Well, I haven’t finished the wallhanging yet, but I have decided on the most beautiful buttery yellow polka dot to use to frame the blocks. I’ve applique’d one and am busy working on the other two. I mentioned the other day that there was a story regarding these blocks that were made by my great-great grandmother, Emma Acelia Wakefield Fitzgarrald who lived from 1865 to 1936. Emma was the fifth of seven children and had six brothers! I’m sure much of her sewing as a young girl was household sewing to keep her brothers clothed! I asked my grandmother what she remembered of these blocks, and she proceeded to tell me some of her memories. My grandmother recalls seeing her grandmother sitting at the end of the table in the dining room working on these Dresden plates; the light was always good at the end of the dining table. When I asked her about the fabrics my grandmother told me how she got many of them. Emma and her husband Alfred Clark Fitzgarrald never owned a car. Once a week, Alfred would hitch up the team and take the eggs and cream into town to sell them. After that, he would go to the dry goods store and purchase fabric for Emma. He would buy enough for a new dress or apron and get extra for her quilting! I thought this was the sweetest story! I also learned from my Grandmother that Emma never quilted her quilts herself…she did the piecing and then sent them out to be hand-quilted!
I’ve also been working on my hexagons! I now have five completed flowers with Aviary fabrics…I love these and have finally decided how I’m going to put them together!
But thanks to some wonderful inspiration from this blog…I’ve also started another hexagon project! I’m working on hexagon diamonds with my Cotton Blossoms fabric!
The center hexagons don’t show up well with the background I’ve set these on, but these are gorgeous blocks. Now these…I have no idea what I’m going to do with them…but I love making them! And luckily for me, even thought the Great Hexagon Quilt-Along blog was full…they’ve opened a sister blog which I was able to join; the hexagon inspiration on these blogs is wonderful!
Have a wonderful day!
Cathy says
Your hexagons made from the Avairy fabric are just gorgeous! I love the other ones also. I can’t wait to see how you put them together.
Cathy
Nedra says
I missed part of that story that you told last Saturday to Nanette. Thanks for sharing it again. I love the yellow that you used to surround the block. Perfect choice. These treasures now have your story to add to them for the generations to come.
maria says
Thanks for telling the story. It’s great to hear the history behind old quilts.
Stephanie says
What a sweet story! The buttery yellow is so pretty. Your hexagons are just beautiful. You’re going to have a gorgeous quilt, Sherri!
rachel griffith says
oh my gosh how pretty.
i LOVE the buttery yellow…it really just suits it!!!
Sinta Renee says
What a wonderful story to share! It's so nice to have that kind of history & even nicer that you quilt those incredible hexigons also!
Candace says
A wonderful story, Sherri! What amazes me is how bright the colors still are after all this time!
Cheers!
Darlene says
All of your hexagons are beautiful. And what a delightful and beautiful story about Emma and her hubby! Her hubby was a keeper! 🙂
Julie Isa says
i love it all, especially the story! how sweet!
Seth, Sarah and the kids says
WOW!! That story is wonderful! I love the history of quilts and how lucky for you to have it be so personal!
Also….can I just borrow an ounce of your patience?? Where do you get that for all that handwork?? You are amazing!!
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Hi Sherri,
Love the story with your quilt. Fabric back in those times was such a special gift.
Now for Hexagons, girl you are tempting me. Just what I need another project.
Keep Stitchen’
Bonnie
Jackie says
I just love the story of the dresden plate and it is just so pretty. The hexagons are coming along just great! I am so glad you got in on the sister blog. I am there too, so I will see lots of posts from you, right???
Terriaw says
How nice that you can ask your Grandmother these stories! I don’t think I would like having so many brothers! hehehe Those blocks are so beautiful. I would love to make just one to frame and hang on the wall. I also want to make a hexagon table runner I saw in a Sew Hip issue.
Lizzie says
What a lovely story Sherri, how fabulous to be able to complete something your ancestor started. I bought a 1930s dresden plate quilt about 13 years ago and the colours are almost exactly the same – even the yellow borders. I will post a photo to share.
Lizzie
another amy says
These dresden plate blocks are SO wonderful. But the story that goes a long with them makes them even more endearing. I love the thought of the husband buying fabric. I don’t know if I could trust my husband with picking out my fabric. 🙂
Joy says
I love that story. How lucky you are to be able to share such a lovely part of your family’s history.
I’m working with my “Aviarys” at the moment too … I’m totally in love with this range!!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
Oh what a wonderful story and the yellow is perfect. I love your hex blocks, also love the new ones!!
Quilt Hollow says
Thanks for sharing the story…always wonderful to hear the story behind a quilt. So many old quilts we find discarded and we all know they have a story to tell!
Karen says
The Aviary fabrics are going to make a soft and pretty hexagon design quilt.
Annette says
What a great story and I love those fabrics…even more now that I know their history. What a treasure. I really like the yellow..makes it all so cheerful.
Chocolate Cat says
What a beautiful story.
dotti white says
Sherri–I love your Dresden Plate. I have some partially completed pieces by my grandmother that I will be working on, too. One project is a group of butterflies that she appliqued on blocks. I want to put them together into a quilt. I will post something about them soon. Beautiful hexagons, too! They are as calming as a bouquet of spring flowers! Happy sewing!
Lori Holt says
Sherri-
What a treasure you have in those blocks but the greater treasure is the story, it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing. I love the buttery yellow, it would have been my choice too.
QuiltedSimple says
What a treasure you have in both the story and the blocks. I too have quilts that my great-great-grandmother made and they are more than priceless! And your hexagons look wonderful!
Kris
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
The hexagons are coming along great. Good technique! The dresden plates are priceless. I love the yellow you put around them. It really frames them perfectly. What a sweet story. I feel privileged to have seen them and touched them. The fabic is amazing.
julia says
Oh Sherri, what precious memories & such a sweet story. Thank you so much for sharing!