When I met Angela recently to pick up her Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt, she told me an interesting story about it. The story behind the quilts, in many instances, is what appeals to me the most about quilts. Angela told me she started this quilt in high school (oh, sometime back in the 70s) and it was made from scraps. What was interesting to me (besides the fact that she still had something she had made in high school) were the fabrics. Apparently, one of Angela's aunts worked in a factory where they made men's boxer shorts. She would bring home scraps for the various women in the family to use. This quilt has some of those scraps. I love a good juxtaposition of ideas--so some of the men's boxer short fabrics are right up against prints that may have been used for women's aprons. Yea, that's my kind of fun!
Have a Creative Day, Y'All!
(Do click for a larger, more personal view)
Can you see the little cyclists on this patch? How fun! Very definitely boxer short fabrics! Love it!
I just love Grandmother Flower Garden quilts! They speak volumes for american fabric history.
A few years back, our guild got a donation from a woman who worked for a company that made boxers and pajamas for men. We took the scraps and made up a bunch of quilts with them. Lots of stripes and checks!
ReplyDeleteI loooove it it looks so good! Now winter needs to come back so I can sleep under it! Angela
ReplyDeleteThat is awfully cute! I really like those bold colors in the center of the flowers too:) Makes me want to finish with mine:)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother worked in a factory that made housedresses/aprons/pajamas and she brought home the scraps and made blanket covers (she did not quilt). In my early years, I re-used many of these 1940's & 50's fabrics in my quilts. Great history - and for me, an emotionally satisfying tie to my Nanny, who always had a needle in her hand.
ReplyDeleteI have loved catching up on all your quilting and stash-busting. And strip quilts! Stay tuned for my next book.
Before I was married, I always folded the wash for my mother. I remember the prints for boxer shorts and men's pajamas being a lot more whimsical than they are now. I'm glad Angela held on to her quilt. It looks beautiful in it's final incarnation. The quilting really sets it off.
ReplyDelete