Thursday, October 10, 2013

Storytelling Sunday (on Friday): Crocheted Quilts

As I mentioned yesterday, I've been super busy. I thought I would not have time to participate in this month's Storytelling Sunday blog circle, sharing stories about the precious things in our lives. But then I read this awesome post from Sian and decided there was no reason not to participate (even if I am a little late). To see other participants from this month, go to this link.
So, a very simple post about the crocheted quilts made by my abuelita. They are warm, indestructible and, well, homey. When I was growing up, one of these was on every bed in the house. I have a green and yellow one on my bed right now. My mom gave me this pink one when I moved out, and it's on Clara's bed right now. And you know what? She loves it. Because there's something special about a quilt. I have been thinking about this post, ever since I read this quote on my friend Deb's blog:
After all, a woman didn't leave much behind in the
world to show she'd been there. Even the children
she bore and raised got their father's name. But her
quilts, now that was something she could pass on.”
 ~ Sandra Dallas
Are there any special quilts in your life?

22 comments:

Beverly said...

That is very pretty. The quilt my late mother in law made for me 2 years ago is special because she made it but also the design and fabric she used. One said is bright...my colors and the other has autumn colors.

scrappyjacky said...

I love crocheted quilts....we had them on our beds as children as well.
I really wish I could crochet myself....but have never been able to get the hang of it.

Missus Wookie said...

I do love quilts and that quote. Glad you managed to join in.

Karen said...

I have several well-used and beautiful quilts handmade by my grandmothers and great-aunts. My favorite, a red and white one, was on my bed growing up. It's not in good enough shape to have on top of a bed any more, but I can't bring myself to get rid of it.

Melissa said...

Oh yes, I have quilts in practically every room. We call the crocheted ones afghans and I have several of those, too, including the first yellow one Mama made for me when I was in elementary school.

Sian said...

This is gorgeous! I don't have any quilts, but I'm hoping that will be remedied over the next year as I am joining in with Fiona's Friendship quilt project. In fact I was shopping for fabric this morning. Thanks for joining in..it's not the same without you

Jane said...

I love quilts and I'm busy making one at the moment.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

I have a quilt from each of my grandmothers, one made frugally in the middle of WWII (which is mostly pink) and one made by my other grandmother in the mid 50's (it's red & white). They are both a bit fragile now so they just hang on their racks.

Sandie said...

I made a quilt when my daughter was small. It is huge - easily fits a double bed and meets the floor. I cut up fabric from clothes my children had outgrown, remnenants from clothes I had made, and other fabrics that had meaning to me. I lined it once with an old duvet cover. Another fabric that had special memory but the colours clashed and I eventually took it off. The quilt sits in the linen cupboard waiting for a new backing. I must line it and complete. It's meaning is magnified over the years and yes, quilts have soul and presence, and a place in a woman's existance.

Ladkyis said...

I have made a lot of quilts I recently gave two picture quilts to my youngest son and two ptachwork ones to my eldest son and my daughter has several including one that I wanted to look like a tiled floor with autumn leaves blowing across. I gave several as wedding presents and I still have five or six in my sitting room so that when it is cold we can cwtch under the quits and watch TV.... now there's a good welsh word, cwtch the sound is short like put - cutch - and it means all sorts of things one of them being to snuggle. Another is to hug, but it is so much more.

Alison said...

Not coming from a 'needlework ' family it's something I've never owned...however, like a few others I've joined the Friendship Quilt project, so I should have one by this time next year!!
Alison xx

Amy said...

I'm participating in the Friendship quilt as well and I am looking forward to having a lovely quilt at the end. My maternal grandmother was a great sewer, I would say that I don't really do her proud, but I think of her each time I try and sew anything!

Irene said...

Hi cuz, Angie and I have one from Abuelita too. I would see her sitting on her wicker chair by the kitchen window. She had poor vision and the natural light helped her see better. When her sight got worst she made the quilts by counting. My quilt is two shades of pink because she could not see the difference in color. I love my quilt because it was made with abuelita's loving hands.

Abi said...

I'm such a quilting fan and had never heard of this quote. I love the idea that each quilt has a story.

Miriam said...

I have the appliquéd quilt that I made for Ben's cot and a lovely cover crocheted my my grandmother. There is something very special about a handmade cover that is passed down the family. I have never heard that quote, it is beautiful.

Carola Bartz said...

Such beautiful, special quilts, Rinda. These are so precious.
There are actually no "special" quilts in my life, but when we did our big cross country trip in 2007 my husband promised me to buy me a big quilt for our bed on Amish country. And he did - I love it. I imagine how the Amish women stitched and worked on it. I actually have two quilts from there - one for the bed and a way smaller one as a wall hanging in my favorite fall colors.

Cheri said...

Just had a quick catch up on your blog. I LOVED all those sunset photos when I saw them on Instagram and knowing the stolen moment they represent makes it even better! Now I need to find time to catch up on my own blog...

Becky said...

I've never made a quilt, or had one. Quite fancy having a go, but think it might be one of those things that I start but never finish!

nancy y said...

oh there sure are! The crochet ones from my Great Grandmother come to mind first, she crocheted one for me as a wedding present even though she didn't like the colors I told her I wanted! And then there's the sewn one she made that my Mom just gifted to me, there's a lot of bright colors especially orange which was her favorite color. I even have the baby quilt my Dad's Mom made when he was born!

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Hi Rinda ~ I'm not sure how I missed this post, but I just read it and wanted to leave a comment about that beautiful quilt that Clara keeps on her bed. How naïve am I to have assumed everyone owned special quilts? I was surprised to read some of the comments here, and it makes me realize how very lucky I am to have so many wonderful hand-stitched quilts that have been passed down to me. ♥

Susanne said...

Very pretty, any girl young or old would love that. And you're being a little late in posting coincides perfectly with my being a little late in reading! Now I'm off to looks at all the lovely photos you've been taking too.

Anonymous said...

I don't have any quilts but I do have a special afghan my mother knit me. I started taking a quilting class a few years ago and have lots of fat quarters etc but I was pretty bad at it so I didn't finish it. Maybe once we're back from our trip next year I'll pull it all out again and at least finish it.