Monday 8 June 2009

happpiness is a coverlet



I remade our bed this week, and changed our winter quilt for this delightful coverlet.
It was made by the neighbour of my gran, my mum says she never ever knew her first name, and she was always called Mrs ....



Each tiny square is handsewn, and it is such a thrill to have it on the bed. I have coveted it for years, it's graced the spare bed at mum and dad's house for as long as I can remember, and last week my mum turned up with it, and said I could have it. Totally out of the blue, no reason, or occasion, just because she knew I liked it. I could have cried (there's been a lot of that recently, house stress.........)



there is a centre of squares, and then rows and rows of matching squares, cut out of all types of fabrics, I'm sure this check is an old mens shirt.



then follows a section of random squares, and then a pink and blue checkerboard design, and then at the top and bottom a pink and green and yellow pattern, and it's simply backed on a seersucker print, which folds at the sides to make a binding.
If you look closely you find mismatches in the pattern, which adds to the whole charm of it,



I don't know how old it is, but it's showing signs of wear and tear, I feel a few hours of delicate darning coming up, really it's too old and precious to use, but I can't bear the thought of it being on a shelf,


so a mending I must go.



21 comments:

  1. ooo its gorgeous what a lovely thing to have !
    well worth the repairing ;-)
    Lesley x

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  2. It's very pretty. And just think, in years to come someone will probably be feeling the same way about your quilts!

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  3. That is absolutely beautiful and all hand sticthed 'wow'

    I can see why you shed a few tears I think I would still be blubbering!

    take care and I hope the house stress is sorted soon.

    Nina x

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  4. What a beautiful quilt, you are very lucky to own it x

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  5. Ooh, what a wondrous sight! I have a tiny doll quilt that's similar, made by my great grandmother. But a full-sized beauty -- wow! Isn't it fun to imagine the origin of each little piece of fabric?

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  6. What a treasure!! You will be able to sleep well under the love and care that went into each and every stitch.

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  7. Wow! What a treasure. Hope the househunting is progressing well! x

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  8. What a treasure you have. It is such a wonderful quilt.
    x

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  9. it's gorgeous... how pleased you must have been... and what a huge amount of love has been sewn in to the quilt. enjoy ! ginny xx

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  10. Jen sent me...well, not exactly. I read comments and being a coffee lady myself, I had to pop over. Yes, I'm a knitter, but also a quilter. And I am quite impressed with your coverlet. How fortunate you are to have your mum pass it on to you. I'll be back!

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  11. I think I would have wanted to cry too, it is so beautiful.

    It’s a horrible time selling your house and moving, try and take some” ME” time.

    Love Lou xxx

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  12. Maybe your mum knew that you need something else to think about and some cheering up.

    It is beautiful, hope it will help you to relax a bit and not stress too much.

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  13. You absolutely have to use it! It's gorgeous, a real heirloom! I can absolutely see why you might of cried on receiving that! What a gift!
    Big hug from me to try and make you feel better about the house move.
    Love Vanessa xxx

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  14. Gosh! How lucky you are to have recieved it :)
    Its just so pretty, and the fact that someone went to the trouble of handsewing every square makes it even more special
    xxx

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  15. That is so gorgeous! And so sweet of your mum!

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  16. Now that is pretty. Even more amazing that it's hand sewn.

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  17. How Lovely- I have started quilts so many times but somehow they end up being cushions! how much patience and history must have gone into this quilt!

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  18. It reminds me of a quilt that my great-aunt gave my mum years ago. Hundreds of tiny hexagons. I used to love looking at all the different fabrics used, and like yours, is in need of repair.

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  19. Oh that is so beautiful - such a lovely keepsake! xxx

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  20. what a beautiful quilt! I have masses of squares layed out on the floor in front of me at the moment, all ready for my next one! I actually think it might be easier to hand sew it. I keep going wonky on my machine. I guess it just takes practice...x

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  21. love it, love it, love it, absolutely love it!! What a wonderful gift and very inspiring. Do hope the house stress will be relieved soon. Make sure you are very kind to yourself this weekend.
    love
    Sheila

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