Tales of Family Quilts --

The leaves are long gone now up on top of the mountain, and where I couldn’t see the mountains for the leaves on the trees in the summer time – I can now look all around me, and really recognize that the cabin does in fact exist on a ridge and there are mountains in every direction in the distance.

Silent, vast views – standing like sentinels, guarding this precious place I have learned to call home, just as much as my full time home.

Dad and I arrived last night close to 10pm and there was much unloading and putting away of groceries, warming up the cabin by kicking up the flames in the gas fire places, upping the temperature  of the water heater and doing all of those “coming back after a long time away” chores before we could settle in.

Open the blinds.

Plug in the Keurig.

Feed the deer.


Show dad all the changes that have been made since he was here just a year ago.  It helps me to see how much we have accomplished in 12 short months as well. 

I am happy.  I have made this place mine.

A rainy cloudy view this morning--

The smell of bacon and eggs frying are filling the cabin as daddy makes his daughter breakfast while she taps away at the computer.

There could not be a bigger smile on any daughter’s face than the one on mine right now!

This morning I want to share a story that was sent to me by Cindy who has a story to share about a very special quilt.

She writes:

Hi Bonnie -

When you asked the other day if your readers had any "patchwork in an unusual space" I was inspired to share my feedsack quilt with you.  It usually hangs in the small hallway between my kitchen and laundry room where I see it frequently and it is protected from the sun.  But for a few hours in September 2009 this quilt was displayed in a very unusual place.

Cindy’s feed sack quilt

This beauty was made by my mother, and it is full of family connections. My mom did not become a quilter until after she retired and she and my dad moved to North Carolina to be near their grandchildren.  As a Depression Baby herself, she was particularly fond of 30's reproductions and feedsacks. 

On her first trip back to Louisiana after the move she asked my grandmother if she could have her collection of feedsacks.  Except for an occasional apron, my grandmother hadn't made clothing from feedsacks since I was a child.  I have a picture of myself as a toddler knee deep in fabric after pulling her feedsacks out from a lavabeau (washstand).

These feed sacks once held chicken feed that my grandfather fed to his flock.  The feed was purchased at a small country store owned by his brother, who was also my mother's "parrain" (godfather).  My great uncle's wife was my grandmother's sister, making for yet another family connection.

My mother decided on a simple rail fence block to minimize fabric waste.  The sashing, binding, and backing are contemporary fabrics, but the blocks are all various feedsacks.  It is hand quilted, and she quilted a chicken at each intersection as a reminder of the fabric's origin.

My mother completed and gave this quilt to me on November 23, 2000.  This day was significant as it happened to be Thanksgiving Day, her favorite holiday, and the 21st birthday of my eldest daughter, Renee.  Seven months later I was able to get a picture of my mother and grandmother with the quilt when my grandmother, nearly 94, travelled to North Carolina for Renee's wedding.

When my mother died in 2009 I decided not to have a large spray of flowers on her casket.  Not only would she not have approved of the expense (remember, she was a Depression Baby), but my youngest daughter is allergic to many types of flowers.  That's when I came up with the idea of draping her casket with a quilt, just as my dad, a veteran, had his casket draped with the flag. The quilt she made from utilitarian fabrics belonging to her parents seemed the perfect choice.

All through the wake and rosary her quilt draped casket brought smiles and fond memories to the mourners.  It even served as a sort of conversation starter, getting people who previously did not know each other talking and sharing stories about my mother.

My mom saved the few precious scraps left over after making this quilt.  I have them tucked away, and after I retire I plan on making something with them.  Right now I am thinking string pieced pin cushions as a memento for each of my four girls.  One day "the funeral quilt" will drape my casket.  Hopefully that will not be for some time. 

I have four pin cushions and a whole lot of quilts I want to make first.
Cindy in NC

What a wonderful story!  Thank you so much for sharing it, Cindy!

THREE MORE DAYS!!

After putting the cabin in order last night, Dad and I settled in and watched some tv while I continued on the binding for Grand Illusion.  2 sides bound, 2 sides to go!

I only plan on handwork this week so my hope is that I can finish the binding and get some good quilt photos while family is here for the holiday.

Besides that quilt, there are 3 more with binding/sleeves needing to be sewn and a half-added hexagon section that needs to be finished connecting ---

I’m hoping for lots of feet up, movie time and just hanging out with my fave peeps!

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!