Even though Grandma Ruby Neal and her daughters quilted since the Dark Ages, I never tried it even though I did a lot of sewing, especially after joining 4-H. Mom sewed but she didn’t quilt.
So I didn’t made my first quilt until Guy was stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. I joined a group of women, about half military wives, half locals. June Elliott and Margie Savala got me started with the pattern, a variation of Dresden Plate, and neighbor Ethyl Baldwin also helped. They all must have contributed scraps of fabric for the project.
All stitched by hand, Mountain Home, Idaho, 1968. 70 ” x 94″
Reminds me of my grandmother’s and mother’s quilts.
Do any of them still exist? I took them for granted as a kid, but I don’t anymore.
Homespun crafts that are being lost. I hope some younger people learn all this!
It would be fun to teach my granddaughter, since her mother doesn’t sew, but my hands are clumsy at it anymore.
She could more and likely catch on, despite a bit of clumsiness. 😉
You’re right. It might even be a good thing.
What a lovely room! All the heirloom elements work so well together.
Thank you, Liz. Not one stick of furniture goes with the others, but I’m so content with it all.
You’re welcome, Joy. None of my hand-me-down furniture matches, and I like it that way!
We started out with some matching furniture and discovered that it was nice, but not very fun. These days, we’re the third couple to enjoy a couch and a couple of tapestry chairs.
No doubt, a good memory.
Thank you, Allen. Right before Guy was ordered to Vietnam.
Dan’s mom, Gertie Vander Ploeg (born 1919) made many, many quilts in her lifetime. Each grandchild received one at graduation. Because Olivia (her youngest grandchild) would not graduate until Gertie was 97, she planned ahead and made several quilts while she was still “young”….about 90! One of my favorite quilts that she made was made with old, beautiful handkerchiefs. I thought it was a perfect way to preserve something that was no longer used. On another note, I LOVE that bed in your photo!
Oh Lynne, thank you for your lovely note! I was disappointed growing up that I didn’t know anyone with an attic, not even my grandparents. Maybe that’s why I married Guy!
Love every bit of this, Joy — what a beautiful vignette! Everything looks gorgeous and I must admit, I’m a fan of gorgeous iron beds. Thank you for sharing…Clabe and Leora MUST be smiling. I know I am! 🥰
Neither grandmother had an attic. Perhaps that’s one reason I married my Guy? Thank you, Vicki!
🥰🥰🥰
You are a woman of many talents! The iron bed is so narrow compared to the queen and King-sized beds of today. 🙂
We arrived here with a queen, but had to give it up because of no room for it in the 1957 ranch! Two decades ago we remodeled and added onto the back of the house. Because our son and his wife are so tall, the old living room is now a extra bedroom, with a queen-sized bed.
So beautiful! It reminds me of a quilt my college roommate created. She brought it with her when we share a boarding house room in Ocean City New Jersey. That quilt smelt like sea breeze. What a comforting memory! Thank you!
My, what a beautiful memory! I’m so glad you shared it.
Beautiful
Just beginning at that point, clumsy stitches. Not up to those your wife has made, but I got better through the decades. And had fun with it!
Having heirlooms that are nice is wonderful, physical reminders of the wonders of deceased family. Quilting is fabulous.
Thank you, Tim. And heirlooms with stories are the best ones!
Your Dresden Plate quilt is so lovely, as well as all the other beautiful elements in this room. I always thought you learned to quilt from Carla Hassel as I did. Dresden plate was the first quilt I contributed to after joining the GIQF.
This one was BDWB (before Dan was born), but Carla’s techniques were the best!
It is a beautiful room with beautiful heirlooms! Just exquisite!
Thank you, Linda. Nothing matches but it sure makes me happy the way it is.