Poor, poor little neglected blog. It’s been so boring here lately that there hasn’t been much point in blogging. Not that nothing has been happening — it’s been very busy, but there just hasn’t been much blog-worthy to report. Lots of cleaning, errand running, cleaning, visiting, cleaning — with all that cleaning, why doesn’t it look much cleaner around here? That drives me crazy — you work and work and work and things still look much like they did. At least there’s a big pile of garbage in the garage to show for the efforts. Too bad the pile isn’t bigger.
One little bit of excitement happened this weekend when MeMum and I put one of her antique quilt tops on the basting frame. I’d forgotten how much work it is to baste a quilt. We could just quilt it on this frame, but she has another quilting frame that tilts, which makes the quilting a little easier on the back.
We basted for a few hours today and there’s still a bit more to do. There was a little debate over whether we should quilt it at all, but in the end, we decided it might help protect the quilt. This is a very old, hand-pieced top. Some of the seams aren’t even 1/4″ wide, which makes them pretty fragile.
It’s been a fun basting job and I’m really looking forward to the quilting. I love looking at all the different fabrics. There are several pieces that were cobbled together — I always think that’s a fun thing to see in an older quilt.
And there are two or three tiny holes. We’ll be doing a little research in how to best handle their repair as we do the quilting. I’m looking forward to working on this quilt — I hope we finish it in this lifetime. Our basting has been so slow, I’m beginning to worry a bit!
Alas, another weekend gone. They always whiz by. ;-( Have a good week!
XOXO,
Anna
Basting a quilt looks like LOTS of work. I love the little pieces that are cobbled together too.
Your quilt is a treasure! I enjoyed seeing the poverty patching amongst the wonderful piecing. Was your MeMum the creator of this quilt top, or was it from family? I think you’ll only be glad for quilting it! Thank you for the peek ~
:-}pokey
Now that is a treasure of a quilt – is it a family thing – did I miss that in your post? First off I admire that you are even doing the hand quilting – that’s what the quilt deserves but I’d have to do the machine quilting cuz I don’t hand quilt – you rock sister. Isn’t it amazing how time does fly by – holy smokes hubby has been retired almost 11 months – WOW seriously it’s gone fast – most days LOL.
Looking forward to seeing you in KC – Hugs – Me
I was having similar thoughts about cleaning this evening and finally had to remind myself that my home doesn’t have to be perfect and I don’t have to do it all now. It’s hard to let it go, especially with two cats shedding like crazy.
What a neat looking quilt top, and how blessed you are to have a mother who enjoy doing things like that with you. Have fun!
What’s more fun than having a mother who shares a love for quilts! I’m not sure if I would have the patience to restore an antique quilt, but it’s beautiful! Especially love those little imperfections!
Wow! That really is something to treasure and how wonderful to be able to work on it together
I know what you meant about cleaning and cleaning and some more cleaning, and still, the next day it looks like it’s never been clean at all. I think I need one of those door mats with the words “The house was clean last week (sorry you missed it!) ;).
Your mum’s antique quilt is gorgeous. Are you going to quilt it together?
Wow, that looks like a real labour of love.
And I am almost at the stage where I think there is no point in cleaning, as it will look the same as it does now within 5 minutes of the girls coming home, but I will feel resentful. If I don’t bother, I may stay in a good mood. Right? If only life worked like that!
Wow Anna, so happy you and your Mum are doing that together xoxoxo I love it!
What a fun project! Basting, however, is my least favorite part of quilting.
Oh wow Anna, that is a beautiful quilt. How nice for you both to do this together, and I believe you’ll get it done.
Aren’t you lucky! It’s so nice to work on vintage fabrics. That red is fabulous. :-)
How beautiful, but fragile. It will be fantastic when you get it done. These are long term projects anyway. But worth it.
So beautiful. Is it 1870-1880? Love the fabrics, especially the shirtings. Aren’t we lucky to have mothers near by? I know what you mean about quilting that top but it needs hand quilting right? And I do agree that quilting it will preserve it best. Can’t wait to see it finished.
A women work…… hmmm!! That is one amazing quilt, and one amazing basting job. When it’s done it will be such a treasure. If only that quilt could talk…the history—wow!!
opps … meant womens!!
Maybe you can convince sweetie pit to come visit for a long weekend and get her to help with the quilting? It’s a great opportunity to learn, take pictures, create memories… ;p
it really is beautiful. :P
Why, oh why, do weekends fly? You are so fortunate to be able to share this with your mom. It’s a lovely quilt in every way and it’s going to be a beautiful heirloom. :)
thanks for sharing that beautiful quilt top with us anna. i hope you have hours of fun times with memum while doing it!
What a beautiful quilt, Anna! I bet your mom really enjoyed that time with you :)
Be still my heart! fabric explorers while quilting, doesn’t get much better than that.
So love that pattern and, the fact that it’s an antique quilt makes it even more lovable! ;o) I read you about nothing worthy to blog and yet busy! So love the way you bake and decorate. Gosh, I feel as though I’m reading a Martha Stewart post! Everything is so lovely! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
That is a lovely quilt! It is such a great fabric study and that red is so rich.
I thought the time crunch was just happening to me, how is it going by so quickly?
What a lovely old quilt, you need to draft in more quilters and have an old-fashioned quilting bee:) I wonder what the history of the quilt is – I take it that it isn’t a family piece?
I can’t wait to see more. What a painstaking process. But totally worth it in the end.
What a great project. and your doing it with your mom, that’s even better. I can’t wait to see it when you girls are done. I bet you can’t either. lol
What a challenge you’ve got ahead of you! I’d say you and your mom are dedicated quilters! Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Looks like a very labour intensive way to baste…but I bet the results of doing it this way make it worth while. The quilt is lovely and I think it is great that it is being finished…wouldn’t the quilt-maker be thrilled.
That is a labor of love! And how fun to be able to do this with your mom! I can’t wait to see the finished quilt. :)
It is wonderful that you and your mum can work on the beautiful antique quilt together.
Every stitch will be worth it when you see the finished quilt. :)
Pretty quilt. Hey busy life is good, not for blogging but still good ;-P
Clarice
Love the shoes, the fabric and drooling over the cake. That is a very interesting quilt y’all are basting, how old is it?
I think it is so wonderful that you are hand quilting this treasure of a quilt!
Oh Anna, what a gorgeous old qult! How lovely to be hand quilting something that old. Enjoy!