Monday, January 30, 2012

Giveaway...5 Fat Quarters...generations


It's a mystery to me...
How sometimes, sewing and quilting...handwork.. are passed down
thru generations.  And, yet...sometimes those before and/or after
us ...might have NO desire to do handwork at all.  I have loved
 handwork ever since I can remember.  I was making things with
my hands from the time I was about 6 years old.  Throughout my
 lifetime doing handwork has helped me to keep my sanity, find
comfort in down times.  I've met so many wonderful people and
made lifelong friends thru quilting and other handcrafts.

Both my grandmothers and my mother did handwork.  My maternal
 grandmother didn't quilt.  Most of her sewing was out of necessity,
making clothes and items for her home.  I don't know if she ever
did any other handwork besides crochet and sewing.  My paternal
grandmother passed away before I was born so I didn't know her.
I do have a very simple quilt top that she pieced...I feel that a
part of her spirit is in the fabric and threads of this unique top.
I feel like I'm able to "know" her without ever having met her.

I can't imagine how grey my world could've been had I not had
 the opportunity to learn quilting (and handwork) from the women
 before me...and from those that I continue to meet and learn from.



Below are some pictures of "Mother-Daughter"
teams...or stories about quilting that binds
generations.  If you would like to read more
about the stories click on the word "here"

About Us
This daughter-mother team make custom quilts and patterns


Cami, Louise, and the Quilter
A mother-daughter machine quilting company


bonnieandcamille
This mother  and daughter each have their own
quilt pattern companies. HERE


It took 5 generations to finish this quilt.  Each lady worked
on it and then, passed it onto the next generation to add
to the completion of the quilt.
This is quite an interesting story!  HERE


Interview Image
This quilt represent 5 generations of this lady's family.


 
The MYSTERY for this Monday... 
I have some questions for YOU.
To enter to WIN* the FIVE FAT QUARTERS
(in your choice of colors)
....(1) please, be so kind as to answer one or more
of the following questions.  (*must be a follower to win)

Are you the first generation in your family to quilt?
Do you have any memories from YOUR mother
and/or generations before...with regards to  quilting?
Will you pass YOUR love of quilting to your posterity?


~~ contest ends next Saturday Feb 4th midnight MT ~~

======================================


YEAH!!!
Congratulations to our last week's winner!!

~~ GWEN ~~


========================


....tommorrow check back to find out about the
TRAVELING STASH..

57 comments:

Jodi said...

As far as I know, my mom made one quilt in her lifetime. I've made at least ten, so far, and my daughter has made close to ten, probably. As for grandmothers, none that I know of. Great blog you've got here!

B Greene said...

My mom was much too busy in the garden for needlework, but I am more of an indoor-person :-) My grandmothers both did knitting and crochet - we have lots of treasures from them. And, alas, I have two sons who won't be catching the sewing bug, I am afraid. Maybe eventually a granddaughter...

Sallie said...

We have quilts that my mother-in-law and her mother made. My DD has started quilting, too. Thanks for the giveaway!

Needled Mom said...

I love to read stories of hand me down stitchers! My maternal grandmother crocheted, mended and quilted only to be thrifty. My paternal grandmother knitted and attempted piecing. I do have some of her fabrics and a few necessity quilts, but I am the first in my family to actually quilt because I love it. My real stitching started with clothing construction.

regan said...

In the 70's, my father did a little macrame work (I still have a nice wall hanging that he did), but all of my sisters and mother have always prized 'store-bought' items over handwork. Makes me crazy! They've each received a piece of mine (quilts, afghans, knitted christening sets, etc.) and none of it was given any consequence! So they don't get anything now! lol

I only have boys, and grandsons, but I did teach a possible DIL to handpiece a quilt; unfortunately, she turned out to be a psycho (as my son says), and is out of the picture! Oh well!

I guess the handwork legacy starts and ends here with me! :o(

Sarah Craig said...

