April 30, 2011

A whole lotta pink

It's safe to say I have a difficult relationship with the color pink. But I just got this quilt from my grandma and hardly even noticed the pink, it's that awesome.


My grandma says the quilt is an antique. I'm not sure how old that means, and there's no label or anything. It's an alphabet sampler that's been in my grandma's possession for at least 20 years. It used to lay on a twin bed in my grandparents' guest bedroom and I remember studying it for long stretches of time as a girl, figuring out the pictures, and discerning how they were made.


Seeing it again fills me with emotion. I can't wait till our daughter has a bigger bed (it dwarfs her teeny toddler bed) so she can use it. I'm so honored that my grandma gave it to us. When I received it I checked with her that she was ok with us giving the quilt daily use, knowing that it would inevitably see further wear. She said, "Well, I don't see much point to this whole thing if no one uses the quilts we make." I love it! My thoughts exactly.


I think about my own style of applique and how surely this quilt was one of the first appliqued quilts I'd ever seen. I love non-fussy pictorial applique and maybe this quilt has something to do with it. Primacy is powerful.


The piecing and applique and embroidery are all done by hand. It is machine quilted. I wonder about the person who took all these tiny stitches by hand. Was she making it for someone she loved? Did she get to complete her quilt or did the top find its way into another quilter's hands?


The fabric is so very soft, as old quilts get. Most of the colors are still vivid but the green of this tree has faded away completely.


My daughter is already enjoying identifying the pictures. And hiding under it.


I recently learned Grandma's visiting the blog regularly now, so I want to say again, thank you so much Grandma! What a beautiful, loving gift. Thank you for introducing me to the world of quilting, for sending me your scraps, for knowing about everything cool before I do, and for always being so encouraging about the quilts I make. I'm so lucky to know you, learn from you and be loved by you.

19 comments:

Jessica said...

i love the scalloped border~ the pink and white look perfect together.

kelly said...

i absolutely love this. and your grandma's sentiments... YES! quilts are meant to be used and loved!!!

Lynda said...

a lovely story. my grandmother taught me what little I know about sewing I wish she were still with us so I could share my projects with her. I am going to be a grandmother soon, two girls and a boy (all at once!) and intend to share my love of sewing if desired.

tracy_a said...

beautiful!

cathy@home said...

Lovely quilt and lovely that is passed down to someone who will appreciate it

Elsa said...

I love this post, especially the last paragraph. How wonderful to appreciate your Grandmother as much as you do!
I just loved my Grandmother. She brought stability to an otherwise unstable little girl (me) and household whenever she was around. I still miss her, how she smelled like violets and her disapproving of me and the hippy things I did.
Thanks for the memories Christina!

Mama Pea said...

That an awesome treat! I love it. But I love pink! :-) That is surely a treasure.

Gene Black said...

I am totally with Grandma on the quilt - no point making them if they aren't to be used!

I have difficulties with pink also - but I love this quilt.

Keep Stitchin' said...

I love it! Love the quilt, love the post! So glad it's getting used, I agree with your grandmother; they are meant to be used!
I don't have any real issues with any color, but isn't it interesting how you don't notice something when you really like it?

BubzRugz said...

Wonderful gift... a real treasure (the quilt .... and your Grandma.... and the little darling who is enjoying the quilt...)
Hugz

ladychiara said...

What a wonderful gift your Grandma has given you. Both the quilt and such precious memories! How lovely to know it will be treasured and enjoyed by another generation in your family.

Magalis Marisol said...

Hola amiga!!!
Te ha quedado genial!
Felicitaciones!!!
Un fuerte abrazo desde Venezuela!!!!

felicity said...

I kind of love your Grandma. For giving you the quilt, which is indeed amazing, AND for her wonderfully practical response to your question about using it (grandma-ese for "well, duh").

Suzanne said...

Use is one of the highest compliments a quilt receives. I bet I am not alone in thanking your grandma for cultivating your quilting talents. I surely benefit from them.

Pat said...

It's a beautiful quilt! I'm so glad that your Grandma wants it to be used. Enjoy!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

You are so lucky to have that gem of a quilt. When my mom was pregnant with me my grandma made both a Sunbonnet Sue and Fisherman Fred quilt for me (was I going to be a girl or a boy???). When my parents retired and downsized a few years ago I looked everywhere for those quilts, but they are long gone. I wish with all my heart I still have them. When I'm quilting sometimes I think of my grandma who passed away many years ago. I think she'd be proud of the things I've made.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I, too, am not a 'pink' fan, but, that quilt is GREAT! THAT pink I could handle. Enjoy the quilt and the memories.

Kathleen C said...

I just discovered your blog from Victoria's 15 Minutes Play. Your grandmother's alphabet quilt is beautiful, in part because of its simplicity--it makes me want to make one of my one.

quiltmom anna said...

Your alphabet quilt is lovely but the story about you and your gran is even lovelier. My grandmother was a very special person in my life and while she did not teach me to quilt- she showered me with love and stories. She made me appreciate the little things in life that make it special.
I love that your gran celebrates someone using the quilt- I so subscribe to the same belief. I make them for the people that I love to use and wrap themselves in love.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

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