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| Ancestral Jewelby Ilene Atkins |
This is one of the first quilts I made, shortly after leaving the corporate world for more, shall we say, blue collar work. I no longer needed those woollen skirts and jackets, so I cut them up into 4" squares. Yes, cut them up. Happily cut them up.
The squares seemed big to me, so I cut them into quarters for 2" squares. I laid them down on the floor in a random diagonal way, then stitched them all together into rows.
Pressing was a big job, since all those seams are pressed open. If you've pressed wool before, you will know it takes a lot longer to press than cotton. You must wait for it to dry and cool as you press.
The finished quilt top was quite heavy, and reminded me of the heavy quilts my family had around when I was young, made from men's wool trousers. Mostly grey and brown, I loved sleeping under them. Loved the weight and the warmth in a (quite) cool room. I'm still like that! It didn't occur to me to put batting in the middle, so it just has a flannel backing. The quilting is all diagonal. Sorry, no close-ups.
I wanted to photograph this quilt and two others in nearby Woodside National Historic Site while there was still snow on the ground. It was mid March and quite warm, so I headed out to get my photos. The next day, all the snow was gone!
Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network, link here, and Anything Goes Monday, here.
Linking up to The Needle and Thread Network, link here, and Anything Goes Monday, here.
Beautiful work. Great setting for the photo!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting journey from suits to finished quilt. Then there is the scent of steaming wool as you pressed open all those seams... And that lovely photo! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow, a jewel indeed!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I love the story behind the quilt. Lovely picture!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Maybe when I retire I will happily cut up some of my work attire and incorporate them into something crafty. Awesome looking quilt and especially since it was your first!
ReplyDeleteFantastic quilt. I love the symbolic cutting up the 9 to 5 world but still creating something beautiful . I've been saving wool finds from thrift shops to make into a quilt someday as I too love the feel of a heavy quilt . Yours is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, rich looking quilt!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snapshot! Love the quilt that contrasts with the bright pretty snow! Wow, now you can use your quilt and recall which jacket that was.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! Such rich, intense colors - reminiscent of Amish quilts. And you took a beautiful photo as well. Very striking in the snow!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine just how heavy, warm and snuggly this quilt feels! Yum!