My column this week in the Evansville Courier and Press is about Donna Bische and her quilts. Check out her story here.
Donna Bische at her machine
I remember my grandma quilting. I also remember always having one of her quilts on my bed. Here is the one I lived with growing up. Oh, the stories it could tell!
My little dutch girl quilt
The materials in this quilt were from grandma’s, mom’s, and my siblings’ clothing. Check out the grinders!
Grinder material
Then here is Smokey the bear, or least I think that’s who he is.
Smokey Bear material
And then this lovely material.
Floral Fabric
I love looking at all of these vintage materials – remembering some of the material and others having no idea what item of clothing they came from BUT knowing they were made from scraps.
Well, I was bitten by the quilting bug and was active in the local guild, Raintree Quilters Guild many years ago. I never made a full-size quilt, but did make several wall hangings.
This wall hanging was even hung in one of the RQG’s quilt shows. It’s called “It’s a Jungle Out There.” I loved the Attic Window Quilt pattern. This small quilt has hung in my house everywhere I’ve lived except here. I just dug it out of the box it lived in to move here (3 years ago!) and am looking for a place to hang it again.
"It's A Jungle Out There" Quilt
This was machine pieced with just a little hand quilting.
Closeup of "It's a Jungle Out There"
You might notice in the upper left block you can see a cat peeking in the window!
While looking for this wall hanging I found several of my unfinished projects including a couple quilts. Seeing all of Donna’s beautiful quilts and listening to her story inspires me to want to to pull out those projects and start sewing. However, it sounds like a cold weather activity when the garden and yard chores have slowed down.
Love your quilts Lynda. You talked like you do not do much quilting. It is wonderful. I love the lions in the windows. You know I love to see quilts as it gives me ideas….I think a light has come on!!!!
The one from your childhood is such a beautiful one. It took alot of time for Grandma? to make. I hope to someday get that tallented. I know it takes time to get that good. I am waiting and practicing to get to that point.
Donna, Thanks. I’ve not done much quilting in years. That cat wall hanging was made over 20 years ago. Gosh, I can’t believe its been that long. And you are so talented!
There were 3 generations of quilters in my family, so I’ve always loved them! I’ve never made one myself, but I love to see other people’s creations. Thanks for sharing!
The quilt from your childhood is beautiful! I love old quilts made out of scraps of clothing, so special! The one you made yourself is wonderful as well, love the bold colors and the lions in the windows