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Have you discovered old quilts and/or patches in your attic or a closet?  Are there quilting patterns there?   
When cleaning out a closet in the old farmhouse where I grew up, after my mom developed Alzheimer’s, I discovered some old quilting patches.  Some were simply pre-cut pieces and others consisted individual blocks with the pieces stitched together.
I’d never seen these before and knew my mom hadn’t made them.  Although she encouraged me in my quiltmaking, she hadn’t done any since she was a young girl.  When I discovered them, Mother no longer had any memories about the blocks and …read more

Writers say they have “muses” that inspire them with their work.  Once at a writers’ workshop I attended, the teacher instructed us to describe our muse, either in words or a sketch. 
 Until then I didn’t even know I had a muse or was supposed to!  However, as I put pencil to paper, a whimsical lady appeared, who seemed to be floating in air above a desk with my work.  Now when I’m asked if I have a muse she comes to mind. 
         Does this apply to my quilting, too.? Could you say that someone or something inspires you…one person or …read more

I received a flyer in the mail today telling me about cards for Creative Scrap Quilting projects.  What caught my attention was the picture of a delicate hanging with lace and patchwork heart.
Sewn to the heart were buttons, embroidery scissors, spoon, key, lacy glove, handkerchief, thimble and other embellishments.  Whether this was a memory creation, with items from one person’s life, or was simply an attractive collection, I don’t know.
However, this gave me the idea of taking items from my mother’s life, my aunt’s and my life that simply are taking up space in a drawer.  This quilt could be …read more

Old quilts have always fascinated me…those made by family members and others.  I don’t have a large collection, but enjoy the ones I’ve accumulated, whether given to me as gifts, hand-me-downs or purchased.
I only wish I had a place to display more of them.  Our multi-generational home (hubby, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, dog and assorted other pets) doesn’t allow for much display space…only the wall where Daughter Beth puts up her projects-in-progress to gain perspective.
What fun to be able to display these collectibles and tell the stories associated with them at quilt shows and to quilting groups!
Along the line of …read more

Log Cabin quilts have fascinated quilters for generations and have long been associated with American quiltmaking.  This pattern evolved during America’s pioneer days and with its many variations has never lost its popularity.
The pattern relates to the pioneer log cabin built of logs stacked upon logs and a welcoming light in the window designated by the center piece often of yellow or light fabric.  First made of scraps, alternating light and dark on each side of the block, it was thought to reflect pioneer life and the fabrics those quilters had available. Eventually this pattern was made of new fabrics, …read more

Some quilters like to know more about those in their past who influenced their quilting of the present.  As I research the story of my Trails End Quilters heritage http://trailsendquilters.blogspot.com ), I find I want to know more about those women who played a role in my past and who were quiltmakers, too.
I imagined that my great grandmother, Mary Barker Coon, must have been a quilter.  However, I didn’t know for sure.  Then I came across some of my grandfather, Burton B. Coon’s writings, which described his mother as a quilter and talked about the quilting bees the neighbor ladies …read more