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“BETTY BEE'S BOUQUET”, a Grandmother's Garden
My mother, Betty, was an incredibly creative person and a talented artist. Like most wives and mothers in the 40's/50's, she did not pursue a career outside the home but used her creativity to make clothes, decorate our home, and volunteer to be the artist/craft leader for all groups. Both my sister and I were in awe of her abilities but instead of intimidating us, she encourage us and supplied the materials and opportunities to follow her. This quilt is dedicated to her.
Most of the fabrics for this quilt came from her scraps. It contains memories of clothes she made for herself, my sister and I, and her granddaughters.
As I commented to Jackie, I didn't follow the conventional technique for grandmother's garden because I didn't know any better. As I cut the hexagons, I marked each corner with pencil. Matching these dots, I joined the seams with alternating running stitch and backstitch. I really found this less time and work intensive because I didn't cut paper templates, press under the seam allowance or baste. Maybe it wasn't the "right" way but it worked.
I hand quilted this queen size bed topper. The whole process took about 2 years with other projects in between. As of yet I have no granddaughters to pass on this heirloom so if my oldest son doesn't have any girls, it will go to our first granddaughter-in-law.
My mother, Betty, was an incredibly creative person and a talented artist. Like most wives and mothers in the 40's/50's, she did not pursue a career outside the home but used her creativity to make clothes, decorate our home, and volunteer to be the artist/craft leader for all groups. Both my sister and I were in awe of her abilities but instead of intimidating us, she encourage us and supplied the materials and opportunities to follow her. This quilt is dedicated to her.
Most of the fabrics for this quilt came from her scraps. It contains memories of clothes she made for herself, my sister and I, and her granddaughters.
As I commented to Jackie, I didn't follow the conventional technique for grandmother's garden because I didn't know any better. As I cut the hexagons, I marked each corner with pencil. Matching these dots, I joined the seams with alternating running stitch and backstitch. I really found this less time and work intensive because I didn't cut paper templates, press under the seam allowance or baste. Maybe it wasn't the "right" way but it worked.
I hand quilted this queen size bed topper. The whole process took about 2 years with other projects in between. As of yet I have no granddaughters to pass on this heirloom so if my oldest son doesn't have any girls, it will go to our first granddaughter-in-law.
6 comments:
Janet, Wow, wow, wow!! I just love it! You did a fantastic job. I suspect it will take me equally as long. I want to make mine a full size and the layout will be similar to yours. However, I will be machine quilting mine. Now to pick my chin up off the floor.... Loving this quilt!
Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! I like how you named it Betty Bee's Garden. :)
What a beautiful quilt and what a lovely tribute to your Mom. Love your description of how you made the piece - you most definitely did it "right". And, Janet, thank you for following my blog. I enjoy reading yours, also, and am on my way to sign on to yours! Quilting is a joy and I find I love it more all the time.
It definitely was the journey and not the destination. How absolutely special to have this quilt and it's beautiful. I love quilts that have a special story, thanks for sharing.
hey! my hex quilt I'm making the same way. trace the hex, line up the edges etc. that's how I first learned to sew. if it works why change it! paper piecing? never done it. I only hope I will finish mine this year.... this is a real beauty!
this turned out so beautiful! i love my boys, but a little part of me wishes we had a girl so she could inherit such a beautiful, special piece. i can't wait to see it in person!
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