I know so many quilters who share beautiful quilts that have been passed down in their families. My small family just are not quilt people. That is why I was so surprised when my mom told me about 15 years ago that she had a big box of quilt blocks that were made by her grandmother. I truly couldn't wait to see what wonderful things were hidden away in that box.
...and just what was in that box? Over 200 Sunbonnet Sue blocks, all in varying colors, condition and workmanship. Really!?! That is it?! As I was the only quilter in the family, my mom asked me if I would make them into quilts for everyone in the family. So I have been slowly (and painfully) sewing them into tops and finishing them up.
I did try and group them into some fun color combinations and making each one unique - this recent finish is made from all the black and red blocks.
All of the embroidery is done by hand and every block is a bit different. But some of the fabrics are so fragile, I am not sure the blocks will survive much use.
Because so many of the fabrics in this quilt were gingham, I decided to just quilt the sashing and borders in a simple crosshatch.
I still have an all blue version waiting to be quilted and the final purple and green version is still just blocks but I am one step closer to having these all out of my house and into my unsuspecting relatives' houses (bwah-ha-ha)!
And I am happy to say this quilt was on my first quarter goals for the 2015 Finish Along with Adrianne at On the Windy Side. Truthfully, I didn't think I would find the determination to finish any more of these. I am pretty happy with this finish!
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15 comments:
I know just what you mean by small family not being quilt people. It will die with me, daughter is not interested in even using one of my quilts let alone making one :-( My mom and her mom did quilt though-that is where I got it from. So kudos to you for sticking with it and making the 'old' blocks into quilts, very nicely done.
I'm the only quilter in my family too. I did inherit an embroidered cushion cover from my grandmother, still trying to figure out what to do with it. My mum wants it revamped into something she can look at everyday.
A box of 200+ quilt blocks from your great-grandmother--lucky you! My grandmother was an avid quilter, but none of her kids or grandkids were the recipients. She had one quilt on her bed that belonged to my great-grandmother, but it mysteriously disappeared after her death (none of my 26 cousins know what happened to it). All I have is ONE 'Grandmother's Flower Garden' block and a little paper bag of small hexies--and I treasure those. Good for you for making the blocks into quilts for your family!
I love how you grouped the colors. While the fabrics may not be the best, it is a beautiful finish. I hope your non-quilty family appreciates all the effort in the blocks and finishing.
Wow, that was a lot of time and effort put into those blocks. I hope that your family appreciates your time making completed quilts out of them!!
Fabulous.Great job!
This is such a wonderful keepsake for whoever you gift it to Cyndy! Isn't is simply amazing to think that your great grandmother made these cute blocks... and all by hand too. It is a shame that some of the fabrics are fragile and that the quilt will need to be treated like the treasure it is. I think you did a wonderful job with color planning and making the Sues into something great!
That is a huge finish in my book. Tough to put all those together for the family. Good for you for getting it done. Think of how wonderful it will be when the last one is done! Yay you!!!
Those are amazing! Isn't it funny how so many of us are not from a quilting family?! Me too! My Grandmother also made some Sunbonnet Sue blocks ~ I'm sure it was the first and last time she did that! My Mom ended up giving one to each of us kids (8) and to a few of her granddaughters. I have mine, my daughters and my Mom's framed and hanging up! Very special and cherished!
Ahh... Sunbonnet Sue! A quilty classic! Given the story behind them (including your chapter!) I'm sure they'll be appreciated by your family members!
Love your (slightly) evil laughter at sending the Sues out the door! I'm soooo not a fan of SS, but appreciate the value of the family connection and the work done by your great grandmother. Kudos to you for sharing her craftsmanship (and yours) with your family, despite your lack of enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Oh, my. 200. I'm not a fan of Sunbonnet Sue, either, but I do remember seeing a quilt one time that showed all the ways she met her demise, and I thought that was pretty funny. But these quilts are special because of the family connection, and I think it's neat that you've spent so much time on them for others. I'm the only quilter in my immediate family (my mom and one of my grandmothers were knitters, but not quilters), but I do have cousins who quilt, so there's some kind of connection from somewhere. My family does like my quilts. At least they seem to; maybe they're just being nice.
My Mother made a Sun Bonnet Sue for my Sister and My bed when we were small around each block was yellow, when I made mine I also did yellow and it makes me smile and think of my Mother, my Sister asked me for one so I did hers only I did navy blue and the blocks stood out My other Sister's was with purple and people she works with wants one. My Mother and Grandmother were quilters.
Great work! I'm sure it felt good to get this one finished!
Oh our Sun Bonnet Sues....I like your crosshatch in the sashing though.
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