November 12, 2008

Made with and finishing with LOVE

Isn't she beautiful? OK- I know it is a quilt, but since she is so pretty she becomes female..lol. This is a feed sack quilt from the late 1920's or possibly early 1930's. The person I bought it from couldn't pin down a year, but that is OK. She was far too marvelous to leave behind no matter what year she was started.



For those of you who are like "what the heck is a feed sack quilt"? Well, during the great depression, flour and grains were packaged in cotton feed sacks. The women used their ingenuity and started using the cotton material for quilts and clothes when money didn't allow for anything but the bare necessities.

Click here if you want to learn more. It is quite amazing to learn about.




I am fascinated and drawn to anything with a "story" behind it and this quilt was such a beautiful example. Well, it isn't a quilt yet. Right now it is a topper. It hasn't been finished and that is where I come in. I am going to to finish the work of some woman almost 80 years later. How cool is that? I love the colors and the little pieces, all hand sewn with such love and detail. I find it ironic that I am going to finish this quilt in a time just like it was started. The economy is down and out, the country is in a fearful time. I wonder who this quilt was being made for. Was it a present, a needed blanket? Why was it not finished?

I hope that we do not have days like the maker of this quilt had, or like my grandmother had. I remember hearing about the depression soup that my Grandma ate as a child. I think it was just rice and tomatoes. Such scary times to live in. Then and now.



I am going to stay positive through these dark days and pour love and time into something that was set down so many years ago, never to be finished. I hope I can do it justice. I think it will hang in my girls room and it will be a constant reminder of many things, and many lessons. Isn't it funny how a piece of fabric can do that. Isn't it funny how fabric has woven 2 strangers, so many generations apart, together?

20 comments:

The Crash Test Dummy said...

Oooh such a cool post. A beautiful quilt and a beautiful story and you know me, I love the life lessons and analogies.

You are so awesome. And I miss you.

And I'm so glad I beat Alyson to the comment box.

HI ALYSON!!! LY!

The Crash Test Dummy said...

verifier says punriza. Your verifier knows me so well. I'm a total pun riza

Emily Anne Leyland said...

HAHAHA Crash- you Pun Riza.

I MISS YOU TOO!! Thanks for your sweet comments.

Yeah~ you beat Alyson :)
Hi Aly!!

Kelley said...

I love the story behind everything especially when it involves history. I am excited the progress with your new project. I think she's beautiful too!

Eric-n-Ali said...

My first exposure to feed sack anything was in the Kit Kittredge movie. It was interesting to see the process of getting used to living on less, and the social disdain associated with those times. I know it will be the same if it gets that bad again. You would hope we would grow up, but that seems nearly impossible because we don't talk enough about history.

I love to hear stories behind objects as well. Normal people stories. I love old black and white photos of times gone by.

I almost jumped on my soap box. I'll pack it back up and just say I like that you are taking such an interest of history behind your NEW quilt.

'sesiblen', I'm going to move the 'n' to spell 'sensible'. :)

Love Eric

Alyson | New England Living said...

Hi, CTD and Emily! I fell asleep on the job, literally. I was on on a nap and missed when this first posted.

That is such a cool story and that is cool that you're finishing it! I wish I had some of your skills! The older I get, the more I wish that I knew how to sew. It is such a wonderful skill and you, my friend, are talented!

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Thanks y'all for the support! It should be quite an adventure trying to finish it.
I need to rent Kit Kittdrege for my kids. I heard it was fantastic.

And Alyson, I am self taught in the sewing department. I am no expert but I sure love it. I just like to create things and I'll find any way to get it done. You should learn. It is really nice to see something you make yourself.

Thanks for always being so kind everyone ;)

Ginger said...

That is a beautiful quilt. I love atiques that have a story to tell.
Good pick Em.

Chris said...

That is really awesome. Thank you for posting these photos. I seriously WAS asking, 'what's a feed sack?' haha
I look forward to seeing your work!

Heather said...

WOW-- this is so beautiful! And I love that you are going to finish what someone so lovingly started. I love quilts, they are so durable and beautiful at once. Lovely!~

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

that is absolutely gorgeous!!! Good luck finishing it...I'm horrible with things like that! :)

OldBoatGuy said...

Emily, I want you to know that I read your blog, but sometimes I don't know what to say. Your project here is wonderful. I was born near the end of the depression, 1936, but my only recollection of hardship, as a child, was lard and sugar sandwiches. And to me that was not a hardship because I loved them!

quebo......there's your que boy.

Natalia said...

Oh, how wonderful...and inspiring! I like the idea of us all pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps and using what we have to get by...and it results in a work of art to be handed down generation to generation, even better! :)

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

I looove the duilt. Anything with a story tickles me to no end!! Love it!

ps: I am bopping all around the place with your 80's flash back!!

xo, V

(Your photos are really lovely Miss E)

Leah said...

Oh what a beautiful quilt. I love feedsack fabrics.. too bad companies today aren't clever and thrifty with their packaging.

Kristina P. said...

Emily, thanks for your comment. What can I say. Christian makes people comment.

And I loved your contest with Dummy, as I like to call her. I didn't enter because novel writing isn't really my thing. Give me something, and I can turn it into a smart alec statement, but that's about it.

I'm adding you to my Reader, and I will be back. Oh, and gorgeous quilt!

Unknown said...

I had many dresses made of feed sack material made by my mother. The quilt pattern is also very familiar to me I'm sure we had several like that in our home. Takes me back. I'm glad you get to finish it. Love ya Sheila

Rachel Lee George said...

More beautiful than the quilt is the thought that you will somehow be binding yourself to someone from so long ago. Hopefully, some day in the future you will know much more about this woman and all the hardships she went through to push along what has become of today.

*MARY* said...

That really is a beautiful work of art. I can't believe how vibrant the colors are after all these years.

Elizabeth said...

Fabulous quilt!
I tagged you! Come over and read all about it!
Elizabeth (BluebirdsandBubbles)