Are you a quilter? No, but my grandmother was. She had one of those frames that dropped from the ceiling. I remember playing under the quilt while she and friends would sit around the frame and stitch.
My question of 'Are you a quilter?' to folks who visit my shop is often answered with the 'Grandmother's Quilt Frame' story. Funny thing is...the stories almost always are shared by the men who patiently wait while their wives browse and shop. I bet their grandmothers are smiling in heaven! I know I smile when my grandchildren reminisce about times spent with me in my sewing room or talk about their favorite quilt.
I've come to realize that every quilt has a story whether it was made yesterday or many yesterdays ago. Stories of yesterday's quilts may not have a history story to tell yet, but still their maker made choices in fabrics, design, size and more often than not...a specific reason for creating a quilt. Many yesterdays ago quilts easily have a story to tell without first hand knowledge, a label or a grandchild's memory.
Take for instance, the quilt pinned on line. Forgive the pun that brings yesterdays old school Show and Tell in to todays technology. I couldn't resist, and besides, I'm thinking the 'Old School Clothespin On Line' was the inspiration for the 'Online Pin'terst'...wish I had thought of it!
Lajitas, Texas, is an unlikely place for a quilt shop with it's desert location on the border of Texas and Mexico. Just across the border on the other side of the Rio Grande lies a small village accessed only by crossing the river...usually in an aluminum boat rigorously paddled...depending on whether the Rio Grande is roaring or slow running.
I digress...the quilt top story...armed with donated treadle sewing machines, fabric, scissors and basic sewing supplies a group of Texas women crossed the Rio Grande to teach the village girls and women the art of quilting. Yes, you got it...no electricity...therefore, the treadle machines. The resulting quilt tops were a boon to the economy for the village and a binding tie..no quilt pun intended...between women of two close but separate countries.
'It Takes A Village'
Quilted and Pinned
by
CollectInTexas Gal
Boy, if they still taught that quilt class, I'd happily donate some hand cranks for the ladies to sew with. It used to be easier (and safer) crossing back and forth.
ReplyDeleteIt was a sad day for both sides of the border when the powers that be stopped all donations of any kind crossing the borders without paying an export tax. Speaking of hand crank...I have an old machine I would like to make a hand crank. We will have to get together and make that happen one of these days.
DeleteThat's a really cool story! I wish I had tried to learn quilting. Mama had a number of quilts that her or relatives made. Most were so "ratty" by the time I was in my thirties they would need lots of tender loving work to restore. I didn't know how, and never had the extra money to have it done. Also, people used to use cotton batting, that had weight to it. It felt so good on a cold night! Now everyone uses man-made stuff that weighs nothing. They look nice, but aren't what I consider a quilt.
ReplyDeleteBarbara from Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Lovely story. I admire quilters. I always go to the creative arts building at the State Fair of Texas in the fall - the winning quilts are gorgeous. Often they tell a story, or they are just absolute works of art. More power to quilters with patience.
ReplyDeleteI recall my Aunt Joyce having one those quilting frame drop from the ceiling. I'm working on my first quilt.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
What a wonderful story. I feel rather teary.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely story. The quilt has really turned out so beautifully.
ReplyDelete