Recently my mom brought me some embroidered blocks of Grandma's -- some extras. Grandma died more than 15 years ago, so this is a special project for me. I've never done anything with Embroidered blocks -- there are 50 of them, 6 1/2 inches square. I ordered some fabric from Connecting Threads, "Nana's Pantry". The colors work well, which was a relief since I'd never seen them in person. I was inspired by Crazy Mom Quilt's quilt here. I would have never picked out this fabric, but seeing it in her quilt made me love it.
I'm still unsure of the design I will do -- either a block I'm not sure the name of -- it's the inside of the economy block -- kind of like the first picture below. The blocks would be on point so the birds would not sit at a diagonal. I've contemplated a Log Cabin too, but there are 50 blocks and more than one or two strips might just get too big.
Another thing I've been debating is whether or not I match the bird to the background color. Does that make sense? (Red Cardinal, Red background; Bluebird, blue background -- or do I mix it up?) If you have an opinion, let me know. (:
I'm still unsure of the design I will do -- either a block I'm not sure the name of -- it's the inside of the economy block -- kind of like the first picture below. The blocks would be on point so the birds would not sit at a diagonal. I've contemplated a Log Cabin too, but there are 50 blocks and more than one or two strips might just get too big.
Another thing I've been debating is whether or not I match the bird to the background color. Does that make sense? (Red Cardinal, Red background; Bluebird, blue background -- or do I mix it up?) If you have an opinion, let me know. (:
I can just picture Grandma sitting in her quiet, clean house, watching Lawrence Welk or Billy Graham, doing her embroidery. She made a lot of embroidered quilt blocks which my mom made into wedding quilts for each of us. Here is my oldest, Andrew, sitting in front of my wedding quilt -- it only shows one of the twelve blocks, but you get the idea. Plus, Andrew is so cute I thought I better share!
Just a bit about Grandma - she lived across the street from us when I was growing up. She smelled of Mentholatum and Coty's face powder. She had the "gift of gab" -- something I didn't appreciate like I would now. She had a great memory for details. She knew everyone's birthday, childhood friend's full names, and war-time songs she was taught when she was growing up. Sometimes I wish I could go back and visit with her again so I could really pay attention to all those stories, songs, and poems she told me.
Lastly, I will leave you with a cute picture of Tanner -- "peeling corn." Whenever he sees corn on the cob he says "Oh yah! I peeled corn with Grandpa one day!" That was about a year ago, but he still talks about it. Funny how clearly I remember doing the same thing with Dad when I was little. (:
I'm linking up to GoGo Kim's Saturday Sewjo Party.
I'm linking up to My Quilt Infatuation party too!
What a sweet legacy. I have blocks from my aunt, who was a quilter. They are very special to me. Your background choice is perfect! I wouldn't match background to block. Each block has some color, but not so much that it would look out of place on another color background. The economy block is a good choice too. Enjoy your memories. I, too, wish I could go back and ask questions of my aunt now that I'm older.
ReplyDeletecute! I would definitely mix up the background and bird colors. I think that will keep it fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
How wonderful to have those lovely memories of your grandmother and those beautiful embroidered birds are some unique treasures. The fabrics you've chosen for them are perfect. Can't wait to see this one all stitched up! :)
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