Thimbleanna

Jumbo Applecore, Part 1 of 3

As I promised on my last post, we finally have some quilting here in Thimbleannaland.  A few years ago, MeMum, BigDaddy, TheManoftheHouse and I had a hot date every Wednesday night.  The menfolk would watch t.v. while the womenfolk quilted.  The first quilt we finished was this jumbo applecore, probably pieced during the 30’s or 40’s.

Applecore Quilt

This quilt is all handpieced and MeMum thinks that my father’s mother did the piecing. We don’t know for sure, but as far as I know, we don’t have any other quilts by her. I don’t remember her ever quilting — I knew her as a knitter and crocheter.  I love some of the prints in this quilt and would love to see them re-made.  And look across the middle at that blue and white polka dot that’s back in style now.  What’s going on there?  Why are they all placed in the same row?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Applecore Quilt Applecore Quilt

This is a funny little quilt, but I love it.  My favorite piece is the striped applecore that has been pieced.  I like to think that my grandma loved that pretty pink, green and blue stripe and wanted to use every last scrap in this quilt.

Applecore Quilt

MeMum and I decided to quilt this quilt with an all-over clamshell pattern and let me tell you…it was a bugger (booger?  buggar???  how do you spell that anyway?) to quilt.  The fabrics are sort of feedsack heavy and we used a very weird consistency batting that MeMum had in her stash.  We had to quilt each stitch individually because it was so hard to get the needle through the fabric and batting.  I think we both complained the whole way through this quilt, and our stitching definitely wasn’t at its best.

Applecore Quilt

Needless to say, we were very happy when it was finally finished.  It was fun to work together though — two people quilting are twice as fast as one!  There is more to this little applecore story…stay tuned for part 2….

XOXO,
Anna

60 thoughts on “Jumbo Applecore, Part 1 of 3”

  1. You know until looking at these older quilts I would never have thought about grabing a section and piecing in what I needed to make the last pattern piece. I still don’t have it occur to me all that much, but it’s fine and often look great! I noticed on of the blue dots is pieced too! I need to do that more often!

    What a fabulous quilt, thanks for sharing!

  2. Love it Anna! Especially since it’s a family heirloom. I’m sure grandma would be so happy that her unfinished project was completed by her granddaughter. Do you think our grandbabies will finish ours?? xoox Junie

  3. Oh Lord! This reminds me that, somewhere, I have an apple core quilt, started years ago in a class, and neglected ever since. It isn’t even on my list of UFOs. How hurt it must feel, languishing, forgotten in the closet. It probably wishes it could go to live at your house, where it would be fussed and loved, finished and quilted!

    That’s a lovely quilt. I just didn’t need the guilt!

  4. Oh, I love this quilt…and I love the story even more! I think this is my favorite part about quilting…hearing the stories behind the quilts!

  5. I love the quilt! I have never seen an apple core quilt before and love it’s style. If I were to ever make a quilt I think it may have to be one just like that!!

  6. Oh Anna, that quilt makes my heart sing… for several reasons! Now hurry and call a fabric company to get those fabrics reproduced. Wouldn’t you love to have your own line?! Find the phone fast!

  7. Hi Anna,
    What a wonderful story and your quilt it is so beautiful! One thing I love about hand quilting is enjoying the eye pleasing fabrics as you stitch. I’m getting the urge to do some hand quilting. My Mom and I loved to quilt, knit and cook together,(tear) enjoy every minute of that! Has your Mom tried any machine quilting?

  8. Love this quilt Anna. And how cool that you get together. What fun that would be for our long winter nights that will be here before we know it. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Anna, I love it so much. The idea of Grandma making it and you and your Mother quilting it is so nice. What a nice memory. We should all get together and quilt the Grandmother’s Flower Garden (Oh wait it’s not pieced, as Kirby would say “Are you ever going to finish that?”)

  10. This quilt is absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful story too. I love the vintage fabrics, they give it that warm homey feeling. Applecore is one that I have always wanted to do, so I bought the Applecore die and cut up some kits and put them up for sale on my Etsy shop. It is in the 30s fabrics. So I am also on that mode as well. I can’t wait to cut one for myself and give it a go. Looking forward to more of your story!

  11. Anna .. that is a wonderful quilt.. and I just LOVE the little pieced block… think you are right.. she absolutely wanted that piece right there.. no matter what!!!! :o) What a treasure!!! :o)

  12. What a fabulous quilt, love love the applecore design, and I know I have a template tucked away somewhere to make this quilt. Thanks for the inspiration, what a lovely story!

  13. Oh, Anna, that is a beautiful quilt! I’ve never seen an applecore quilt before. I think I have fallen in love! And I love that it was your grandmothers. What a great heirloom :)

  14. I love that pattern and have been chicken to try it. It looks wonderful and the binding turned out perfect. Yes, all those stripes in a row must have a story. Can’t wait to see more!

  15. What an awesome thing to have as heritage of your family. The colors are so inviting. They remind me of a nice southern summer day with the neighborhood kids while mom brings out some lemonade and watermelon to cool us down. The clamshell pattern for the quilting is a great idea and really turned out nice.

    -Katie
    Quiltblocktour

  16. What a beautiful quilt and beautiful fabrics, too! I’ve never seen an applecore quilt before, but it sure looks like fun. Why is it I keep seeing more things I want to make?? Does it never end…….

  17. The colors and patterns on the quilt are amazing. I guess we all reveal a little bit about ourselves in our quilts. It’s fun to think that, somewhere down the line, someone may try to interpret our thoughts by the fabric and patterns that we’ve used. What a wonderful experience for you! I have a quilt that I pieced by hand and have only hand quilted a few stitches. I need to get back to it. Thanks for sharing.

  18. OMG I love it!! And to have this in your FAMILY?? Wow you are one lucky girl. That blue stripe with the pink flowers is so much like my new favorite fabric…American Retro makes me realize it truly is a reproduction, thanks for that :) What a lovely family you have Anna…you are truly blessed :)

  19. Dear Anna, this looks so nice.
    And I love the name “Applecore”. It really looks like that.
    It must be good fun to a work like this together.
    Have a great weekend
    Janine

  20. I will add my oohs and aaahs to all the comments. What a HAPPY quilt. I absolutely love the fabric patterns in it. Gorgeous. It has a total boho chic look ( my favorite look) to it and I wish so much it was on my bed :)

  21. Are you kidding me? From what I can see of your quilting in the pictures, it looks fantastic. Show me a closeup of your best work and I’ll probably fall of the chair. You are amazing!

  22. Yay, finally I’ve run across a hand-quilter…….I was beginning to believe I was the last remaining dinosaur participating in this festival !
    I love your apple core !

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