When visiting home in March Mom and I photographed this family heirloom:
This was made by my Grandmother Louise's grandmother.
It is very old, and both sides are quite faded except for a few very well preserved hexagons made with fade resistant dyes: indigo.
This quilt is so special!
This is the note that my Grandmother Louise lovingly pinned to the quilt so that its history wouldn't be forgotten.
You can understand how this quilt has inspired me to get started with hexagons myself! I purchased these English paper pieces at Katrine's and found it so quick and easy to do. Please forgive me that I have become a bit stuck on red, white and pink lately...
(If you should care to see the first in this Quilts From Home series then click here.)
wow - incredible quilt - I love that the women in your family have been doing this for generations and that the fruits of their labour has been so well loved and treasured...show us more...
Posted by: annieb | June 06, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Oh my that is so so darling. I couldn't love it more. I've always wanted to do the hexigon "grandmothers garden" quilt. . . someday
Posted by: Nanette | June 06, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Thanks for sharing! I adore hexagon quilts and hope that I'll be skilled enough (someday!) to make one of my own.
Posted by: sara | June 06, 2008 at 03:26 AM
Hexagons are my favorite. How lucky you have this old quilt.
Posted by: kari | June 06, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Such a beautiful quilt. It reminds me of my mum. The first memory I have of sewing was sewing hexagons like this with her when she'd just started to learn to quilt.
No forgiveness necessary for the colour choice - I always love the red, pink and white combination you use!
Posted by: Melanie | June 06, 2008 at 09:17 AM
It would be impossible NOT to be inspired by that quilt. One warning though -- once you've been bit by the hexagon bug, resistance is futile!
Posted by: Kristin L | June 06, 2008 at 09:37 AM
you will make the familiy tradtion go on! having lovely examples of your ancestors!
it will be great in pink and red.have lots of fun!
i made a "grand ma's garden" last year and will do one more in summer vacation. can't stop..
Posted by: rike | June 06, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I always find it so hard to believe that those colours and patterns existed all that time ago. Many of which have become so fashionable again and look so Cath Kidston-like.
Thank you for the lovely comments you have left on my blog, Emily. I haven't had much time to reply or comment recently as life has (temporarily) got in the way of blogging, but yours is always one of the first blogs that I click on in my bloglines for a happy couple of minutes lurking! x
Posted by: Florence | June 06, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Another beauty and so inspiring!
Posted by: Julia | June 06, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Thanks for sharing. Your blog makes me want to learn how to quilt. I want to make a quilt for my daughter.
Posted by: Kristen Sutcliffe | June 06, 2008 at 03:34 PM
How wonderful to have a family history like that! And I really like the new hexagons you are making. Those colors look really beautiful together.
Posted by: Johanna | June 06, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Can't stop looking at both that delectable vintage quilt and your beautiful new one. The vintage one uses just the colours I love to use in my vintage-style charm jewellery (see current giveaway)- like dolly mixtures. Your pictures are gorgeous.
Posted by: Silverpebble | June 06, 2008 at 05:02 PM
oh, wow wow wow!!! What an amazing and beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Katy | June 06, 2008 at 07:01 PM
Wow, that quilt is just breathtaking! My great-grandmother made a similar hexagon quilt, and when I inspected it I was just flabbergasted to discover the whole thing was sewn by hand! I guess as a farmer's wife she had a lot of time in the evenings... It's so lovely we have these things to keep in the family. And it's so lovely that you keep making new (future) family heirlooms!
Posted by: Katy | June 06, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I love the note your grandma made. What a precious quilt, you're lucky to have that in your family.
Posted by: Tonje | June 06, 2008 at 09:26 PM
I am loving red and pink right now as well!
Posted by: pam | June 07, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Isn't that quilt amazing! I love paper piecing - but those materials you are using are so pretty! I suspect the end result is going to be a grand beauty for sure!
Posted by: Rachael Rabbit | June 08, 2008 at 03:44 AM
Beautiful, beautiful old quilt... And how special to know it is made by your grandmother. Thank you for sharing, and happy sewing on your own hexagons.
Posted by: Marit | June 08, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Your grandmother's quilt is so great. I just love things like that with so much love attached to it. Your quilt is going to be wonderful too. I absolutely love reds and pinks... no need to apologize!!!
Posted by: bethany | June 08, 2008 at 10:42 PM
that is truly a beautiful quilt. i love the fabrics she chose! and they look so beautiful now that they are faded and used. what a treasure!
Posted by: melissa | June 09, 2008 at 08:10 PM