Monday, August 31, 2020

Textile Memories





So here is a post just for fun.  Most of you don't need a creative jumpstart but it's a good technique for that as well.

 Years ago I subscribed to an early website called Quilt History List.  I think it stopped being active about 6 or 7 years ago.  It was a fun site and I learned a lot about quilt history there.  But the most memorable question asked there was one I would like to ask you:
What was your first textile memory?

 Whenever I've asked that question of folks, they usually have something pop into their head immediately.  They don't even have to be sewers or creative.  I've always thought this would make a great quilt guild challenge.  Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer.  I'm just wondering if you would like to share what just popped into your head and I'll share comments on Thursday of this week.
1950s fabric ad.

Beth remembers the Ducky Blanket.  It was a baby blanket and she thinks it was reversible.  Whenever she or her siblings were ill as kids, they had to be wrapped in the Ducky Blanket.  This isn't her blanket but it's the best image I could muster:


Linda remembered a dress she made in junior high.  It was navy blue and had "really LARGE rick rack" on the bell sleeves and along the hem.  She might have used one of these patterns:


My Mom remembers that when she was very young her mother sent fabric out to be accordian pleated.  When the fabric came back, her mother made her a skirt of the fabric.


 Patti isn't a sewer but she remembers her grandmother's patchwork quilt filled with different fun fabrics (probably novelties) that she loved to study. 

When I was about 3 or 4, my mother learned to sew and she made "Mommy and Me Dresses" which were a big rage during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.  Our dresses were made of a green gingham.  Here are some patterns featuring that style:


 What is your first textile memory?  Email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com.  I'll share your replies on Thursday!

 A bonus today is found on Barbara Brackman's website, Cloud of Quilt Patterns.  The block is "Allentown" and you can check it out here!  I would love to make a paper pieced pattern for this and whip up a small version!
Have a safe and happy day!
Posted by at
Labels:

2 comments:

  1. piecefulwendyAugust 31, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    Probably my first textile memory would be the nightgowns my grandmother used to make for her granddaughters each year. We would all get one at Christmas, along with a matching nightgown for our dolls. My grandmother was a seamstress, making garments for people in our local community. My mother made most of my clothing growing up, so I grew up with textiles. Even when I was little, I loved going to the fabric stores!

    ReplyDelete
  2. goldenstitchesSeptember 1, 2020 at 12:02 PM

    My first distinct textile memory Is of a purple and white seersucker dress I had when I was probably 4 or 5. My memory Is that it has elephants at the waistband, maybe braid or ribbon? It was one of those fitted bodice, gathered skirt dresses like you have pictured. This would have been about 1960 . I think I might have learned then what seersucker was, or at least felt like, because my mom always referred to it as my seersucker dress.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)