Thursday, September 12, 2013

 last week a man came to the studio, with a bag of fabrics that had belonged to his mother.  his mother was born in 1890, and she died almost 35 years ago.  she was a seamstress and a quilter.  he told me that when she was young she would stay with a farm family for a week and during that time, outfit the entire family with their wardrobe for the year.  and then move on to the next family, clothing their children as she had the last family's.  i loved that story. it seems to represent community in a profound way.   and he was presenting me with her fabric.  fabric that had outlived her. some little scraps were neatly folded in tiny bundles and tied with a strip of the same fabric.  lovingly.  she loved her fabric.  and now i love it.  yardage of perfect florals that i can imagine my own grandmother using to fashion a dress or an apron.  i feel very fortunate as the buzz of the studio is swift and strong now.  the quilts pumping through my hands.  and i love it.  the constant rush of the fabrics in my hands and my eye watching all the colors and dreamy little patterns spill into quilts. 


                                
i just came inside.  i've been out on the porch while ezra was sniffing around the yard in the dark.  there is a lick of cool to the air tonight that wasn't there last night.  or the night before.  this week the summer night sounds seemed to shriek. as if the creatures doing the singing know their show is almost over. and the heat is almost gone.
  

12 comments:

  1. Fantastic presentation, great job:) Greetings

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  2. What a lovely story..
    Just reading it, i can imagine how it must have been back in those days. What a very nice gift your friend has given you.... materials from such a long time ago.
    Sounds like you are really busy with your quilts.. everyone getting ready for winter..
    Here our weather is slowly changing... but still having hot days and its so very dry.
    happy sewing Annette..
    val x x

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    1. thanks, val.....
      the stories of the early 20th century are pretty inspiring, aren't they!!!
      have a wonderful day...
      xoxo

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  3. thats such a wonderful gift, the fabric is beautiful as well,

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    1. your comment made me smile laurie. for you know me. i loved the sstory as much as the fabric!!!

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  4. What lovely fabric. I'm jealous..but happy that you will put these to good use in your beautiful quilts. Please be sure to identify which quilts hold such treasured fabrics.

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  5. i wish you were closer, lisa, i'd share the fabric with you. although i will probably jut slip the fabrics anonymously into quilts. :)

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  6. Τι όμορφα υφάσματα ειναι αυτα !!!


    Φιλία απο greece

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  7. What a great story, precious gift and wonderful fabrics. I'm so glad he thought of you to give it to.

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    1. me toooo!!!! i'm getting started with them tomorrow.
      xoxo

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  8. My favourite doll was a ragdoll my grandmother made for me... along with three dresses and a few bonnets. She would make ALL her gifts. I have begged my mum to leave me all of her oven mitts - they are the best. I'm hoping the crocheted blankets will be mine too... they are the best... and what I wouldn't give for a morning with her in her kitchen, toast and tea and needlework of some kind - when it's hands that make it's must leave a little of the person in each stitch... making it the best.

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    1. what a beautiful story you tell. what a busy and talented woman your grandmother was!

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