Grandma's Sewing Kit

Name/Title

Grandma's Sewing Kit

Description

Block: The Thrifty Wife; The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns, Page 311-11

Made/Created

Artist

Jessica Drennan

Place

City

Rigby

State/Province

Idaho

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Interpretative Labels

Label

"My grandmother, Gladys Andersen, and my mother, Alvina Drennan, constantly embroidered when I was young. My grandmother made many tablecloths and sequined calendars, while my mother loved to cross-stitch bibs and baby blankets. They both kept their threads and sewing supplies in Royal Dansk cookie tins, and my mom is still using them to this very day! We loved these cookies growing up and it was a real joy to include them in the "New Quilts From An Old Favorite," challenge. This image includes one of my grandmother's tablecloths, my wedding china, and some of my sewing supplies. It is made up of about 1200 individual pieces of cotton fabric, adhered together with fusible adhesive. No inks, paints, or pens were used, and the only non-fabric item included was the half moon beads for the heads of the pins. The block that borders the center image is called, "Thrifty Wife," which seems vey appropriate considering how careful my grandmother and mother were about using their thread and sewing supplies wisely. The piping and ruffled edge were included as a reminder of my grandmother's apron, as well. Many thanks to Jenni Berg, Vivienne Westra, and Kestrel Michaud for the advice and technical help, and to my beloved husband, Alan Westra, for all his love and support. I am especially grateful to Royal Dansk for their wonderful cookies, for being part of many special childhood memories, and for granting me permission to use their image in this challenge. Thank you!"

General Notes

Note Type

Techniques Used

Note

Fusible applique, piping, foundation paper piecing, and a ruffle incorporated over the binding. The appliqued part of the quilt is entirely made of fabric. No fabric pens, paints, or thread painting techniques were used to achieve the photo-realistic look. Approximately 1500 fabric pieces were used, some as small as a few millimeters in length. The blocks were free-motion quilted with silk thread, and the appliqued section was machine quilted with monofilament thread.

Note Type

Materials Used

Note

Cotton fabrics, Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 fusible web, Kimono silk thread and MonoPoly monofilament thread by Superior Threads, National Nonwoven WCF001 felt for batting, and tulle.