Friday, October 10, 2008

The Warmth of a Quilt

I love quilts. I really can't remember a time when I didn't. Even as a little girl, I remember preferring to be snuggled under a quilt at night. I loved the way a quilt felt. It felt a little heavy and a little cold when I first slipped under the covers, but after a few minutes, there was NO other feeling like it! As I warmed up beneath a quilt, it gave me a feeling of satisfaction and security too. I remember loving all the designs of quilts. Remember I told you that I've always loved pioneer days, even as a youngster? And, I remember especially loving patchwork quilts...even to this day!

As I got older and saw people quilting and realized all the work and love that goes into a quilt, I grew to respect and admire anyone that could quilt. I truly believe quilting is becoming a lost art form! I don't quilt although someday I think I'd really love to learn. But I ALWAYS wonder about a quilt when I see one...who made it...how long it took to make it...for whom it was intended....what their lives were like....

I think a quilt is something to treasure and I do treasure the ones I have. When we got married, Jason's grandma made us a quilt. I've always loved owls, so the quilt she made us had owls. This one is actually on the upstairs guest bed. I pulled down the bedspread to get a picture! :)



Through the years, I've acquired quilts along the way in different places and ways. I'll share a few more with you.

This one was given to me by Jason's aunt when she realized how much I loved them. She got it down from her closet and gave it to me. It was made by his other grandma. This one hangs in Joy's room.



This one was a quilt top made by my grandma. A friend finished quilting it for me. My mom and aunt recognized some of the fabric from when they were younger. It hangs on my quilt rack, which is currently at the end of the hall.



This quilt was made and given to me by another one of Jason's aunts whom I really loved for her spunkiness, Aunt Thelma. :) She brought it to me one time when she came to visit. It's the bottom one in the stack on top of my entertainment center. The rest of them came from flea markets.



One of my very favorites is an antique quilt that I purchased when Colt was a preschooler. I absolutely love the patchwork (probably my favorite)...and the colors in this one. It was made in the late 1890s. It hangs over the side of my staircase. I really imagine all sorts of stories about this one and the farmhouse that it might have come from and the family that lived there.



And that reminds me of a story to tell you when Colt was about three or four years old. I used to get videos of quilts from a gallery which allowed you to view, then call and purchase a quilt if you saw something on there you liked. Well it was so funny at the time because Colt would sit right with me watching those videos and he knew the names of the different patterns and would call them off! He would say, "Mama, you like that Grandma's Flower Garden one?" lol! (He would probably have a fit if he knew I was sharing that with you....shh..don't tell him)! He's nineteen now and he wouldn't admit it!

Here's another quilt folded on the bench in my foyer that came from a flea market. Sometimes they're not in the best shape, but folded up, they're just fine!



And of course, I have machine stitched ones too bought in department stores because I just love the way they look. Mostly those are used as bedspreads or hangings, like this one that hangs high up on the wall in our living room that has a vaulted 17ft. ceiling.



Although they're packed away and I can't show them to you today...soon I'll show you our Christmas stockings. They're made from old quilts that were made by a dear lady from a local flea market...Mrs. Shelby. We had the three for Jason, Colt and I...then Joy came along...and she made one for her too. I wouldn't trade them for any other kind at all! I love the homemade feel of them and the fact that they came from a well loved quilt!

And still to this day, I prefer a quilt on a cold night. I actually prefer a stack of quilts above an electric blanket. I love the heaviness of the quilt(s) and the way I feel all snuggled under it. And my kids prefer the same. As a matter of fact, I just asked Joy and Colt, "What is it that you love about a quilt?" Colt answered, "It feels cool to the touch kind of like the cool side of a pillow." Joy's answer was "It's just SO warm and makes me feel cozy." Actually, that's exactly what it does...not only does it warm our bodies on a cold night, but a quilt warms the heart!

What about you? Does a quilt hold special memories for you or provoke a certain thought or feeling when you see one or snuggle beneath one?

31 comments:

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

You have a wonderful collectin of quilts, Tammy! I love quilts, too. My dear Gram made many quilts and I have so many fond memories...helping her cut out the quilt patches, the sound of the Singer sewing machine, the stories she told me...aw, thanks for helping me remember those wonderful times. I have her old sewing machine and nice collection of buttons.

Have a great day and enjoy your weekend!

Paula said...

I'm a quilt-a-holic too, Tammy... and "Grandma-made" quilts are always so special!!!
When Hubby's Grandmother passed away, we found tons of unfinished quilt tops and blocks in her closet... ones she was making to give as gifts... what treasures!!

Dawn said...

