Pretty Posies is my challenge quilt for The Endeavourers. Our theme for this quarter was “vintage”. After pondering several ideas, none of which inspired me, I decided to pull out my stash of vintage fabrics and have some fun.
The first thing that might catch your eye is the odd shape of the quilt. The background fabric is a sleeve from an old and well-loved denim shirt of my husband, and the “youngest” fabric in the quilt top, even though that denim shirt dates back a couple of decades. I left the shape of the sleeve as is because I thought it was unique, and it also reminded me a bit of looking out a window.
The “table” is a scrap of fabric from fabric used in a dress for my mother. It is a little sheer, with nubs of threads in various colors running through it. I do not know what type of fabric it is.
The flower vase is a piece of fabric from my grandmother’s fabric stash. It is cut in a hexie shape, although I do not know who did the cutting. It is a very wonky hexie shape, so I’m sure it was cut from a cardboard template.
The lace was crocheted by my grandmother. I have been waiting to use that lace in one of my quilt projects, and this piece seemed to be just the right one for it.
The flowers were cut from a vintage hankie that belonged to either my grandmother, my great aunts, or my mother. I cut around the flowers and raw edge appliqued them onto the background by machine.
All of the fabrics were sewn on by machine using raw edge applique. The trickiest part was getting the flowers to overlap the lace just right. I did not baste the pieces down, I just pinned them and then stitched them down.
For the quilting, I kept it simple and subtle, using 50 wt Aurifil thread in Dove Grey (#2600). I started by quilting straight lines 2 inches apart, then added a sepentine stitch between the straight lines. The serpentine makes me think of a lacey curtain behind the flowers.
The backing is a simple blue and white fabric I’ve had in my stash for a few years. I bought it to use for a specific quilt, and I can’t remember which quilt it was, so I might as well use it up.
For the binding, I made a bias binding from the other sleeve of the denim shirt, cutting it on a diagonal and piecing it together into the binding strip. It worked great, and the fabric is so soft it was easy to stitch through.
Pretty Posies is a quirkly little piece, but it means a lot to me with all the significance of those vintage fabrics!
What would you do with a “vintage” theme? I’m curious! If you want to see the other challenge quilts, you can go here to see them!
Wendy
I love the quilt and the story behind it.
At last it’s Aug 1st and I can se yours
I love every single thing about this quilt! Reminds me of Broderie Perse. The stories behind the pieces just make it more special. Was BigJ surprised to see the old sleeve made pretty? Where will you display it?
What a perfect package to enclose such memories. I’m partial to the table fabric, am in awe of your grandmother’s crocheted lace (Read: her patience to create it!) and love the shape you went with from your hubby’s worn-soft denim shirt.
Cute vintage mini, Wendy!!! I especially love the shape. And love all the family ties to your piece, too!
I like how you use lace in this piece too – vintage for sure
I love this, Wendy. Great interpretation of the prompt.
What a meaningful, whimsical, beautiful piece. It has such a rich story behind it and I can appreciate why it means so much to you. You have brought together momentos from family members and created a lovely work at the same time
I really love the shape of the quilt! I know I have some unused old denim around here somewhere…. 🙂
I also love the combination of family items. Great interpretation of the theme!
Hi Wendy, What a wonderful piece – the story enhances it!… I hope to be inspired to do such a piece one day. No vintage items from family to use but I have some vintage pieces I have collected that would work.. Well done.
This is a wonderful piece, Wendy! I love how everything you used for it is meaningful. The denim background looks so soft and definitely gives the look of a window. Congratulations on a fun finish!
Girl, you amaze me with your creative ideas!!! Your Mom and Grandma would be bursting with pride!!! Love your interpretation of the theme! I still have some of Alice’s lace that I was always going “ to do something”with! You put me to shame!! ❤️
What a great quilt, Wendy, and the special fabrics and crochet make it even more special!! Great job!
This is so sweet Wendy! It is really cool that you have pieces from your mom and grandma.
Can you even imagine crocheting lace? I cannot – what precise, teeny tiny work. It would make my eyes crazy! Well done!!!
Such a unique and memorable challenge. I probably don’t have any vintage fabric (well, except for the stuff I bought 30-40 years ago). I love how meaningful each item is. The photo made me think the background fabric was silk or satin because of its gentle fading. Great work.
Perfect!❤️
It’s so clever!
It’s just wonderful Wendy and so very special and unique.
You nailed the vintage theme! It’s a very pretty finish. I’m not sure what I would do for vintage, probably go more for a vintage look rather than use older fabrics .
This is such and exquisite piece with years of love and memories. I was sure that was a sleeve when I saw it. I really think this is so fabulous…wonderful pieces of clothing and lace reworked into a lovely little quilt.
Sweet to read of the sentimentality of this piece.
How wonderful to use pieces from those you love to make this quilt!
What a sweet vintage quilt! I wouldn’t have thought to keep the sleeve shape and it works so well. You made a great keepsake with your family’s stash.