Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Vintage Thingies Thursday

Whew, well I finally got that BOM quilt off the machine [more on that tomorrow] after fussing around with it for days, and just in time because today is hooray, VTT and Colorado Lady is our hostess with the mostest!
So if vintage and antique interest you please visit Suzanne's blog to see the list of all the other VTT bloggers.
A couple of weeks ago while I was at the San Juan guild quilter's retreat one of the members gave me a very special gift- twenty five dainty vintage 30's Dresden Plate quilt blocks!
These are the smallest I have seen measuring only a scant ten inches across.


I was stunned to say the least but Claudia said that seeing that I had completed three other vintage quilts I was the only person she knew who would do the right thing with these blocks.


They were made by her grandmother back in the 1930's. Peggy Anna Kinney was born in New Jersey in 1898 and died in 1965 and I am very pleased to have this provenance so that I can put it on the label when I get the quilt done.


The blocks are neatly hand sewn as you can see from this photo of the back and they came with a stack of muslin blocks that are a bit small so I think I will have to buy some similar muslin to applique the blocks.
I was really moved that Claudia would give me such treasures but she said she has kept some to make into memory blocks for family and she knows she will never make a quilt with these herself. Her GM must have been a prolific piecer to have left so many blocks.
So these delightful pieces of history will go on my projects list, probably a good thing for me to do in the summer in CO. while I am away from my longarm machine.
Happy VTT to all!


19 comments:

Coloradolady said...

What an amazing gift indeed! These blocks are beautiful. I am so sure you will do these proud!!! Lucky Duck!!! Have a great VTT!

Pat said...

I think it was a wise choice to give those blocks to you. I'm sure you will turn them into the lovely quilt their original maker envisioned them to be!

Brenda said...

What a special gift! I hope to come across some antique blocks someday in my travels. I think it would be neat to have a piece of history that someone put such love and attention in.

Vonlipi said...

Those are really beautiful. I can't wat to see the finished quilt.

Happy VTT!

viridian said...

what a special gift indeed. Excellent sewing, and carefully preserved too. I love the fabric from this era.

Cheryl Willis said...

I know you will enjoy getting to work on this treasure. I have several future TO-DO's from older blocks gifted to me. I especially like the dresden plate ones, so many fabrics to see. enjoy-cw

Heather said...

what a coincident. At my guild meeting last week there was a box of similar rings and tons of extra pieces. It was available for a small donation to the quilt. Same era fabrics even. I wish I were the finishing type.

Paulette said...

Wow, those are FANTASTIC!! I am in a Dresden plate sew-along right now, and just made my first one last week. Had one of these beautiful quilts made by my mom on my bed as a child. I can't wait to see what the quilt will look like when you finish it. It's so special that you will be completing this woman's work.

Tammy said...

What a great gift for a quilter. Looking forward to see the finished quilt. Happy Vintage Thursday.

Maureen said...

What a wonderful gift! They will make for a very special quilt.

Postcardy said...

I love seeing those blocks with so many different vintage fabrics.

Unknown said...

LOVE these!! I have a small stash I bought years ago at an antique mall in Stillwater, MN. I'v never considered quilting them but I do like using them like doilies. So colorful and fun :)

Blessings!
Gail

Miri said...

Great blocks and they've gone to the right person...you will do something lovely with them.

The fabrics are so wonderful!

CC said...

That's one of the most special gifts ever..it's a sweet,wonderful thing she did by gifting the blocks to someone who would not only make the quilt,but treasure it as well. I love this pattern and the fabrics..and can't wait to see it all done. It's going to be a beauty..
Happy VTT...

Unknown said...

What a wonderful honor for you!!!! This is just the perfect way for a woman's legacy to go forward.....beautiful pieces in wonderful colors!!!!!

Unknown said...

These are really neat! I'm excited to see what you do with them!

Sarah

farmlady said...

How charming and beautiful. What a gift indeed.
I know that you will make something just gorgeous out of these.

★Carol★ said...

That was a very generous gift, especially since her grandmother made them! I know that I would have a hard time letting go of something like that, but she obviously knew that you would make a beautiful quilt with them, and treasure it as well. I don't know the names of alot of the quilt patterns, but Dresden Plate has always been my favorite. I will love seeing the finished quilt!
Happy VTT!
Carol

Stacey said...

I just love these quilt blocks! The vibrant colors are so much fun:)