Gramma's Quilt

Loved to death.  That's how I would describe the condition of this quilt when it was handed over to my mom.  Loved to death.  The backing worn and ripped and the binding shredded and almost non-existent.

My mother's mother made many quilts, busily piecing them on her old Singer treadle machine.  Most were made from re, er....  Um, up-cycled Crimplene fabrics.  Old slacks and dresses.  Then tied by my mother and her mom with knotted yarn.  According to my mom, Gramma made most of them in the staggered brick, diamond shaped pattern, as seen here.

As I spent the day re-tying this quilt, stretched taut upon its new backing, I thought of my Gramma and her fondness for this pattern, and realized it would not require the matching of seams.  No points to line up with the staggered bricks.  A versatile design - simple, fun and accommodating to a hodge-podge of fabric scraps.

The kids (my son in particular) helped throughout the afternoon, from beneath the quilt, poking the needle back up for me.  And we tied well into the center - all around.  I was able to bring the quilt home that evening, honoured I had been given the okay to replace the binding.  Then I tied the center by using a hoop.

I would like to thank my cousin, Jennifer.  For keeping this quilt for well over 30 years.  For loving this quilt to death.  And for allowing my mother and I to renew the condition of our Grandmother's well loved quilt. Thank you, Jennifer.  And thank you, Gramma.