Here is something I spread out recently to check out as it's been in storage for years. This is a quilt that my Grandmother made a LONG time ago.
It's hard to describe though. One side is made up of random fabric squares, probably from old clothing and fabric scraps.
Just a random collection of them sewed together. The filling between the front and back is also very heavy. But when you flip it over, the other side is...
...made up of my Grandfather's old jeans and overalls! You can even see where there were repairs made once upon a time.
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| Old blue jeans and overalls quilt |
So the entire other side is just squares of blue jeans, khaki colored overalls and even the traditional blue striped ones (those are the ones I most often remember him wearing). Needless to say, this is HEAVY, but I remember when I was little and visited them, this was my favorite one to sleep under.
It's a different kind of quilt than you might normally see, not even sure what you'd call it other than random patchwork. We have a bunch of the more traditional quilts as well, flowers, kittens, dutch girls/boys, stars, etc. we'll share pictures of them on the blog as we pull them out.
Love old quilts with so many memories.
What a wonderful keepsake; normally called a patch quilt; a quilt with a top layer made of small pieces of cloth in different designs, colors, or textures sewn together.
ReplyDeleteThey are made heavy to keep a person nice and snuggly, warm and cosy during the cold winter months.
A patch quilt? Thanks!!! It's definitely heavy and warm. And very comforting. :-)
DeleteThat's a great quilt. The patches (not from your grandfather's clothes) might have come from dresses or other things that she made.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
That's true, she was always keeping scraps here and there. Thanks for this!
DeleteI've heard them called service quilts. Put together from any fabric available, nothing went to waste.
ReplyDeleteService quilts? Wow such a great name too. Thanks for that. Definitely made of everything, ha.
DeleteI know quilts like this as 'crazy quilting/patchwork'. So called because there is no repeated pattern or motif. An incredible memento of lives well lived.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to describe it, there isn't really a pattern or motif it's just randomly put together. I like the way you described it as a memento of lives well lived.
DeleteThe jean material probably makes it very heavy. My daughter made one from jeans and the weight of it makes you feel warmer.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's true. But I do like the heavier weight of it too, something very comforting about it. And warmer for sure.
Deletehow nice to find a part of your childhood!
ReplyDeleteThanks it is a great memory.
Deletehow wonderful to have this family keepsake!
ReplyDeletethanks, yep we'll definitely have to keep this around for as long as we are. Of course with no kids, we have to figure out who to pass it on to, ha.
DeleteThat is totally awesome! You must be able to almost feel your Grandfather when look at it or touch it. You're lucky to have such a tangible part of him as well as your Grandmother cause you automatically think about the creator of the wonderful quilt and how often she would have handled all of those materials.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yep it's memories in every stitch. I can't wait to share some of the other quilts we have from them too.
DeleteThat is a wonderful family-memory quilt. Many women made their own clothes back then, so I think the one side has leftovers from her sewing projects or even pieces of her worn out clothes - showing her practicality and thriftiness. With the other side made from your grandpa’s jeans and overalls, this quilt is a special picture of both of your grandparents. With your warm memories of snuggling under it as a child, it is a beautiful family heirloom.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my mom made clothes for our family. When my sister and I were getting married, she made a quilt for each of us, using those leftover fabric scraps, incorporating them into a design. We love looking at our quilts, remembering each item of clothing that our mom lovingly made for us.
Yes, she always had leftover scraps and kept old dresses and clothes in case she needed them. What a great gift that your Mom made for your marriages. Such tangible memories.
DeleteThat's really nice, the memories make it special. I sew quilts and give them as gifts, I hope they are appreciated and kept for many years. Looking forward to seeing your other quilts.
ReplyDeleteHi there!!! Thanks for this comment. I get your quilts are beautiful, I'm so envious of those who make quilts they are so lovely. I will share the other quilts along the way when we get them out.
DeleteSo wonderful you still have it! Certainly you'll enjoy it for years. I am in possession of my grandparents old Sears and Roebuck metal bed circa 1916.I remember my grandmother (and I) needed to use a stepstool to climb in it together. Some of my best Irish Grannie memories. Every time my grandson spends the night I tell him about the beds history, so he can bore HIS grandkids one day :)
ReplyDeleteOh I bet that bed is amazing. How exciting to have THAT memory. And passing memories from one generation to the next, well that's the ultimate gift.
DeleteThat is a crazy quilt. Some crazy quilts had curved pieces and the seams were sewn and decorative embroidery was on the seams. Please don't fold your quilt, roll it. The creases will soon give way to threads that will split along the crease. Or, unfold it twice a year and refold on different lines each time. Look up information on keeping a quilt viable for centuries.
ReplyDeleteI love that she used what she had. My mother grew up during the Depression and they wasted nothing. She had quilts her grandmother, born in 1880 made from such scraps of cloth.
Rolling it? WOW. I had no idea, what a great idea. Of course everyone seems to fold because that's natural inclination. I will look that up. Thank you. I can't imagine quilts from the 1800's that's wonderful.
DeleteHow wonderful! You are so fortunate to have heirloom quilts. I look forward to seeing the others in your collection.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yep, we have more, they are in storage containers (safe from vermin, ha) but we'll get them out to share.
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