My mother did not quilt, and my grandmother, who taught me to sew, did not make a quilt during her lifetime as far as I know. My maternal great-grandmother, who I never met, made me a beautiful wedding ring quilt when I was born that I still have today. So I guess I'm really a first generation quilter. My daughter really has no desire to learn how to quilt, but my granddaughter (age 4) already gathers up pieces of fabric from my scraps and "makes" quilts that she then gives to me to send to people who need them "to make them feel better"!! I love it!!

Gill said...

No one else in my family quilts!
My darling Mum used to knit but I can't knit at all!! My daughter has no interest in any type of sewing but I keep hoping!

Susan said...

My mother and grandmother did quilt, although I never saw them do it, and only found out after both were dead. I have a tied snowball top my mother made, and nothing from my grandmother. I did see my mother embroider a lot and when I decided to do that, I found I remembered a lot, though she died when I was 9.

I have passed the love of quilts on to my sons, and one actually sews, though he's not made a quilt. I have taught many others of all ages from 8 to 80 to quilt, so I think that counts. =)

April D said...

*sigh*I don't quilt--YET. I will, though.
My mother has NEVER engaged in anything one could call handwork--I think she's just a product of the 60's. Women were WORKING not at home.
I don't know, but I DO know that none of her sisters really do anything like that, either. Her mother, though, was aMAZING with needle and thread on so many levels.
I am already passing down my love of these things to my three girls, or so I think. :)
Happy Monday, Annie!
~april

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

As far as I know I'm the first to quilt (and new to it myself) but my mother was a tailor (very 'house of the rising sun'!) and she taught me to sew and knit. My paternal grandmother was a great crocheter and my maternal grandmother knitted occasionally but not well1! But she was a great carpenter and gardener. Further back there were embroidrers and knitters and sewers of clothes and household items. I taught my daughters (and sons) to sew and knit when they were young but none of them has quilted yet. Maybe one day :)

Michelle said...

I am the only one in my family lineage that I know of that quilts... though my youngest daughter is showing a keen interest... so fingers crossed she can carry it on!

The Village Queen said...

I started quilting because we have 2 Grandmothers flower garden quilts my great aunt made. I figured if she could hand make quilts while raising many kids etc. I ought to be able to make one hand made quilt. Pretty much done except for some fill in hand quilting, its only been 12 years. I have made a bunch of machine quilts though! I hope to teach my neice when she shows some interest, and I sure hope she does at some point. My mom never quilted but she did make my clothes as a little girl and she knits. So there is crafty genes in all of us. Except my sister who sends me her mending and button replacements!

Christine M said...

Neither of my grandmothers or mother quilted. In fact the joke in our family is that my mother can't even thread a needle! I have three boys so I don't think my love of quilting will be continuing. Although the two youngest have had a go. Hopefully I'll have a granddaughter or even a DIL one day so I can teach them.

Lisa England said...

The only quilter I know of in my family is my maternal grandmother's sister. There are several artists in the family, so maybe I got a bit of that gene. In my husband's family there are multiple generations of quilters including my mother-in-law. But neither of my husband's sisters quilt. And none of the men in either family do. We DO have lots of people in both families who APPRECIATE quilts. I don't know if I will be able to pass the skills down or not since I only have a son and he doesn't seem inclined. Maybe he will marry someone I can teach. Or maybe I can teach my only niece.

Susan said...

I am a follower. My mother was a beginning quilter, she died while making her first quilt. My grandmother was a quilter and I am blessed to have four of her quilts. My greatgrandmother was a quilter and i have three of her quilts. I have quilted for more than thirty years and love it more each day. I am passing it on to my daughters and nieces as well. I hope to pass it on to my granddaughters as well. Thanks for the give-away.

Love Of Quilts said...

My grandmother and all her daughters quilted while they were at home growning up.... two of them went on to be quilters. My mom made two quilt tops that I knew of and gave them both too me to quilt. I quilted one of them and gave it to my youngest sister I still have the other one. I have done a few quilts and my oldest granddaughter is now wanting to learn to quilt she has made one quilt so far.

