A Stitch in Time

I celebrate things from the past made of fabric and thread by women whose creations were preserved in closets and cupboards.  They were found at estate sales, garage sales, antique malls and resale shops. Many times these objects and fabrics were not used before they were stored away for a new generation to discover. 

I also like to work with silk fabrics from the past, men’s neckties and women’s clothing. Their vibrant colors and beautiful textures add a rich dimension to a quilt. Color, pattern, and repurposing are all things that excite me when I design and make my quilts. 

Grandma's Scrap Bag

Grandma’s Scrap Bag

51.5” h x 44” w

My mother-in-law gave me a bag of scraps that must have come from her mother. I found enough to make this small quilt that also incorporates some star shapes that came from the antique mall. The quilt is hand quilted. 

Bold and Bright

Bold and Bright

51.5” h x 54.5” w

My sisters gave me Marimekko scraps from the vintage fabric store in Crystal Lake. Illinois for my birthday. I used what they gave me for the front and back. I love how the dyes all match throughout the variety of prints. The flowers are hand quilted and the remainder is tied with thread. 

Vegetable Medley

Vegetable Medley

88” h x 58.5 “ w

I love these vegetables that I found on dish towels. The appliquéd ones showed signs of use while the embroidered ones seem to have never been used. I combined scraps from the cloths as well as cotton picot for the white areas. The quilt is tied with thread.

Tea Party

Tea Party

81” h x 69” w

I found the quilt top at a garage sale, the doll and baby clothes came from an estate sale. I think the bibs and apron came from a thrift store. The quilt is tied with thread.

Venice

Venice

67.5” h x 60.25” w 

My sisters introduced me to a vintage fabric shop in Crystal Lake, Illinois. I discovered these silk fabrics as well as the raw silk used on the back. I was indecisive when I saw the fabrics. My sister Martha insisted I buy them and in a short time I made the quilt. I filled in the back border with old neckties. The quilt is tied with thread. 

Blowing in the Wind

Blowing in the Wind

76.25” h x 76.25” w

The pinwheels were found at an antique mall. The remaining fabrics are from men’s shirts.

I am always amazed when I see old quilt pieces that were pieced together to make the final shape. To imagine that there was not enough fabric to make complete pieces is so foreign to the abundance of today. The quilt is tied together with thread.

Broken Dishes

Broken Dishes

59.75” h x 59” w

The red and white quilts of the past as well as classic quilt patterns interest me.

The white areas are filled with the quilt pattern made up of small triangles called many names including “broken plate”.  My design reminds me of a dinner party where someone drops a stack of dishes.  The quilt is tied with thread.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums

72” h x 48” w

I found some beautiful square linen napkins at a church sale and folded them into the origami chrysanthemum. I threw in the pinwheel design for a little hand quilting and added the white yo-yos for some interest. 

Dinner Party

Dinner Party

68” h x 56.25” w

I have collected crochet potholders for a many years. They are abundant and are usually in good condition since many linger in drawers until it is time for the estate sale. I marvel at the craft of making them and the whimsey that comes with the ones that look like clothing.  The quilt is tied with thread.

Mars/Venus

Mars/Venus

62” h x 64” w

I didn’t realize I had a male/female composition going.  Someone observed that the red silk ties are balanced with the repurposed silk dupioni capri pants. This quilt is hand quilted.

Blue Sky

Blue Sky

74” h x 77.5” w

The blue fabrics are from men’s dress shirts. The yo-yos were discovered at a garage sale.

The quilt is tied together with thread.