Saturday, September 29, 2018

September Mini--barely

Wendy issued an invitation at the beginning of the year for anyone who would like to join her in making a mini a month. Mine are usually just squeaking under the wire--like this one.

When I realized the month was almost over, and my time at home was very limited, I decided to quilt up a top I already had made. This little quilt has a story behind it.

My Mom was always making bed quilts to give to family members. Each time she started a new one Dad would tease that maybe this one would finally be for him. So when she started on a quilt that came to be known in the family as "The Cowboy Quilt", Dad asked if this one was his and she surprised him by saying yes. 

I made this little basket wall hanging almost entirely out of leftover pieces from the making of the cowboy quilt, that did in fact become Dad's (and since Dad's passing, my brother owns The Cowboy quilt). The only exception is that the blue sashing and binding are made from pieces of my Dad's favorite shirt.

That shirt had become so threadbare in places, I had to cut carefully to get the strips I needed. It is a little curly in one corner in the photo above. I hadn't finished the binding yet and the pins that were holding it down distorted the corner.


The quilting is just  stitch-in-the-ditch on the basket blocks and around the sashing. I did a simple rope design in the border. That is a quick "go to" design for me when I don't want to feather a border.

The backing fabric has little blue flowers, and you will notice that the baskets are holding something blue as well. There is significance to that. Mom has always joked with us about a couple of songs that she says we should sing at her funeral one day. One song references gathering armfuls of blossoms of blue, and ends with the line "Dear Mother, all flowers remind me of you." 

We recently learned of the origins of the song and it makes the whole thing rather melancholy, but I didn't know the origin when I planned this quilt, and that song was going through my mind the whole time I worked on it.

That's it for now. Quite a lack of sewing time lately.
Until next time, 
Janet O.

Oops, I forgot to announce the winner of the drawing. :)
Brenda's name was drawn from those interested. Please send me your snail mail address Brenda, and I will get this little package sent your way.

39 comments:

  1. Another lovely mini, and so special that you were able to use some bits from your dad's favorite shirt. I hope you find a little more time for relaxation and quilting in the new month! September has been an extemely busy month.

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  2. What a sweet and precious quilt with a sweet and precious story! I'm glad your dad finally got his cowboy quilt and I love that you used his shirt for the binding fabric. This is beautiful!

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  3. Those stories always make a quilt, big or small, more special. This is another one that has that hook to the heart.

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  4. Another great mini to add to your collection. I love that it is memorable.

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  5. Special, special, special!! Love those quilts that have a family story! I’ve never FMQ a rope design! I’ll have to add that one some time! It’s lovely!

    Blessings and hugs!

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  6. another beauty janet...with a beautiful story as well..

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  7. I love your story as much as your darling quilt!

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  8. Another beautiful mini !! I love the colors and the setting !

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  9. A fabulous little quilt and a wonderful sweet memory! I will link this post to mine now. Thanks for sticking with the minis! You are amazing!

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  10. Darling mini, with a sweet start—and finish love the basket blocks. Congratulations on a beautiful quilt.

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  11. I love the story of your little quilt made from Dad's shirts and left overs from the quilt your mother made for him. A good memory quilt for you.

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  12. What a sweet little quilt and wonderful remembrance of both your parents!

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  13. It's a beautiful quilt. I try and add some of my mother's fabric from her stash in every scrappy quilt I make. Hugs

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  14. Glad you shared your mini. What a great story it has. Using your Father's favorite shirt! Wow!!

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  15. What a beautiful little quilt with such meaning behind it! That plaid from your dad's shirt sings in this little work!

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  16. This is another beautiful mini, and it comes with such a beautiful story. I looked up the song, and while it is very sweet, I think sometimes the world needs sweet songs like those.

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  17. I love basket quilts and this mini is no exception. I especially like the placement with all the baskets facing outwards. Is this a traditional pattern or one of your own. So nice to have a memento of your parents in this sweet mini.

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  18. Beautiful baskets and the shirting plaid is the perfect tribute to your Dad!

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  19. Such a pretty mini quilt and a wonderful combination of memories and fabrics from your parents!

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  20. What a sweet quilt with so much meaning!!

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  21. Great story behind your September mini - I hope you’re putting it on the label. Congrats Brenda!

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  22. Your basket mini is wonderful. Love the way you used pieces of your Dad's favorite shirt. So sweet!

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  23. What a sweet little quilt and a special story. I always love the story behind the quilting decisions.

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  24. Your September mini is filled with a special memory - I love hearing the reason behind quilts.

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  25. That little mini basket quilt is just SOoooo simple & beautiful dear Janet! How special that the binding was from your dear Dads favourite shirt. I just adore your minis. When my Dad passed away I made a large mohair bear called "Olde Boy" because Mum used to call Dad that & we pinned all his war medals to that. Have a lovely week Janet

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  26. Enjoyed your post Janet. The project - a miniature Cowboy Quilt - is precious. I can just see you singing =^.^=

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  27. A beautiful quilt with warm memories!

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  28. Lovely story! BTW how do you quilt the "simple" rope design. It doesn't look simple to me. It looks like it is done by machine. Do you mark it with a stencil?

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  29. Sweet story ... what a special mini to have on hand -- all the memories!! Happy October, sweet friend! :)

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  30. Baskets quilts are some of my favorites and this little one is adorable! I love to hear the stories behind quilts too. I am curious how you quilted that rope design, as I can't figure out how it's done.

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  31. What a special little quilt Mom! Beautiful as always

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  32. I love your mini Janet and such a warm and wonderful story behind it. Do you use a stencil for the rope border - I've never tries that design, not sure how to get it as beautiful and even as yours?!

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  33. I love the baskets with all of the plaids and especially the one from your Dad's shirt. Your quilt has a sweet story and of course, your quilting is wonderful.

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  34. You pack a lot of meaning into a small mini!. Its a lovely quilt with a lovely story.

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  35. What a touching story! I love that your brother got your dad's quilt and that now you have a mini to remember your dad and his quilt by. I just love when quilts have such warm family stories.
    The colors in this are lovely and remind of how it is looking outside lately.
    brown leaves, grey skies and pale yellow sun.
    Love it!
    congratulations to Brenda - lucky winner :)

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  36. the blue and brown are beautiful together, complimentary colors … gorgeous!

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  37. A beautiful quilt full of fond memories. Just love it!

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  38. Janet, I think this is one of my very favorite quilts of yours - especially with the wonderful story that is attached!!

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  39. This is such a beautiful, pleasing little quilt. The colors are so comforting. I like the variety of browns/tans you used and that you kept the same blue for all four baskets. And the so carefully cut fabric for sashing and binding, using your dad's shirt, is perfect.

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