Emptying the nest

Quiet memories of yesteryear quilts

Shelley

It’s free, it’s easy to hang, and it’s using an object from my past to decorate the Dubious MinimalistTM way.

Why do you say call it the Dubious MinimalistTM way?

Because if they could see it and me still using it after all these years, I imagine it would cause The Minimalists to fret.  I believe it is okay to hang on to things you treasure from your past.  Incorporating them in a way that brings you joy, even if they are old items and no one else would keep them, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

You really think they’d tell you to discard it?

Yes.  I can’t help but think so.  They are after all self-proclaimed, get rid of the doilies kind of guys.  I believe they’d lump this quilt into that type of item.

Our memories are not in our things.  Our memories are in us. – The Minimalists

What is it?

My mom’s childhood doll quilt.  For a long time in my life, I wasn’t sure why I had it or why I was keeping it, other than it was my mom’s and I knew she’d be sad if I did toss it.  I held on to it with associated guilt, which didn’t bring me joy.  But something about it triggered memories that caused me to keep it.

When I remodeled my office, it was the perfect time to put the “does it bring you joy” test to it.  I hung it on the wall in my office as decoration.  It works and I love it.

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Quilting…warms the heart and feeds the soul.  – Etsy Quote

I adore my grandmother’s hand stitching and the easy on the eye combinations of free fabric she used to create it.  It has a history of a time in her life I wasn’t a part of, but one I treasure imagining what it was like.  I can just see her sitting by the light of the green glass genie lamp, stitching quietly and creating a special quilt for my mom as she slept.

So you keep it because you love it, and it brings you joy?

Yes, it brings back memories of my grandparents’ house when I was young and I’d stay with them.  One year I had a cold (probably the flu) with a high fever.  I was scared and I missed my mom.  My grandmother covered me and my chills with the larger version of this quilt and it kept me warm between the hot flashes.  From the view of the bed, I could see my mom’s doll covered with this small quilt.  I love the comforting memories and I smile every time I look at it.

Post Inspiration:  Linda Hill’s One-Liner Wednesday:  Thought for the Day Colds

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge:  Free and Easy

 

Published by Shelley

Letting my quirk out one post at a time.

20 thoughts on “Quiet memories of yesteryear quilts”

  1. Lovely memory and photo. My grandma did similar things, out of necessity, but absolutely beautiful. I wish I still had one.
    My grandparents were of a tin mining family in Cornwall before migrating to Cumbria for iron ore mining in the 1890s, my parents followed suit into iron and steel, hence my own posts recently about iron and steel.
    But the quilters of yesteryear bear no comparison with today’s generation who make nothing but destroy lots!
    Sitting in our Summer House (you call yours a Tea House?) at 23 degrees with a chilled glass of Tempranillo from Spain! 🍷👍👫

    1. Thank you, Dr. B. My grandparents were born in the 1900’s and my grandfather worked in the feed mills and brick manufacturing. My grandmother made quilts out of the clothes he wore and the feedbags and flour sacks. The thoughts of how hard people worked physically back then still amaze me. Cheers to you and Dr. C – soon, I’ll be sitting out in a chair in our Tea House, and I’ll toast you!

      2. I’ve often wondered from your winter photos, do you have neighbours, are yo surrounded by fields or prairie, are you isolated? Can’t tell from the photos! Need panorama.

        1. We have neighbors across the road, to the north, and to the south, but the view from our deck is out on 30-40 acres of fields that are farmed.

  2. What a great way to treasure a memory! I may steal your idea…On a side note, I just wanted to say thanks for writing everyday. Your posts always make me smile 😊

    1. Aw, thank you, I’m touched by your kind encouragement and I’m glad my words bring a smile to your day! Yes, steal it, it’s a fun way and easy way to decorate! (PS – Share your pictures too!)

  3. What a lovely quilt, Shelley! My mom gave me one of her quilts and my daughter is using it. It’s not as grand as yours but we love it.

  4. Thank you, Shelley, for this sweet post. It made me think of my dear Grandma Jones who, after her health deteriorated to the point she could no longer sew, continued until her death in 2004 to buy handmade quilts for each new grandchild born.

  5. This kind of memory, something that you can touch, is the best. I have many items from my parents (including a quilt that dad sewed) that I would never get rid of, even if they stay in a box for long periods of time. I’m glad that your grandmother’s quilt has brightened your office and given you joy.

  6. This was a lovely post Shelley. I think of one of my grandmas, ever present and hardly let ever out of her rocking chair(except to cook). That is how we knew her and because of that we would talk to her and learn stories of her past and our family. A gift similar to me was…I had made her a ceramic nativity in the early 80’s. When she passed, she willed it back to me with thoughts of us. Thank you for your story and also taking me back.

    1. Thank you, Donna, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I appreciate hearing your story, too, how sweet she took the time to will the nativity scene back to you. PS – it is great to hear from you!

  8. Beautiful little quilt, and most importantly, beautiful memories. I still have the baby quilts my grand ma made for my 2 girls, and also the big quilts made by my grand ma, and granny for my wedding presents. We treasure our memories brought back by these hand made quilts. 🙂

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