01 April, 2009

Applique Quilt of Birds and Birdhouses

Mom just finished a quilt-for-hire project, and I'm really sad to see this one go. It's probably her best work yet. But at least it's going to my Aunt Marsha, and I'll get to visit it every once in a while.

This quilt was done entirely by applique, which means she cuts out teeny-tiny pieces of fabric and appliques them onto the quilt block.

Then she hand-stitches embellishments...

...like the flowers 'round a birdhouse...

...the needles of a pine bough...

...the creepers from a grape vine...

...or the delicate stamens of a flower.

My favorite block may be this one, but I've always had a fondness for blue jays.

Although this sunny yellow guy definitely makes me smile.

Go ahead and click on any of the images...

...it's the only way to see all the detail.


The time and effort Mom puts into her quilts is amazing, and she is able to get the work done despite her furry "helpers."

The end result is an heirloom that will get passed down through the generations.

We are definitely quilt crazy in our family! We have projects scattered throughout the house. This one that Bella is lounging on is a pillow made from a quilt square given to us by my grandfather's friend Ruby. She was quilting all the way into her nineties.

7 comments:

Karen Anne said...

That's amazing. How long did it take your Mom to do that?

Lady Quilter said...

Thank you . . . .I've been working on it, on and off, since late last fall. The actual machine quilting took two evenings.

Joanne said...

But you did spend many a long evening with the handwork. :-)

Jan Marie said...

Gorgeous quilt!!!

Those kitties get around!! And they are very photogenic.

Jen said...

Yellow Finches love thistle seeds.

Box House Mom....This is lovely. Love it.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt!

Noob Priest Rising said...

Good reading your ppost