Emma said...

My paternal grandmother quilted. I never saw her do it, but I do have two of her hand-sewn small quilts hanging on the wall here in my sewing room. They are very special to me, and I love them so much.

My mom didn't quilt, but she did make a lot of my clothes as a kid. And my dad did needlework when I was young - he was president of our town's needlework guild when I was in kindergarten, I think. I know he was president when I was young, not 100% sure of the year it was.

robin said...

My mom got an interest in quilting when she was fighting breast cancer when I was in my teens. She started a quilt for my sister. Then she died. Grandma found some local ladies to finish the quilt, and my sister has it. Then I guess Grandma felt sorry for me, and gave me a quilt her mother had made. Colorful, with tulip applique. I LOVE it. So I guess I'm fourth generation (that I know about) and my 14 year old daughter just finished her very first quilt yesterday. :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

First congratulations to Gwen! I'm not sure how far back the quilting went as We can trace back to the original Paternal/Maternal families to their home countries. A lot of miliners, leather workers, carpenters, farmers, and military. The women sewed as a family necesity. The only 'known' quilter was my great-grandmother (maternal) who I had a wonderful connection with. My mother of course is a professional, I am self taught, and my daughter (30) has been quilting for a few yrs. now. And now I am having fun teaching and sharing with my SIL.

Irina said...

I am the first quilter in my family but definitely not the first sewist! I think my mum passed me the love for sewing and handwork and I decided to try patchwork and quilting among other things. I will pass this on to my children for sure! I loved reading all those stories! thanks for sharing them!

Chiska said...

My Mom made some quilts and is always making something--but she doesn't like to sew as much. I'm definitely trying to pass it on to my children. My little girl loves to lay out bits of fabric and today I let her use the rotary cutter (with my help). My little boy just likes to ask me to make things, but when he was smaller he'd climb up on my lap when I was quilting and help me with a couple of stitches. I still love that memory. They both like climbing onto my lap when I'm sewing--which I have mixed feelings about. I like that they are interested though.

Brenda said...

Quilting skipped some generations in my family. My maternal Great Grandma was a quilter. I was lucky enough to get a box of Hummingbirds from her (I posted them on my blog) that was handed down to my Grandma and was lucky enought to be bought by my little Sister at Grams estate sale. Since I am the only one out of 5 girls that is interested in antiques and quilting, they found their way to me... along with half of one of her quilts! Barbara Brackman helped me find the pattern to complete the quilt, and soon I will be finishing it for her. How cool is that??? :)

My son had an antique baby bed when he was little. My maternal Grandma (with the help of 2 of my Aunts) made her first and only quilt for him. The best gift that he would receive from his shower! :) Other than that... she didn't quilt, but she had mentioned wanting to see her Mother's Hummingbird quilt finished.

My Mom is great at embroidery. Super talented! I have many fond memories of hearing the thread swish through the fabric...

I don't know much about my Dad's side except that they were all artists in some form from drawing to apparel design.

My son always is looking over my shoulder. In high school, he took home ec and was very good with the machine. But his artistic endeavors lean towards jewelry making and wood art. He loves family history and heirlooms, so my treasures will carry on. As for future generations... Time will tell! ;)

Becky said...

My dear sweet Grandma made quilts,I never did.she made lovely ones,it her gorgeous lovlies that I always think about when I want to try and learn to make one.I hope Im lucky!

Dawn said...

I am the only one in my family that quilts. My mother did teach me to sew but my skills far surpassed hers by the time I was in high school. The only sewing I want to do now is quilt, though I did make my daughter's Homecoming dress. She, of course, is more interested in You Tube than in sewing! Maybe when she gets older.

Patti said...

My mom taught me sew, she did a lot of garment sewing, especially when my sister and I were young. She even made our barbie's clothes. But I am the first generation to quilt, my son has done a bit of sewing, but I am hoping for a daughter-in-law someday that I can share with.