Tammy your collection is beautiful and your have displayed them perfectly. My Grandma Botts had 16 children, 13 lived to be adults and before she died she made each one, one or more quilts. She didnt leave them with money but lots of memories in those fine quilts. Dawn

QuiltedSimple said...

What a wonderful quilt collection - I too love old quilts, and have one that is from the early 1900's - it was my grandfathers. They are a great way to keep the memories alive.
Have a good weekend.
Kris

basketsnprims said...

You have such beautiful quilts, Tammy. It's wonderful that many are from your family, or your husband's family. I bet you cherish them all. I have a few quilts that I will post someday. Enjoy the weekend. ~ Pam

Leslie said...

Wow, you have quite a few quilts :)

I have three old ones that my Gran gave to me...all were made by my Great Great Grandmother :) They hang on a ladder in my living room.

I always check out quilts anywhere that I see them, trying to find a steal but often, no matter what shape they are in, people think the price should be really HIGH. I haven't been lucky yet!

Have a great weekend!

JenW!~ said...

What a wonderful colection of quilts. I do not have any but am working on one of my own. My mom has one that my reat grandmother made her. I hope someday it will be mine.

Melanie said...

Wow I love your quilts and my mother is a quilter! My husband and I got our first quilt from a little old lady as a wedding present and thats the ONLY quilt we will use to cover ourselves. It's been 7 years and its still fluffy... I love your home its beautiful. Once we retire I want my home Americana/Country like. Have a blessed weekend..

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

I love quilts too and they have always been a part of my life. My Granny on my Dad's side, made quilts and taught me to hand quilt when I was very young. I wish I had paid closer attention. I have made one small lap quilt and used a sewing machiine. It was hard! So I know how hard a handmade quilt must be! I admire those who have the patience and skill to make such beauitful textiles!
You have a nice collection!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Tammy, I love your quilts! What a wonderful post, I enjoyed reading about all of them. I think quilts should be loved and enjoyed. I love to read my Bible in the morning wrapped up in a quilt with my coffee! I too have precious quilts from long ago relatives, I told my daughter 'we don't ever sell these or give these away!' Some are from great grandmothers...I'd like to pass down quilts to all my loved ones, I need to extend my lifetime I'd say 50 more years to do it! Hahaha...
Blessings,
Debbie

Lynn said...

Tammy, thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories of my younger growing up years and for sharing all your beautiful quilts!

When I was little, my Step Mom's Grandma Wycoff made quilts, and my parents and two brothers and sister and myself all had a nice, warm and cozy quilt on each one of our beds! Nothing like it, that's for sure! I'm like you, I'd take a quilt over using an electric blanket any day! The warmth of one just can't be beat! Joy is sooo right when she says it's very warm & cozy! :)

I'd like to try my hand out on making a quilt someday. I'd probably use a sewing machine for the stitches though, as my fingers don't work so well any more, for me to sew anything by hand by using a needle and thread.

Maybe I could start out with making a pillow cover, and then work my way up to a quilt that would fit one's bed. Now there's an idea! That would help me gain confidence too, that I just might be able to make one!

Have a wonderful weekend Tammy, and I absolutely love, love, love reading your blog!!

Tell Richie & Missy & their family, and Jason, Colt, Joy and your parents that my family and I said hi, and for all of them to have a great weekend too! You all take care! Thanks Tammy!

Love & Blessings,
Lynn/Okc

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

What a beautiful collection ya have!! I love how ya have them scattered throughout your home...how cozy it looks!
I love quilts too. I have many, some made by hubby's Gram...and a favotie one, very old ...ragged and worn...my great Grandma made...When my Gram passed away, my mom got it, and gave it to me- I cherish that OLD Quilt!!
BTW-That was too cute-about Colt-knowing the names!
your quilt post makes me wanna go get my quilt and snuggle up in it!! ;)

Have a Beautiful weekend, Tammy!

*hugs*
-Kath

the said...

That entertainment center is so cool. I love the punched tin, what a great display of quilts too!! Just looking at them makes me feel warm :)
Stephanie

Tammy said...

I loved seeing your collection of quilts...they are so beautiful!

Although I don't collect them, I so appreciate beautiful quilts, especially homemade ones! Lately, I've been seeing bloggers who make their own, and now, seeing your collection, I am wanting to even more learn how to quilt!
My grandmother could do it (she could do anything, knit crochet, sew!) and I so wish she could have taught me, but maybe I'll take a class this winter!

Thank you for showing us your wonderful collection!
~Tammy

Michele said...

Hi Tammy ~ what a wonderful post. You have a great collection of beautiful quilts. I don't have any quilts, so I may have to start looking for them at thrift stores.

