My collection of old linens and laces are from family and friends who know I collect. I always wanted to use these wonderful treasures so I picked a Damask Linen table napkin and layered it with batting and backing. While taking a road trip to my visit my grandchildren, I used the time in the car to quilt the asterisk design in neutral embroidery floss over the surface. The edges of the napkin were raveling so I used the old crocheted lace to bind the edges. I had bought a stamped quilt top with women fused on it from a friend who wanted to have less in her stash of fabrics. I painted a spiral, glued on the ladies, laid cream colored tulle and hand stitched around it. I felt it needed energy to keep the motion of the spiral going so I added green fused lines to give the piece a dynamic feel.
Barbara, sometimes it is truly eerie how ideas that float into my head show soon in something I see! Yesterday I was thinking about how I'd love to use some of the linens I inherited from my mother in a quilt eventually, perhaps a 12x12 for the MMs. And then I come back to the blog this afternoon and read your explanation of your lovely little quilt and I actually got goosebumps! The way you amalgamated the old damask napkin with old lace and then the women from an old quilt--truly wonderful. And I do think the green fused lines make the quilt pop!
ReplyDeleteLove the use of the old linen napkin as your starting piece and the addition of the lace, stamped women and green lines add to the visual impact of your spiral. Nice job!!
ReplyDeleteI love your use of materials here. The crocheted edging is really pretty and the composition with the antique linens reminds me of generations of women each adding to the next.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to use treasured items from your collection in this piece. You portrayed the connection we have with women really well. The green lines give it the movement and power that makes this quilt stand out. Great use of the hand quilting!
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a collection of old family linens. I love that you had the courage to translate yours into a quilt. That gives me some great ideas of how I might incorporate some of my treasures. I, too, love the addition of the women. We are so connected to those who went before us and paved the path we follow. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWe quilters must all love the old linens which includes doilies, pillowcases, dresser scarves. etc. I will join the chorus in saying I have a vast collection of old linens. They were from my mother, my husband's mother, my husband's aunt and many found items. I have started cutting them up into pieces to make a crazy quilt. I have enough to probably be able to make at least two bed sized quilts. I love your use of these precious fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI love how you are honoring the past by utilizing some of your treasures. The combination of textures is visually very satisfying and even though there is much motion, the colors are very soothing.
ReplyDeleteRecycled materials incorporated into new artwork is a lovely way to connect old with new and I love the texture the lace and hand quilting has added to this piece. I also noticed the largest lady located in the lower left corner has a spiral image on her shoulder! Did you put that there or was it already part of the image?
ReplyDeleteBrava! Everything about it from the old to the new, handwork on trips and graphic ideas and materials...what fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great use of vintage linens and cloths. I'm amazed at the linens we find at garage sales here in Central Texas, and like some of the other MMs, I've started collecting them to use in future projects. Congrats on putting some of your treasures to such good use.
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