Rhonda said...

I am the first generation of my family to quilt. I can only dream of one of my kids following my footsteps when it comes to anything sewing.

Barb Neiwert said...

My mother knitted and couldn't sew a hem to save her life. But my grandmother was an entirely different story. She was from the vintage of hand-piecing quilts, and then hand quilting them. Hand cutting - no rotary blades or anything. Just left-over scraps of fabric from clothes, a bit of thread, and lots of time. As I have become obsessed with quilting lately, I often think how thrilled she would be of all the wonderful, gorgeous colors and patterns and textures available to choose from. I'm just sorry she can't be here right now to experience that. But she did instill in me a desire to touch my creative side, and create.

CathyC said...

I believe I am the first to start quilting. My Mother didn’t quilt, but passed on her love of handmade things by teaching me to knit and crochet. I don’t have any children of my own, but I hope to pass on my love of handmade things to my nieces & great nieces.

Lorri said...

My paternal grandmother quilted and I spent many hours watching her over the frames that were hung from the ceiling in her old farmhouse. Ive loved it ever since. I have pieced many many tops, but have just begun to quilt in earnest. My mother was not a quilter, but did sew all of our clothing and she did handwork. She never allowed us to learn. Her standard answer was that we would learn in home economics. So, I learn by fire after I was married. No lessons, just a memory of standing by and watching. I have made and continue to make lots of mistakes, but really enjoy the process of quilting. I have tried to interest my girls with limited sucess. They do not see the benefit of learning, they are too busy running companies! If the hem is torn they take it to the cleaners or replace it. I just have to shake my head and wonder at the extravagance. I have an extra machine that I have tried to give them, each one has turned it down, so will keep it on hand for someday when the bug bites them.

Jocelyn said...

As far as I know, I am the only member of my family that has ever quilted. My mother never sewed, but she did do crochet. My daughter is not interested in quilting, but she has learned to crochet. I never learned to crochet, but I do a little knitting and cross stitch. So who gets what is a mystery to me!

quilary said...

I'm pretty sure that I'm the first quilter in my family. I have 'handiwork' that my mother did, embroidered doilies, table cloths and dressingtable sets. Mum had some dresses made for me when I was about 12 or 13 and I realised then, that all I needed was a pattern, fabric and the sewing machine and off I went making my own clothes - and that was the start of it all!

Quiltin' Sandy said...

I am the only one in my family to have quilted. My mother only did a little embroidery on doileys. My grandmother did crochet, my aunt made clothes for her family. I taught myself to knit and crochet when my first child was small, I sewed some of our clothes as well, and took up counted cross-stitch which I enjoyed. But THEN I discovered quilting and everything since has been put aside. I love quilting/applique. Unfortunately neither of my daughters are interested in learning. :(

Sue Daurio said...

My maternal grandmother quilted. She also made us bean bags out of extra squares. I make bean bags for my grandkids too! My mother didn't quilt, but she did sew. She loved to make clother. Fancy dresses for the girls, dress shirts for my dad. I don't like to make the clothes, but share my mothers love of a good machine and nice fabric. I have four girls, not one of them is interested in sewing. They are interested in getting quilts though! But I didn't start quilting until my early 40s so maybe they will grow into it, I'm not giving up hope yet!

KatieQ said...

Neither of my grandmothers quilted. My mother and her sisters crocheted and embroidered. In addition, my Aunt Ceil also tatted. One of my cousins tried quilting for a while, but I am the only quilter in the family. My daughter has absolutely no interest in quilting so unless I have a grandchild someday, I may be the last of the breed.

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Although both of my grandmothers and my mother sew...I've never heard of a quilter in my birth family. My in-laws are wonderful quilters.

Every since kindergarten I've wanted to have something in my hands to work on and embroidery was my first introduction to stitching.

Smiles,
Kelly

Miki Willa said...

