Little Quilts

This little half square triangle scrap quilt is very sweet.  I did this one several years ago and it is hand quilted.

I recently watched a quilt video where several techniques were shared in using vintage linens to incorporate into your quilt pieces.  One of my favorite tips was using pieces of lace on the back of your quilts to make a casing with which to hang them with.  I loved this idea.....since I have boxes and boxes of vintage lace and linens.  So I went digging and found this collar set....I used one half of it on this piece.  What a nice little surprise...like a piece of jewelry... for the back of the quilt.

This little cutie patootie is from a recent online challenge from Kathleen Tracy.  She has written several books based on historical type doll quilts, while incorporating historical diaries and writings from the appropriate time-period.  Here is her website to check out her books and her blog as well.  I have taken a class from her and am anticipating another fun weekend next February when she comes back to Iowa  for a quilt retreat at our local Grout Museum.

 http://www.countrylanequilts.com/

I did machine quilt this little piece.  I love using the special stitch on my sewing machine that looks like a hand stitch...a great affect without the effort.  I also used a leftover piece of binding to finish the edge and included the other collar piece of lace for the casing.  Nice touch, don't you think.  :)

I like to collect label type fabrics of all different varieties when I see them.  This one looks like it has been ink with sepia tone ink.  I used some fine tip permanent fabric markers to hand color it and then wrote my info all around the outside of the design.

Kansas City, WWI & Princess Diana

I am sure you would have no idea what these three things could possibly have in common, unless you were to visit Kansas City this spring.  We had the opportunity to do that for a few days during hubby's spring break from school.  My dear husband found out there was a Princess Diana exhibit that just opened recently at the Union Station in Kansas City and he was sure I would want to see it.....and I certainly did.

As would be expected you are not allowed to take pictures inside the gallery and unfortunately there is no show book or catalog of the items either, which I thought would have been a nice touch.  Oh, but for someone like me who loves textiles of every shape and form.....it was wonderful to see her wedding dress, tiara, shoes and several designer gowns from Chanel, Valentino and others.  And the jewelry....a crown, several necklaces and pins....were breath-taking.  And probably my favorite thing and the one thing I really wanted to photograph most of all was a diary entry for August 27, 1979, my birthday and she was having tea with Princess Margaret.  Which I though was just lovely.  :)

Then we went to the near by WWI museum, which in all honesty I had very little knowledge about.  That was wonderful and I would highly recommend it to any one who loves American history.  I believe it is only a few years old and was built under the WWI  Monument that was already there.  We spent part of  two days to really see it all.  And we both came away knowing and understanding the climate of that time and sobered again by the sacrifice of so many.  I am always drawn to the textiles that tell the story from a woman's point of view and here are the highlights from that display.

A crazy quilt type piece made from WWI uniforms and shown on the right is a closer view.

A gold star piece that is crocheted, that would have hung in your home's window when your military son/husband had died in service.

A WWI signature quilt....typically these were made from a church, school, family or town, some kind of community that they would have all had in common.  Sometimes they were used as fund raisers....you would pay to have your family members name included.  This piece would make a great history study project.

Gorgeous lace that was used as a bandage roll.

This was a German memorial piece done on perforated paper like we can get today.  The 8-pointed stars are stitched and the rest are paper type shapes that have been cut out & glued.

The US was credited with saving thousands of lives in Belgium from starvation, so in gratitude for the American food Belgians embroidered flour sacks they had received and returned them to the US.



Just a glimpse of some of the items you would enjoy if you get that direction.  Enjoy!!!