4/7/18

AtoZ Challenge...Great Grandmother's Flower Garden Beds

 AtoZ Letter G

My Great Grandmother has been the inspiration for many posts here on CollectInTexas Gal and a primary person on my Family History Blog...Tracks of My Texas Ancestors.

I like to imagine her sewing together the hexagon pieces from her collection of feedsacks and clothing scraps.  During the Great Depression of the 1930's those fabrics were highly valued and coveted by quilters.

Great Grandmother was a Texas Cotton Farmer during those days, and having a Flower Garden Bed Quilt was as close as she probably had to a garden bed of flowers.

As one of the best loved vintage quilts, the Grandmother's Flower Garden, can be found in antique shops, flea markets and attics.  Although still very popular, few are made by todays quilters as this pattern is very labor intensive with hand piecing and quilting being preferred.
 
The pieced hexagon quilt dates back to 18th Century England.  Immigrants brought the pattern to the America Colonies and historians believe the hexagon pattern might be one of the oldest pieced patterns.  The earliest known American made hexagon quilt is dated 1807 even though many were made earlier, they were not dated and few survived.
 
Also known as Mosaic quilts, Honeycomb quilts and Six Sided Patchwork, the hexagon pattern has remained popular, changing from chintz to silk to wool to calico fabrics.  During the time of my Great Grandmother, quilters stayed true in representing the flower with a yellow center circled by a floral print with a solid representing the background.  It is thought the white hexagons represent a picket fence. 

Have you had April Showers yet?
You know they bring life to Grandmother's Flower Garden Beds!
 
PS...Thank you for commenting.  I will catch up with you on Sunday.  This is my weekend to be featured in a Wearable Arts Showcase.

14 comments:

  1. These are really pretty and what comes to mind when I think of patchwork quilts - I guess it's the tradional look that is familiar to a lot of us from our own grandmothers and the quilts some of them had.

    Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
    G for Give More

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  2. What a beautiful quilt! Such vibrant colors and intricate pattern. I've always wanted to learn how to paper piece, but have not done it.

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  3. truly lovely quilts. No wonder she is your inspiration

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  4. I am puzzled by the narrow green pieces - how does the change in size affect the overall shape and ease of piecing it all together?

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  5. What a beautiful quilt!

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  6. Hi Sue - congratulations on being featured in the Wearable Arts Showcase; amazing to know quilts were dated back to 1807 and undated earlier than that - I just admire the dedication in them - and these you show are delightful - cheer Hilary

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  7. A beautiful quilt. When I finally get the time, I'll try it (it'll probably be ready when I'm a grandmother).

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  8. Beautiful work. I am not a sewer (my Mom was,until RA stilled her hands) but I so admire anyone who does that kind of work. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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  9. There are a couple of Grandma's flower bed quilt tops on sale on an online auction site. I keep telling myself I don't need them but I do WANT them.

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  10. I love this! Our Great Grandmother was a beautiful strong woman! I am glad she inspired you, my sister!
    Love,
    "lil sis"

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  11. A lady at quilt weekend was hand quilting her grandmother's Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt top. She is hoping to have it ready for our quilt show next March. Yes, very labor intensive.

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  12. I really likes your blog! You have shared the whole concept really well and very beautifully soulful read!Thanks for sharing.ดูหนังออนไลน์

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  13. I have a flower garden quilt my grandmother made in the 1930's... somewhat faded, but I treasure it. she did all her quilts by hand, piecing together at night by the kerosene lamp!

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