Birds in the Air

April 22, 2012 on 8:37 pm | In Quilting | 35 Comments

Poor, poor little neglected blog. It’s been so boring here lately that there hasn’t been much point in blogging. Not that nothing has been happening — it’s been very busy, but there just hasn’t been much blog-worthy to report. Lots of cleaning, errand running, cleaning, visiting, cleaning — with all that cleaning, why doesn’t it look much cleaner around here? That drives me crazy — you work and work and work and things still look much like they did. At least there’s a big pile of garbage in the garage to show for the efforts. Too bad the pile isn’t bigger.

One little bit of excitement happened this weekend when MeMum and I put one of her antique quilt tops on the basting frame. I’d forgotten how much work it is to baste a quilt. We could just quilt it on this frame, but she has another quilting frame that tilts, which makes the quilting a little easier on the back.

Red Quilt

We basted for a few hours today and there’s still a bit more to do. There was a little debate over whether we should quilt it at all, but in the end, we decided it might help protect the quilt. This is a very old, hand-pieced top. Some of the seams aren’t even 1/4″ wide, which makes them pretty fragile.

Red Quilt

It’s been a fun basting job and I’m really looking forward to the quilting.  I love looking at all the different fabrics.  There are several pieces that were cobbled together — I always think that’s a fun thing to see in an older quilt.

Red Quilt

And there are two or three tiny holes.  We’ll be doing a little research in how to best handle their repair as we do the quilting.  I’m looking forward to working on this quilt — I hope we finish it in this lifetime.  Our basting has been so slow, I’m beginning to worry a bit!

Red Quilt

Alas, another weekend gone.  They always whiz by.  ;-(  Have a good week!

XOXO,
Anna

35 Comments

  1. Basting a quilt looks like LOTS of work. I love the little pieces that are cobbled together too.

    Comment by Jody — April 22, 2012 #

  2. Your quilt is a treasure! I enjoyed seeing the poverty patching amongst the wonderful piecing. Was your MeMum the creator of this quilt top, or was it from family? I think you’ll only be glad for quilting it! Thank you for the peek ~
    :-}pokey

    Comment by Pokey — April 22, 2012 #

  3. Now that is a treasure of a quilt – is it a family thing – did I miss that in your post? First off I admire that you are even doing the hand quilting – that’s what the quilt deserves but I’d have to do the machine quilting cuz I don’t hand quilt – you rock sister. Isn’t it amazing how time does fly by – holy smokes hubby has been retired almost 11 months – WOW seriously it’s gone fast – most days LOL.

    Looking forward to seeing you in KC – Hugs – Me

    Comment by karen — April 22, 2012 #

  4. I was having similar thoughts about cleaning this evening and finally had to remind myself that my home doesn’t have to be perfect and I don’t have to do it all now. It’s hard to let it go, especially with two cats shedding like crazy.

    Comment by Stacy — April 22, 2012 #

  5. What a neat looking quilt top, and how blessed you are to have a mother who enjoy doing things like that with you. Have fun!

    Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — April 22, 2012 #

  6. What’s more fun than having a mother who shares a love for quilts! I’m not sure if I would have the patience to restore an antique quilt, but it’s beautiful! Especially love those little imperfections!

    Comment by nicolette — April 23, 2012 #

  7. Wow! That really is something to treasure and how wonderful to be able to work on it together

    Comment by Gina — April 23, 2012 #

  8. I know what you meant about cleaning and cleaning and some more cleaning, and still, the next day it looks like it’s never been clean at all. I think I need one of those door mats with the words “The house was clean last week (sorry you missed it!) ;).
    Your mum’s antique quilt is gorgeous. Are you going to quilt it together?

    Comment by Vreni — April 23, 2012 #

  9. Wow, that looks like a real labour of love.

    And I am almost at the stage where I think there is no point in cleaning, as it will look the same as it does now within 5 minutes of the girls coming home, but I will feel resentful. If I don’t bother, I may stay in a good mood. Right? If only life worked like that!