My mother and grandmother both did a lot of handwork, but didn't quilt. My grandmother made clothes, knitted, and wove cloth. My mother made clothes and did tons of other crafty things. My daughter is not at all interested in quilting, but my granddaughter loves fabric and all things quilty. She is almost four and already has her own stash and design board.

LimeRiot said...

Awww, what a lovely post. My mother is a very creative lady and has always encouraged my crafty endeavors. She was never a quilter or knitter though so I've learned those skills thanks to the support of online and in-person communities. My paternal grandmother was great at crochet and I wish I had learned from her while I still had a chance. I never met my maternal grandmothe but I believe I inherited my abilities to throw and attend cocktail parties from her :).

Kira said...

My mom sewed before I was born. Her skill included apparel and some piecing. I taught myself to sew after my first baby was born. Now she's ten and completed her first quilt. She did the entire thing, notwithstanding the binding, on her own.

Jennie P. said...

I am or "will be" first generation. It's a shame, I would have loved to learn from my mother or grandmother. My grandmother's did sew, but did not quilt.

I plan on trying to teach my nieces quilting once I get a good handle on it myself. I have already gotten my eldest niece interested in sewing. I'm not expert but I could teach her a few things.

Unknown said...

My Grandmother and Mom quilted some back in the day. I didn't know this until I was grown and took an interest in quilting. I hope to pass the quilting on to the younger generation.

I'm a follower. :)

Anonymous said...

My Grandmother,Mother,Aunts all quilted and probably those before them did too! I have a hand made quilt of my Grandmothers>Precious! They used both hand and machine stitching when I was growing up and today I do too.
Happy Quilting to you!

Heartsdesire said...

My mother was a seamstress extraordinaire. She made suits, coats and even hats. She loved making dresses and then changing them into something else. But quilting was not something she ever tried. I used to sew dresses for my young daughters, but once I learned to quilt, I thought of nothing else. I had hoped to pass this passion on to my daughters, but they don't seem to be interested. However, my 18-year-old granddaughter IS showing signs of interest. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. What else am I going to do with all this fabric?

Beth said...

My mother's mother quilted with the same group of ladies from her church for over seventy years. Can you imagine? My mom made only one quilt, for a co-worker's baby. Oh, how I wish I had that quilt! She was a fantastic seamstress, and made many, many dresses for me when I was growing up. I have vivid memories of her sewing late into the night.

I'm the family quilter right now, and in the next generation we have an excellent seamstress who dabbles in quilts. I'm hoping that my great-niece, who is a very domestic four year old, will turn into the next passionate quilter in our family.

Richard Healey said...

I am the first in my family to quilt (the first man any way) I started quilting a month ago. My wife refuses to touch a sewing machine and my mother and mother in law in more then 40 years neither have quilted (though I have a couple quilts from a great grand mother). So I am the first and hopeful will pass the tradition onto my kids. My blog http://richardquilts.blogspot.com you can find the crazy story about me and my new quilting passion.

Janet said...

My mother sewed clothes but didn't quilt. I have no evidence that there has ever before been a quilter in my family. I am slowly making some headway into getting my girls interested in quilting - hope is not lost yet that this will be passed on.

Kathy S. said...

I have wonderful memories of my grandma always having her quilting frame up with a quilt on it in her diningroom. She had limited mobility and quilted a TON! She would win a grand prize ribbon at the Ohio State Fair almost every year for one of her quilts or crochet projects. I also remember that when my toy "Lambsie" would need stitched that I knew where to go. I was sooooo young and never really got to appreciate her craftsmanship until after she passed. Love ya, Grandma... and thanks!

Michele said...

My mom never quilted but when we were little she made some dresses for us girls. My maternal grandmother made Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, which I didn't know about until after she passed away, and my paternal grandmother made crochet afghans for practicaly everyone. I learned too after she passed that she did some quilting though I haven't seen any of them. My aunt and uncles have them all but I hope to be able to chekc out her work one day. As far as passing down my love to my kids, I sure hope so.

