For many years I decorated for Christmas using my Grandmothers basket quilt she made in 1890 (that story is here). When I started quilting, I longed to make my own holiday quilt. Now one of the first steps in decorating our house for Christmas is to swap out the fall quilts for red and green ones.
I love to sew with red and green fabrics during this time of the year so I often start a new project for my sewing serenity during the season. In the days of Christmas 2008, I began work on what became Pomegranates and Poinsettias. I was spending quite a bit of time with my mother-in-law, Sadie, during a time of failing health for her.
She loved helping me decide which red fabric should be used for a particular bloom, which green should be used for stems and leaves. She loved the sampler background (as does everyone else who sees this quilt), and when I decided to add buttons for the berries, she giggled like a little girl. Imagine, putting BUTTONS on a quilt.
That was something her mother had never done! This piece was finished in June 2009 and has been the focal point on a wall in our house every Christmas since. It is based the Holly Threads pattern by Need’l Love. Mine finishes at 44″ square.
So Merry! Such a nice salute to your heritage and acknowledgment of the present. I admire your talent so. You simply live it! You are an amazing lady, thankful our paths have crossed in this life.
Sweet words, Gail. I’m glad our paths crossed, too.
That quilt is gorgeous. I can’t wait to show my mom, who has commandeered your equally gorgeous book. Thank you for sharing them!
Thanks, Nadia. I’m glad you and your mom are enjoying the book. Tell her hello for me.