Quilt Stories

For as long as I remember, I have loved quilts.  The interplay of different fabrics and colors, all layed out in unique designs, custom-made by the creator, for a specific purpose or special event.  I've admired and collected them all my life.  They are a symbol of warmth, covering, protection and love.

 

 
  Every year when we go to the MN State Fair, one of the highlights is going to the Creative Building and admiring all the winning quilts (the men go a different direction).  My maternal grandma tutored me in quilt love, teaching me the different patterns: Dresden plate, Log Cabin, Wedding Ring, Grandma's Flower Garden.  She taught me the difference between a pieced quilt and an applique' quilt.  She pointed out how many patterns used a yellow fabric as the center.

 
This is a pieced quilt made out of old men's wool suits.  I use it over my couch in the fall.

 
This is an applique' quilt my Grandma made for my son, her first great grandchild.

 
This is our wedding quilt that my Grandma made for us.  Notice the yellow middles.

 
This baby quilt my mom picked up at an estate sale really highlights the hand-stitching.  I overheard some ladies at the Fair wondering why one quilt had a higher ribbon than another, when it didn't look as detailed.  Guess they didn't know the difference between a machine-stitched quilt and a hand-stitched quilt.  The judges look at how perfectly spaced all those little stitches are.  Can you imagine the time it takes?

Quite a few quilts have found their way into my home and life over the years-some purposefully, some orphaned souls that need new life breathed into them.  Because I  have so many quilt stories and crafts, I decided they could be an ongoing series, rather than making a horribly long post.  Quilts hold a special place in my heart, and also coincide with a lot of faith concepts...so here's the first of the "Quilt Stories and Crafts".

P.S. I am learning to blog on my new laptop! I love sitting in a comfy chair, but do not like learning new operating systems.  I am an old dog...and it's hard to learn new tricks!