The blocks were a classic example of quilting from those years...
saving new fabrics leftover from sewing dresses, aprons, and pajamas,
and using them to design and create another functional yet artistic and beautiful work...a precious, treasured quilt.
After she and my father began their family, my mother also collected scraps from her own sewing. It seems that beautiful pastel floral prints were her favorite.
Mother only purchased yardage for the white background fabric.
Most likely with help from her mother-in-law and her sisters-in-law,
the top was hand-quilted and finished by the end of the 1950's.
From the beginning to the end of making this quilt, she managed to birth and care for five of her eventual seven children,
and make most of her children's clothing.
Yes. I'm impressed.
In this block she remembers that the white daisies on blue background fabric was from my Mother's housecoat.
The green checked fabric was an apron.
The light blue with the tiny print was a dress for her.
The other fabrics in this block were from our grandmother's sewing.
The green with tiny red hearts fabric was left over from dresses sewn for my two oldest sisters.
Mother thought quilts were to be used.
Period.
and texts back and forth to my sister...
I found her pattern!
I managed to purchase a used copy of this book published in 1935.
only this one page. To attempt this Friendship Dahlia quilt, you needed to possess excellent sewing and quilting skills. Rotary cutters, acrylic templates, pre-cut fabrics, and walking feet for machine quilting were not available.
My sister shares,
"Mother used a paper pattern just like we used when we made clothes. They were all individually cut by hand. I remember her putting that paper petal on fabric and cutting around it."
I know because the last time I stayed at my sister's house, she invited me to sleep under it.
I slept very well.
Mother's Friendship Dahlia quilt.