Reunion Quilts, Revisited

If you've been following our blog since last year, you may remember that I (Teri) shared the story of how quilts are an intrinsic part of our family reunions each year. To read that story, read the post Reunion Quilts.

Alas, I still have not come home with one of the family quilts, but quite a few happy family members did. It is such a joy to see that my family appreciates the love that is put into these quilts. I know that every creation is cherished for the care put into it.

    

When we first arrive at the pavilion, all of the quilts are placed on tables with a numbered sign-up sheet for each age group. Numbers are drawn to see who will win the door prizes.

About mid-afternoon, after our meal and some visiting, the drawings begin. I love that the three quilts made for the youngest age groups were story-related: Winnie the Pooh was in the baby quilt, and the Peanuts gang and the Grinch were stitched onto the next two quilts. 

This quilt is a special one; it is known as our traveling quilt. It was made in 2002 by all the members of the family who were in attendance at the reunion that year. Each family created a block, and the "family quilting ladies" put it together and quilted it. A rack was donated, and each year, someone wins the honor of having the quilt for a year. It returns the following June and then goes to a new home. I'd love to know the stories of family that this quilt could tell—it certainly is a quilt with history! This year, my dad won it. Doesn't he look pleased?

The moment we all wait for with bated breath is the unveiling of The Quilt. This year's quilt was a stunning design called "Peeking Poppies," with vibrant colors and striking contrast. Here it is, surrounding by its makers: my great-aunts and second (and maybe some third) cousins. They gather every Tuesday afternoon and evening to stitch together. Yes, I'm a bit envious, and I wish I lived closer. How wonderful a tradition they have! The love they share for the art of quilting combined with their love for family is a blessing—both for them and for those of us who receive their gifts.

Isn't it lovely?!

There is always a heart-shaped label on the back, which tells the quilt's story.
Here, this year's quilt is presented to its happy winner. 

My great-aunt brought this to share with us: my great-grandfather's Confirmation Certificate from 1898.
I can see a couple of lovely appliqué design inspirations in this beautiful document!

 

This sampler was made by my grandmother. How she loved our family reunions, which sometimes fell on her birthday, making them that much more special to her. Though she is now resting in Heaven, I feel her presence each year at our reunion, and I can hear her laughing with delight as each member of the family walks up to pick up a cherished quilt. And the stories in these quilts will live on for generations. What a legacy these women have given to us!

What To Do With the Past

How many of us have doilies and linens that we have inherited from our mothers and grandmothers? I (Kara) have accumulated quite a few over the years. Whether they were given to me as gifts from my grandmother or whether I picked them up on my thrift/antique store adventures, my pile is quite large.

My collection

But the question is, what do I do with them all? My grandmother and great-grandmother, and even my great-great-grandmother spent a lot of time and energy on creating these beautiful works of art. Even if I used them in my home decor on a rotating basis, I would still not be able to adequately show them off in a way they deserve. So instead, they languish away in drawers, boxes, and cedar chests. 

A tablecloth my grandmother started

It's been on the back of my mind to do something with them all, but lack of time and energy has prevented that from happening. Recently, I became a member of the Facebook group, Quilting Vintage, and have been inspired by the amazing things that machine quilters and long-armers have been doing with vintage linens of all kinds. 

I have also searched through Pinterest for doily re-purposing ideas, and I was bit overwhelmed at all the creative options I found. 

Doily pillow from "Ode to Inspiration"

What a gorgeous use of color for these doilies by Sadie Seasongoods

This lovely quilt can be seen at "V and Co."and in the book Make It Sew Modern: Gather, Twist, Pleat, Texture

The above ideas are just a few creative ways that I've found to use doilies, but I think I will put my inherited doilies in a quilt. When I came across these inspirational quilts from Suziqu's Threadworks, I was in awe.

I love the use of velvet as a background

The neutral palette is beautiful

So many different types of needlework were used in this quilt

Now that I have some inspiration, I will need to sort through my collection and plan. I really like the idea of a neutral background in taupes, tans, and beiges. I think that this project will be one that has to be fluid and dictated by the doilies themselves, since they vary so much in size, color, and style.

What a variety!

The doily on the right is a classic pineapple design

My great-great grandmother made these adorable filet-crochet animals.

Handmade crocheted trim

A lovely cuff made by a friend

A sweet bib

Do you have vintage linens stashed away somewhere just waiting for new life? I love the idea of using these doilies, made by my grandmothers' hands, and giving them another story. Hopefully you will be inspired to create something with your collection and visit some of the pages we have linked here. If you have already re-purposed your doilies and vintage linens, please share your creativity. We'd love to see it!

Apron Strings

Apron: A piece of clothing worn on the front of the body over clothes to keep them from getting dirty.

This is Webster's definition of an apron, but growing up, my sister and I (Kara) had a different definition for the apron. Aprons were the springboard for some amazing fashion pieces that she and I created using the collection of aprons that our grandmother had. To set the stage for how we were able to attempt this next new fashion movement, I should share more about my Grandma Killian.

Grandma Killian lived in St. Joseph for most of her life and had even been a Blossomland queen when she was young. A picture of her as the Blossomland queen is painted on the carousel at Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan.