    Comment by dottycookie — April 23, 2012 #

  10. Wow Anna, so happy you and your Mum are doing that together xoxoxo I love it!

    Comment by Jewels — April 23, 2012 #

  11. What a fun project! Basting, however, is my least favorite part of quilting.

    Comment by Jana K — April 23, 2012 #

  12. Oh wow Anna, that is a beautiful quilt. How nice for you both to do this together, and I believe you’ll get it done.

    Comment by Judy — April 23, 2012 #

  13. Aren’t you lucky! It’s so nice to work on vintage fabrics. That red is fabulous. :-)

    Comment by Katie — April 23, 2012 #

  14. How beautiful, but fragile. It will be fantastic when you get it done. These are long term projects anyway. But worth it.

    Comment by nanette — April 23, 2012 #

  15. So beautiful. Is it 1870-1880? Love the fabrics, especially the shirtings. Aren’t we lucky to have mothers near by? I know what you mean about quilting that top but it needs hand quilting right? And I do agree that quilting it will preserve it best. Can’t wait to see it finished.

    Comment by Bonnie — April 23, 2012 #

  16. A women work…… hmmm!! That is one amazing quilt, and one amazing basting job. When it’s done it will be such a treasure. If only that quilt could talk…the history—wow!!

    Comment by Cheryl — April 23, 2012 #

  17. opps … meant womens!!

    Comment by Cheryl — April 23, 2012 #

  18. Maybe you can convince sweetie pit to come visit for a long weekend and get her to help with the quilting? It’s a great opportunity to learn, take pictures, create memories… ;p

    it really is beautiful. :P

    Comment by ina — April 23, 2012 #

  19. Why, oh why, do weekends fly? You are so fortunate to be able to share this with your mom. It’s a lovely quilt in every way and it’s going to be a beautiful heirloom. :)

    Comment by Karin — April 23, 2012 #

  20. thanks for sharing that beautiful quilt top with us anna. i hope you have hours of fun times with memum while doing it!

    Comment by brigita — April 23, 2012 #

  21. What a beautiful quilt, Anna! I bet your mom really enjoyed that time with you :)

    Comment by Karen — April 23, 2012 #

  22. Be still my heart! fabric explorers while quilting, doesn’t get much better than that.

    Comment by Susan — April 23, 2012 #

  23. So love that pattern and, the fact that it’s an antique quilt makes it even more lovable! ;o) I read you about nothing worthy to blog and yet busy! So love the way you bake and decorate. Gosh, I feel as though I’m reading a Martha Stewart post! Everything is so lovely! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!

    Comment by Carole Prevost-Meier — April 24, 2012 #

  24. That is a lovely quilt! It is such a great fabric study and that red is so rich.
    I thought the time crunch was just happening to me, how is it going by so quickly?

    Comment by barb — April 24, 2012 #

  25. What a lovely old quilt, you need to draft in more quilters and have an old-fashioned quilting bee:) I wonder what the history of the quilt is – I take it that it isn’t a family piece?

    Comment by Rowan — April 24, 2012 #

  26. I can’t wait to see more. What a painstaking process. But totally worth it in the end.

    Comment by Jen — April 24, 2012 #

  27. What a great project. and your doing it with your mom, that’s even better. I can’t wait to see it when you girls are done. I bet you can’t either. lol

    Comment by Sharon Yeager — April 24, 2012 #

  28. What a challenge you’ve got ahead of you! I’d say you and your mom are dedicated quilters! Can’t wait to see the finished project.

    Comment by Janet — April 24, 2012 #

  29. Looks like a very labour intensive way to baste…but I bet the results of doing it this way make it worth while. The quilt is lovely and I think it is great that it is being finished…wouldn’t the quilt-maker be thrilled.

    Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — April 25, 2012 #

  30. That is a labor of love! And how fun to be able to do this with your mom! I can’t wait to see the finished quilt. :)

    Comment by Doni — April 25, 2012 #

  31. It is wonderful that you and your mum can work on the beautiful antique quilt together.

    Every stitch will be worth it when you see the finished quilt. :)

    Comment by Miriam — April 25, 2012 #

  32. Pretty quilt. Hey busy life is good, not for blogging but still good ;-P
    Clarice

    Comment by clarice — April 26, 2012 #

  33. Love the shoes, the fabric and drooling over the cake. That is a very interesting quilt y’all are basting, how old is it?

    Comment by Teresa — April 28, 2012 #

  34. I think it is so wonderful that you are hand quilting this treasure of a quilt!

    Comment by sherri — April 29, 2012 #

  35. Oh Anna, what a gorgeous old qult! How lovely to be hand quilting something that old. Enjoy!

    Comment by Meredithe — April 30, 2012 #

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