Mom C said...

My Mom had a quilt on quite often. She tied whole cloth quilts, she didn't have time to piece. She would quilt several rows around the edges to tie things down, she would say, and then tie the rest. She sewed lots of clothes (there were 8 of us to keep in dresses and shirts). I played under the quilt frames and learned to tie more ways than you can count. I can tie a quilt as fast as anyone I know, thanks to her.

Marcia W. said...

We have quilts that 2 of my great grandmothers made (paternal and maternal). I know that paternal and maternal great aunts made quilts too, as did my maternal grandmother, and aunts on both sides. My mother has been making quilts for more than 65 years and hooked me on quilting. Now, when we babysit my grandnieces, I let them pull the needle through a quilt, put the presser foot down on sewing machine, punch holes in my papers for hexagons, and use the scissors to cut dollie diapers. At ages 3 and 6, we are encouraging them to "help us." We purchased a sewing basket full of goodies for one of my nieces (my SIL gave her a machine), and she seems to be getting into pinterest. Maybe she will decide to learn to sew soon. I am a follower and would love to win some fqs to use for hexies.

Barbara said...

My grandmother made fabulous quilts, and I'm sure I inherited my love of quilting from her. I can remember her showing her quilts to me and my mother and how much I loved the colors and shapes. It was fun to find fabrics from dresses my mother and I wore and from clothing my mother wore long before I came along.

My mother was not a quilter, but she was an excellent garment seamstress. She made all my clothes when I was a little girl, and she made my wedding dress when I got married. She sewed throughout her life, and she taught me most of what I know about sewing.

I didn't start quilting until 2008, but I was always fascinated with quilting. I'm so glad I learned because it has become a passion and an obsession.

I would dearly love to pass it along to anyone who would like to learn. I hope to have a granddaughter some day who might like to learn, or even my daughter-in-law when her life is less busy. Heck, I'd even teach my sons if they were the slightest bit interested!

Linda Big D said...

My paternal grandmother was a great quilter, but the only one I have of hers is the baby quilt she made for me (and well used by me and my 2 brothers). We also had a grandmother's flower garden quilt but it was torn up by a dog, I think. I have been working on my own grandmother's flower garden, in her memory. I've taught my daughter a little sewing, so she might be a quilter some day.

hueisei said...

I think im the first one and the only one. No one else in my family quilts! My mum used to crochet. If I have a daughter in the future, i am sure will teach her to sew/quilt :)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

My mother isn't crafty at all. My paternal grandmother sewed clothes, but, her mother and her sisters quilted. I have one of my great grandmothers quilts. I wasn't interested in learning how to sew while my grandmother was alive. I only learned how to quilt (now sew clothes) a little over 10 years ago. I'm mostly self taught. My youngest son (now 18) made a quilt using my hubby's grandmothers fabric when he was 12. All my guys appreciate what goes into quilting. PS: If I win, it will be a birthday present for me!

Sis-O said...

I found out after I began to quilt that my maternal great grandmother used to make quilts (lost when her home washed into the bayou during hurricane Audrey). My maternal grand mother did not make quilts . My Mother began to quilt in earnest after she retired. She brought me in to the fold.

Wendy said...

I am a follower from "way" back. My mom never quilted, but I used to sit and stitch with my "Gran". Some of my most favourite memories...

Karen M said...

I started hand piecing four-patch quilt blocks at my grandmother's knee as she sewed like crazy on her machine. I have several quilts that she made. All have been well loved and much used. Unfortunately, they are not in good condition. I just can't get rid of them, though. I have a Grandmother's Garden of hexes that my mother started. I have picked it up and added to it several times, but hand piecing is just not my thing. I will have to do something about getting that finished. I never taught my daughter to quilt (shame on me) as her talents took her in a different direction. It is up to me to get my quilting projects (and my mother's) finished so they can be loved and used.

Barb said...

I am a first generation quilter! I hope to pass it on, we will see!