Ora told me that the quilt top below, a scrappy Jacob's Ladder, was made from fabric that was carried in the store and was promotional fabric that was advertised as "9 to 59 cents a yard sale fabric". It was lightweight and not very high quality. However, just as it is today, once you get the customer in the door and they see something of a higher quality, you hope they will purchase the more expensive item.
And that's what the fabric is in the yellow sunflowers quilt. She never said (and I never thought to ask) what the fabrics used in the sunflowers blocks cost but just that it was the "good quality fabric". Additionally, they sold muslin blocks with pre-stamped images for applique and that is what was used to make these sunflower blocks. In addition, to the quilt tops, Ora gave me a number of left-over blocks and pre-cut "petals". I used one of the left-over blocks and made it into the heart pillow that is setting next to Brown Bear (that's his name and it's a story you'll learn next week). I asked her sister, Norma, if it was possible that the "petal" shapes were sold pre-cut. Ora had said she remembered cutting them but I had always wondered (instead of wondering, I should have been asking questions!!!). Norma said she couldn't recall that they were sold in pre-cut shapes and that, yes, Ora and Grandma Andersen probably cut them all. So that's the story of the "9 to 59 cents a yard quilt fabric".
Next week, I will lay the scrappy Jacob's Ladder out and sandwich it with some batting and backing, then begin to hand-quilt it. My grandson, Jacob, will be here and this time, I will let him put the first stitches in the center of this quilt top. It's only right that one day the quilts will be his.
So, yesterday I had a great day with my crazy quilting friends and I have photos to share of our fun time together. But first, I need to get my ironing done, get my bag packed and be ready to go to the retreat on Friday. Then tomorrow evening I will give you a glimpse of the fun we have at "Tuesday Crazies"!
P.S. Don't forget to leave me a comment so you can have a chance to win the Mystery Basket that I will be drawing for on August 25th. Five more items have been added to the feedsack squares that you see in the photo with Brown Bear. I thought about taking a picture of the basket as I added items but I am going to keep you in suspense. Instead, I will take a photo of all that will be in the basket on the last day, August 24th. I think I will want to do this again, so tell your friends and fellow bloggers to check it out. Add your comment on the July 30th post to get your name entered in the drawing!
4 comments:
What a great story! Thanks for sharing it and pictures of the tops, too.
When I first started sewing, in the early 60s, I bought fabric at Woolworth's for $1.19 - $1.59 a yard for clothes. It was 36" wide, too, not today's width. That was long after your MIL, and your aunts, but it might give you an idea. Inflation between 1940 and 1960 probably wasn't as bad as it is today. When I started quilting in the 1970s, fabric was 40-42" wide and it seems to me that I paid $3-4 a yard for most of the bicentennial fabrics I bought. Of course, I made a lot less, too! =)
You MIL's quilts are lovely.
Sandi I loved reading your story. Thats the thing about quilts - they each have some story. When another blogger Eileen showed some orphan blocks from that same era on her blog this week, I thought - I wonder what story is behind those blocks. Its so fun to know the history. Especially when it is tied to family like your story. Its good to share that with your grandson. Thats the "legacy" you share.
Sandi, I, also loved reading your story about the quilt tops your mother-in-law made. I think it is great that you are going to hand quilt them into quilts! They will be a legacy to pass down for generations to come!
I am not sure if I have entered into your give away. If not please enter me.
Blessings,
Diane
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