Three Generation Quilt

They lived down a country lane that looped around a large grove of trees that served as a wind break for folks living on the east side. Early mornings, when Grandpa went out to feed the hogs and cows, Grandma had already been up preparing the day's meal and baking pies. Her signature Coronet Braid was visible at the crown of her head, with curls tucked neatly into the braid. She wore an apron each day that she certainly had sewn. My husband remembers that his Grandmother was "a great cook, proud, loving, and always being there."

At one time she practiced applique, using some of the fabric remnants from her apron projects. She hand-stitched and embroidered these flowers and baskets onto flour sack squares. With much to do on their small farm, the eight completed squares were put in a drawer for safe-keeping until she could find time to work them into a quilt project.

Her daughter (my husband's Aunt) pieced the quilt top soon after she found the quilt blocks that her mother had packed away. Auntie hadn't begun her quilting journey just yet, but wanted to honor the work that her mother had begun. Obviously, as the years passed and she became expert at designing, piecing and quilting . . . she would have come back to finish this quilt. She may even have added a splash of bold and vibrant fabrics that defined her work.

Recently, we discovered the quilt top in a cabinet in Auntie's sewing room, where she left it for me to find. I saw the three flowers as the three of us - the three generations, if you will.

I've placed the quilt top as my next project for the New Year. Along with writing short stories and designing fabric collections, I plan on using my sewing machine more this coming year. I will attempt to incorporate some hand-quilting on the baskets, and stitch matching flowers in the green spaces. Then, I will practice machine quilting a simple leaf pattern in the yellow sashing.

This quilt top wasn't completed in a few days or months, so I don't feel the pressure to complete quickly. But, I do look forward to practicing new techniques and eventually adding the binding. To complete this family heirloom, I will be sure to add a label that mentions the three of us.

"The stories of older generations aren't relics of the past, they're seeds for the future we build together." ~Maya Angelou

Recognizing the three generations of quilters and realizing that we each share the same last name, I thought that I might also write a fictional story about the quilt.

Combining the first three letters of each of our first names and three letter from our family surname - the story may reflect each of our artistic skills in the main character: Isabel Tilda Lang.

I will certainly be thinking about a story as I spend time working on this special multi-generational quilt.

What special project have you been working on that another family member began? Maybe it's not even a craft project, but possibly woodworking, poetry, photography. Why not pull some unfinished project from the cedar chest, our of a box, or off the shelf and pay homage to another's creative talents by combining your touches as well.

Thank you for stopping by.

XOXOX