Things My Grandmother Knew: A Series

Originally published, May 25, 2012

Oh man!  This is one thing I wish I had learned.

I have quilts made by my great-grandmother. Quilts made by my grandmother and quilt tops and quilt blocks made by my grandmother just WAITING for me to figure out how to do it.

I almost got started shortly after moving out here.  I decided what quilt top I was going to finish, bought the batting, the coordinating trip and backing and then just never got things off the ground.  I almost feel ashamed when I think of how many my grandmother and great grandmother completed during their lives.

They made some simple block quilts, crazy quilts, log cabin quilts, and others.  BUT, my favorite was the double wedding ring style.  It’s tiny blocks and delicate stiching with my favorite shape (the circle) all intertwined together made it a remarkable piece of art to me.  I have one in particular that I treasure and watch over like a hawk.

SO…now, I face a dilemma.  Since both my great-grandmother and grandmother have passed away, WHO is going to be patient enough to teach me.  I’ve tried reading books about it…but it is such a big undertaking to start all alone.  I really don’t want to take a “class” at some craft store. That seems so impersonal.  AND, I’m not sure I want to join a quilting group where I don’t know anyone.  SO, I don’t know where to go from here.  BUT, this is one thing my grandmother knew, that I wish I would have learned.