My last trip north was for Memorial Day: I decorated my Mother's grave for the first time & made my last visit to my parents' home. During that last visit, I found a big box full of polyester double knit scraps. I might have been able to toss them in the trash had it not been for the, then, latest issue of Generation Q, the one with the article about Victoria Findlay Wolf & Bill Volkening & their fondness for double knit quilts.
{sigh}
So, OK, I brought the big box home with me.
These are the leftovers from dressmaking. Largely, they are scraps from the garments my Mom made for me & her, but there were also several pieces from both of my Grandmothers. They are such a testament of Thrift: the garment pieces were cut from the cloth, then *every* little leftover bit was neatly bundled together & stowed away. I am unwrapping these bundles for the first time since they were made more than 30 years ago!
I decided to make a 16-patch block with them -- simple patchwork is best with this weird, stiff stuff. I'm really enjoying going through the fabrics, remembering the dresses & pantsuits (yes, pantsuits) that they became & the love that made them. Such a journey down Memory Lane! And not really a melancholy one, just fun remembering.
An acquaintance looked at my blocks & told me they were ugly. Had I valued her opinion, my feelings might have been hurt. I'll admit that they are certainly an acquired taste, but "ugly"?
No, they are not ugly.
10 comments:
Oh, I love the splash of colors. Oranges, teal & blue. Fun. Are you opening the seams or both to one side?
oh, i love love love this. the smell and texture of polyester reminds me so much of childhood in the 70s!
Oh no, they are not ugly!! I love the blues & purples. And the memories tied to those fabrics will make them priceless.
Wow! What a treasure. Your blocks are beautiful. I have fond memories of my grandmother sewing with polyester double-knit. Wish I had her scraps!
any quilt that stirs up fun memories is a beautiful one. enjoy!
Fun and nostalgic..all the way. I am just like you in the memory lane thing...so hard to part with any of it. Good job on the 16 block, that is a perfect choice.
I really wish double knit didn't feel so... icky.... I love how fun and funky it is and desperately want to make one of these. But I would never every let it touch my skin, so kind of a waste. :(
No Way!! Not Ugly!! Even if they weren't those wonderful, full of character double knits, the colours are fabulous. Have fun and enjoy this quilt!!
agreed, they are NOT ugly. I've gotten fonder and fonder of poly quilts - I love that the bright colors stay soooo bright.
The French have a great expression "belle laide" used to describe a woman who is very attractive in an unconventional way. Also applies to poly quilts. Your blocks look great!
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