Have a great weekend!
Hugz,
Michele

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mom,

I love my quilt! It is girly, but not TOO girly. And is is SOOO colorful!!!! I love thie colors of the flowers! The shadow of the quilt hanging up on our celing in the living room sometimes looks like barney.....SCARY!!!


Love, Joy =D

Sue said...

This post hit close to home! I am a quilt person and may post some of my quilts one day. I'd take a quilt over a blanket ANY DAY! I have memories of spending the night at my grandmother's house and being tucked in bed with so many quilts on the bed there was no way to move. The room was cold (no heat in the bedroom) but those quilts sure kept you warm. I can't imagine all the hours spent quilting (and it wasn't for looks--it was definitely for a need). Quilting is one thing I must learn and I hope to do so soon---although I'm sure I'll start with something very small.

Julie said...

Oh yes, I am a quilt-a-holic.LOL I have made several, have been given a few by family and have bought a few. I don't know what the draw is, but I LOVE quilts, fabrics, stories about quilts, books about quilts, quilt patterns, magazines with quilts, quilt stores, etc. etc. Great post!! Julie

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I just love quilts! I wish I could make one myself...but I can't, so I just paint them. Ha!

I love your collection. Oooh, I really like that one on the big wall with stars! Very nice!

My husband and I were given a quilt for our wedding from his grandma. It is so special to us. She unfortunately passed away less than 6 months after our wedding. I think a quilt definitely tells a story and great to pass down to each generation.

Have a great weekend.

P.S. Thanks Joy for your fun comment!! It meant so much!

Gettysburg Homestead said...

What a great collection Tammy. I especially love the ones that family have made. I have two from my grandmother. I can't bare to put them on beds so they are hung on my quilt racks. I have purchased a few from ebay, stores, and auctions. I display a few at a time but am afraid of ruining them.

I would love to make one other than a rag one sometime when I get the time. LOL.

Mary

Mabel and Edgars Early Goods said...

I love quilts too,any old textiles.But I also love owls.The owl quilt is a treasure.Michelle
thepurpleplum.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Tammy,

Love the quilts. I have a quilt that belonged to my Grandma. I asked for it to display. It was way to heavy to hang up. So I folded it and laid it across the foot of my bed. One cold night I found my hubby curled up under it. As soon as it gets cool out comes Grandmas quilt. It's a must on cool nights. I have a few and cherish them all. Great blog topic! :)

Donna

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

What beautiful quilts, Tammy! I agree that sleeping under quilts is just the best...

Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

ohiofarmgirl said...

My grandmother made quilts for a living as she raised my dad and his siblings. I only have one that she made but I have many from auctions and such. Dianntha

Sherry said...

Oh yes, quilts are special to me too. I took up quilting in 2001 & have been hooked ever since. Both of my grandmas were quilters & at least one of my great grandmas that I know of because I have the last quilt she ever made. I have many treasured quilts handed down to me. I loved viewing your quilt collection, thanks for sharing it! Have a great week-end!

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Hey...my friend....It's been awhile since I came by... I am up late trying to catch up my blogging, I love the quilt at the stairway...that's my favorite too. I love quilts too...I'll keep my secret from Cody...That's cute....It's just seem that our children was little...time fly...My daughter is 24 and married. You have a blesssed weekends...Katherinellen

Back in the Day said...

I love your quilts! I have always loved them too! I remember my grandma used to lay one on the wood burning stove and warm it a little for me. Your quilts are beautiful! Love the way you have them displayed!

Another Mom on the Internet said...

Thank you for sharing with us!

Daffodil Hill said...

I have always loved quilts, too, and have wonderful memories of my grandmother's quilts. You have some very beautiful ones!

Blessed Beyond said...

Wow, you have a wonderful collection of quilts! They are beautiful and have such a special meaning! I am with you, I love quilts and afaghans both! I do love quilts more, but I cherish anything homemade and passed on for generations! It is so heart warming and special! And most have a huge line of stories to tell with them! Thank you for this reminder! Hugs and Blessings

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Quilts are definately in my top 10 favorite things in life. Their beauty, the comfort they afford, the reminder of our grandmothers and their ingenuity, make quilts so special.

I even love the old tied quilts (ticks). I made my husband a flannel quilt for Christmas with a wool blanket as the middle layer rather than batting. It the heaviest thing ever but using it is like getting a warm hug. Its very simple but he loves it!

Thanks for sharing your collection. I'll have to try to take some photos of my quilts to share with you. If you're like me, you like viewing them as well as owning them.

Smiles,
Lea