Yesterday I posted about the “Finally Finished” exhibit at the International Quilt Festival.
The gist is a woman who takes antique quilt tops from unknown makers and quilts them to “Finally Finish” them.
Well, I have a quilt top that my Grandmother made…..
You can’t tell it from this photo, but the sashing fabrics are little blue frogs!! SUCH FUN!!!
I have no idea when the top was made, but my mom gave it to me back in the 1990’s. (Granny passed away in the early 1970’s).
It has been part of my “UFO” box for all of these years because I was uncomfortable finishing the quilt by machine. And, I knew that I would NEVER finish it with hand quilting.
After seeing this exhibit, and seeing how wonderful the finished quilts are, I am thinking that I might plan to finish it with free-motion quilting.
What do you think? Is this a valid way to finish an old top??
Please tell me what you think!!
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Yes, Francis
That quilt needs some quiltt LOVE!!
Thanks Kay!! I may be asking you for suggestions when I get ready to work on it!!
Ask yourself, What would Granny say?
Is there anyone else besides you who would cherish that quilt as much as you, a fellow quilter.
Or, ask yourself, if the shoe is on the other foot-
If YOU leave an unquilted top, to YOUR family, would you want them to finish it, use it, enjoy it, or leave it tucked away, in fear of doing something ” wrong?”
Great questions Barb. Years ago, my Mom wasn’t really impressed by the FMQ I had done on a quilt for she and Dad. Dad put his arm around me and said “Granny would be proud”!!
Yes, finish it by machine. It is more important to finish by FMQ than to leave it unfinished. I recently finished a quilt started in the 1930’s. Aunt Eva had machine pieces the Grandmothers’s flower garden blocks. I chose to hand quilt. But what I found as I did finish the piece (method didn’t matter) I really grew to appreciate this auntie who raised my grandfather after his mother had died. Her scrappy color choices intrigued me. I never met her but I felt connected to her by completing her unfinished work. And I smile and say thank you to her very time I see the finished piece. It went from box to arm chair where it belonged.
Such wonderful thoughts Christie. Now I can’t wait to start working on it!!
yes i’ve been thinking of your post since seeing those gorgeous finishes. yea you should quilt it! your grandma would want it to be used. More importantly, it’s carrying on a tradition and a family heirloom will be the result. my grandma sewed but didn’t makes quilts. old love to have one of her creations. I just love the post about finishing old quilt tops. if i had a long arm old do that all the time. Hand quilting isn’t a skill i have and it’s too slow for me. So go for it and don’t fret- she would want you to enjoy those little froggies!!
Thanks Elena!! I will DEFINITELY be thinking about the froggies as I quilt it!!
YES.Your free motion quilting will add depth to this beautiful piece. What a special time to reconnect with your grandmother, marrying her talent with your creativity. Go for it.
Thanks Marnie!!
Yes, finish it. Machine quilt it. Those stars – they deserve to be seen because they’re beautiful! Merge your style and methods with your grandmother’s and make the quilt a legacy of you both.
Thanks for the encouragement, Anne!! This will definitely be added to my “ToDo SOON” list!!
It’s such a beautiful top. And your grandmother would have been tickled to know you finished it off. Whatever you do will be lovely, whether it’s simple or fancy.
Thanks for the encouragement Andrea!!
Definitely machine quilt it if that is what you need to do to finish it. The quilt will then tell the story of both of its makers. I’m quite sure that your grandmother would be proud to have your machine stitching completing her quilt.
Thanks for the encouragement Kathy. So many people have to said to go ahead and quilt it and now I am starting to get excited about the thought!!
Frances,
It certainly deserves your machine quilting. It’s part of your family’s work. Your mother put it in your hands. Maybe your mother held on to the top hoping she would somehow find the time herself to finish. Then maybe she felt it was no longer on her time list to complete. I know nothing—this is offered in the “maybe” category just commenting. That’s just my comment that it deserves for you to quilt. Do you have a relative who would perhaps appreciate receiving a family made quilt? Just commenting. Rest well. There may be snow on the ground tomorrow.