I knew I would never ever finish it... I didn't like the fabrics anymore, I wasn't happy with the design and to be honest there are too many other things I would rather be doing. So when Kayla Coo left me a comment that said "Don't throw your Laura Ashley quilt away because I think it's lovely", there followed an email exchange the result of which was I sent her the unfinished quilt top along wth the the bag of remaining fabric hexagons. And last week Kayla sent me this photograph... the quilt alomost finished by her mother in law.
And I think it is beautiful! I love that someone else has taken the care to turn something I had discarded into a thing of beauty. I love that two stitchers who have never met have both worked into this quilt, over twenty years apart. I love that continuity and connectivity. Which leads very nicely into my next idea....
And so I have a request for you my blogging friends... do you have any scraps of lace at home? Pieces that might have been handed down to you, pieces from wedding dresses or christening gowns, bits cut from garments or projects, hankerchiefs or petticoats... anything that might hold memories. If you do and you would be willing to part with even the tiniest scrap, would you be willing to send me a piece? If so please leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll let you know where to send it.
What I would like are snippets of lace together with a brief note about why they hold special memories. My plan is to incorporate them into my final piece of work together with the text - I'm not entirely sure how yet but I know I'm excited about the idea and would love it if could help me. Thank you!
Oh I wish I had some lace to send as this is such a fabulous idea. If only you needed stashed yarn--then I could definitely contribute!
ReplyDeleteK x
I must have some somewhere, I'll have a look and let you know.
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to have two bedroom lampshades made from her wedding dress - I always thought it was so romantic!
As luck would have it, I have some tatting doilies that my Mother made 40 years ago and I have kept because it is very precious: she died when I was a toddler so I never "knew" her, just inherited her scattiness and love of making things with needle and thread. However, I have no idea how to "tat" so you may have some!
ReplyDeleteHi Gina,
ReplyDeleteI have all sorts of pieces of lovely lace and some of it is handmade bobbin lace too. I can look in my stash this weekend :-)
Lyn
I'm sure I have - there may even be some scraps of lace left from the making of my much missed mum-in-law's wedding dress. Will havce a peep and see what I can find.
ReplyDeleteI think I have a few old pieces of lace -- but not really old -- maybe 20 years. They've just been sitting around in the stash since the lacy days of the 70s and 80s. And they certainly don't have any wonderful memories. But, if you run short and need some very boring and unimportant and probably ugly lace, I'd be glad to send you some! ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust going off to look,might be a while
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very interesting beautiful project and I love how our stitches link us together.M x
ReplyDeletehoohoo - that brings back memories. I've got exactly the same (though much more disorganised) patchwork quilt from all the ready cut pieces that Laura Ashley used to see that my mum and I made, all hand stitched! hmm - will crocheted lace collars be any good or will they be too heavy?
ReplyDeleteI had some of those Laura Ashley fabrics - I love the finished quilt and it makes a super story. What a lovely idea to use scraps of antique lace. I only wish I had some to send you, but am sure others will provide you with what you need. Looking forward to seeing the result.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, not sure if I have any lace but I'll check.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks wonderful and I love that it will always have a special story behind it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I have any lace with a story but I'll have a rootle around. My mum used to have loads but I don't know what ever happened to it.
xxx
I should have some of my grandmothers. I'll have a look this weekend and get back to you. A very interesting idea
ReplyDeleteI have a bag of patchwork UFOs in my wardrobe too....glad yours got finished.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great project.I'm sure I have some lace left over from the sleeve of my wedding dress made 30 years ago. I can even tell you where I bought it, Dickens and Jones in Regent Street. I will have a rummage through my boxes and get back to you if you are interested.
Kim
how lovely - i will have a search through my fabrics - i'm sure i had some and hope i still have it - a friend gave it to me ages ago. i just love the idea of making something that binds people and memories together.
ReplyDeletexx
Your work is so inspirational. I have some lace you can have I will bring it with me on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your comments... if you have not received a personal reply from me but would like to send some lace please email me so I can give you my address. Thank you!
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely idea! Just the kind of thing that interests me too. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteAmelia.x
We're away at the mo, but I'll have a rummage when we get back! What a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI think I have my first wedding dress somewhere so if I can find it I'll send you some of the sleeve, my Mum made it 36 years ago! Unfortunately the marriage didn't last as long as the dress ;)
ReplyDeleteHi. l have some lace l can send you from my husband's grandmother.She was born and lived in Paris, although her parents were English. her father was a "cutter" in the Haut Couture Buisness and l have some of that lace..so around 1896-1923. My email address is elemaitch@yahoo.co.uk( l am in London)
ReplyDeleteLyndax