Alice Merson (my grandmother) at the blessing of the blossoms

Another pageant picture

The Silver Beach Carousel

My grandma when she lived on the Lake

Grandma was a widow during the time I knew her, and during that time she lived in an apartment right on Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Michigan. We would visit her every summer and spend a few weeks at a time with her, usually without our parents since we lived so far away. She loved living right on the lake and had an impressive collection of beach glass and interesting rocks. (Okay, the interesting rock collection might have been from all the rocks my sister and I brought up from the beach.) 

We loved to visit her for so many reasons. What could be more fun than spending summer days on Lake Michigan? Her apartment complex had a pool and a massive set of steps that led to the beach. My sister and I would spend our days going from the pool to the beach and back again—sometimes with cousins and parents, but most of the time we were on our own.

Shenanigans at the pools

Hanging out with cousins on the diving board

When we were tired of the beach and pool, we would hang out in the apartment and spend time in her spare bedroom where we slept.  The bottom drawer of the dresser in there held a treasure trove of aprons of all sizes, fabrics, and types.  We would create some of the most divine garments (at least in our eyes) and then force any adult present to sit through a fashion show. We spent hours with those aprons. My aunts don't remember that Grandma set out to collect aprons but believe her collection must have just accumulated over time. As the wife of the county prosecuting attorney, entertaining and cocktail parties were part of their daily lives, and during the '40s an '50s, the apron was sometimes a fashion accessory.  My grandfather, as an attorney for the local fruit farmers, was often given fruits and vegetables as payment. My grandma would then can the payment, so some of her aprons were functional as well.

Now I have started a collection of my own aprons. Most of the aprons have been purchased at antique stores or thrift stores. I've tried to vary the types I purchase when it comes to the fabric and the style.

My collection so far

I love the uniqueness of the pockets on this one.

This crocheted beauty probably wasn't very practical, but very sweet nonetheless.

A beautifully embroidered Colonial Lady

In my mind, my grandma's aprons symbolize the carefree weeks we spent with her. She loved us so much and allowed us to make some pretty big messes with those aprons. I don't know if I will have granddaughters who will spend hours playing with my aprons and making memories, but at least they will be there if I do. What do you have that is a special reminder of your grandma?

My drawer full of aprons

Inspiration for a Baby Quilt

Another baby is on the way! Grandchild #3 is expected to arrive in November, and I (Teri) am thrilled to have a little girl joining our family. One of life's greatest joys is being a grandma! If you've followed the blog for the past few months, you may remember that my "baby quilts" tend to be more like toddler quilts. Isaac received his Thing 1 and Thing 2 quilt on his first birthday, and Jacob had to wait until he turned two for his Cat in the Hat quilt. Time will tell when my granddaughter will receive her quilt. But I'm already thinking and looking for inspiration.

I love to stroll through antique malls. Often, I buy nothing. But I take lots of pictures, especially if I find something that makes my heart sing . . . usually fiber-related. Some recent gems are in the forefront of my mind as I think of quilt possibilities for our new baby girl. This dress caught my eye; it is a simple beauty with so much care put into the embroidered touches. Sometimes, the love shines through those kinds of details.

Obviously, this is not a quilt, but I just love the care put into this darling little dress. The embroidered flowers are dear, and doesn't the feather stitch on the sleeves and bodice add charm? I love that I can think of dresses!

How cute is this embroidered animal quilt? Each block is a different animal, stitched in a rainbow of colors. How fun this must have been for a little one to study each of these little critters. Perhaps they might have been given names, or become the characters in stories told in the nursery. So many possibilities for such a sweet quilt.

This next quilt is one that I wish I would have bought. I actually went back to the antique mall hoping it was still there, but someone else was smarter than I and bought it. Powder puff pink is not my favorite color, and I am not a cat person, but this appliquéd and embroidered quilt is just beyond special. The design is ingenious; each unique little kitten is sitting on a stem, perched on a calyx. I confess that it took me a second to "get it" and realize that I was looking at pussy willows. How I wish I'd have bought this treasure!

Adorable vintage pussy willow quilt, appliquéd and embroidered; tied with floss.

When I was a little girl, my grandmother had the book called The Little Red Hen, which I can still hear her reading in my mind. She would also tell us a different story about the red hen being captured by a sly fox. Not long ago, I found a copy of an old book with that story, ironically printed about the time my grandmother was born (over a hundred years ago.) Being the lover of stories that I am, wouldn't it be fun to create a Red Hen inspired quilt, based on the illustrations in the book? 

 

My last source of inspiration is a baby quilt that I received for my youngest son when he was born—my son, who is the father of this new little granddaughter. I was teaching fourth grade at the time, and this sheep quilt was a gift from my class, lovingly made by the mom of one of my students. At the time, I knew nothing of quilt making. I knew that this quilt was amazing and beautiful, but I had too little appreciation for all the love that went into making such a gift. I do now, and I wish I could let her know that I still cherish this gift.

Patchwork sheep. Each face is hand quilted; the rest is machine quilted. 

The baby quilt in the doll bed that my great-grandfather made for my mom when she was a little girl. Three generations have played with this doll bed, and it is waiting for a fourth to enjoy it. My great-grandmother stenciled the bed and made the crocheted cushion under the doll.

The possibilities are endless. Stay tuned to see what quilt my new granddaughter will receive. Maybe she will actually get a BABY quilt!