Grandma’s Quilt
My fascination with quilts began when my mother gave me the old patchwork quilt her mother had made over 90 years ago. As a child, I loved touching the oddly shaped velveteen patches, scattered among colorful cotton and pieces of woolen material. When my daughter got married I passed the quilt on to her. Although none of us had the privilege of meeting my grandmother, since she died when my mother was a girl, her legacy lives on through that beautiful patchwork quilt.
A lot of effort goes into making quilts, and the quilts I now have in my home give me a sense of joy and peace. I’ve mentioned them in several of my Amish-themed novels because I know how important quilts are to my Amish friends.
Do you own something special that was passed on to you from a family member? How has having that item affected your life?
We have a lovely old rocking chair and marble top round table that came from my husband’s Aunt and Uncle. We use both today . The rocking chair sits proudly in my living room and the table sits in front of the big widow. I have a lovely lamp with a colored glass shade that sits atop this table. Beautiful. We enjoy them very much.
Blessings
Shirley Chapel
My grandparents lived on a farm west of Reading, Pa. Though they weren’t Amish, a lot of
their customs were the same. I can remember (and my father took an 8mm film of it) sitting beside the quilting frame in my grandmother’s living room while all of us, brothers included, took turns at quilting one of the many quilts that now grace our beds. My favorite was called “Sunbonnet Girls”. I have many, many special memories of visiting my grandparents, but the quilts always take me back to a more simpler time.
I inherited my great Grandmothers old Secretary, when I had it refinished the man who owned the refinishing shop told me that it was a Lincoln Secretary & pigeon hole desk. It has the rolling glass windows and the shelves in the top are held in with wooden long pegs. My Grandparents were married in 1922 and it was given to them by my Grandfathers parents. It is well over 150 years old. As a child my Grandmother would let us go through the old pictures and papers stored away in it. I loved that old Secretary so much that after my Grandparents deaths it was given to me. It was in sad shape at the time from years of neglect. It is now beautiful piece of furniture standing talk and proud in my living room. With books from two of my favorite Authors Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis gracing its shelves for all to see.
I have my grandmother’s wedding ring that I wear on my little finger. (I wear another ring with it to make sure it doesn’t fall off my finger. I’m named after her She was a very special lady. Her & my grandpa had 36 foster children that they cared for.
We too have a quilt made by my grandmother and her friends. I was piviliged to be given this and I treasure it every day. I put it on an old quilting stand in my living room so ever body can enjoy it.
hello Wanda, when I think of quilts I think of one that my grandmother made me when I was very small. It was made of small squares of scrap fabric that she had. She died when I was 4 and that really was all I had from her. I can still picture some of the pieces of fabric that I used to make up stories about.
My dad was a great wood worker. He could take a piece of old wood and make it into a masterpiece. He made ma and my nieces jewelry holders out of wood and beautiful drawer pulls. These are wonderful keepsakes since he passed away last March.
Wanda handmade quilts are beautiful. I have many friends that make them. They seem to tell a story sometimes. I would love to learn how to make them maybe someday. Life goes just to fast around here in today’s world. I love reading all your Amish stories and how Caring they all are. Thank you!
Wanda I would love to read these books I get so involved its like I’m right there watching things happen in person
I have several things of my grandmother’s that I cherish. I have a flower vase that was actually her grandmother’s first, I have a China tea set someone gave her as a wedding gift. My grandmother was Italian, I have her pizza pans and the big pot she used to make spaghetti sauce. I also have a glass cabinet that has rounded glass on the sides. My most precious Nanny hand-me-down is my nun doll from her doll collection. The nun is holding a very tiny Bible which actually has the words in it, so tiny you can barely read it. I have some of her other dolls but the nun is my favorite. My grandfather was in the navy and he brought back dolls for my grandmother from different countries when he was in the war.
Registering for gift on May 8 (I think that is date)
First Wanda, I want to tell you I love your books. But I think you have heard this all before. No great revelation there, I am sure. And second, I love some of your recipes and even make them.
When I was a little girl my grandmother on my mother’s side passed away. Well my mom got a lot of the dishes and things that belonged to her. I got a pretty yellow towel set consisting of a bath-towel and a wash cloth. I used them for awhile but didn’t want to wear them out so I packed them away. I wanted something that belonged to my grandmother. Then when I got married, my mom gave me a lead crystal candy dish for a wedding gift. The dish has shapes of wedding bells all around the outside edge of that dish. It is truly beautiful. I cherish that dish and some day I want to pass it on to my daughter and Lord willing give it to her daughter.
My grandma never did quilts she liked cooking an baking…my mother-inlaw is the one who makes everyone sons daughters grand kids great grand kids son inlaws daughter inlaws quilts she has one for me an my hubby just isnt done yet she mainly does them in the winter. She made my hubby one before we got together.
I now have the Family Bible from my dad’s side of our family. It is old and falling apart at the seams, but wonderfully ornate and a source of births, deaths and marriages through the years. It has renewed my intention to pursue genealogy to find out more about my ancestors and make them ‘real people’ to me.
I have a small piece of blanket left msde by my grandma i keep the little piece in plastic. Wish it was all of it but a little is better than nothing.
What does awaiting moderation mean
I have my mother’s wedding dress and my grandmother’s wedding dress. Both of these dresses were handmade by my grandmother. When my youngest daughter got married last November and wanted a vintage themed wedding, her grandmother’s dresses made an appearance, center stage! My mom and grandma both died from cancer and so although they were there with us on spirit that wedding day, having their vintage dresses displayed along with a sweet saying, touched the hearts of many who knew and loved those wonderful women, and even some who didn’t know them. My daughter also wore pearls from my great grandmother that day. Five generations of strong and faithful women were represented that day. Our hearts were turned to those who had gone before and the priceless legacies they’ve left for us, their children and grandchildren.
I have a quilt that was my great aunt’s. It is losing it’s colors. I do not use it because I want to just display it. I do not want it to fade anymore or fall apart. It is approximately 80 years old. I also have my grandmother’s dishes that are about 75 years old. They are beautiful. I do not used them at all.
My Grandma has the most beautiful violin that her father gave to her. She never learned to play, but he did. I never got to meet him, but I’m told he played beautifully. Because it’s very old and fragile , she keeps it in a case. But every now and then she and I get it out and we admire its beauty. My Grandma plans on giving it one of her children one day and I’m sure it will be passed from generation to generation.
I have my grandmother’s engagement ring and had the diamond made into a pendant that I wear every day. It reminds me of her and my mother. When my 6 year old granddaughter turns 16, the necklace will pass to her as it did to me.
I have a special quilt that was stistched by my cousin’s grandmothre. I spent almost every summer out at my grandparents and my cousin and her Mom and Dad lived in the upstairs of this home. We were more like sisters than cousins. Lynda’s grandmother made a quilt for my bridal shower. I still have the quilt, however it has been well used. There are so many blessings
stitched in that quilt.
My mom collected salt & pepper shakers. I use to look at them all the as they were protected behind the glass of the curio cabinet. Everywhere my mom went she was always looking for a new set to add to her collection. When we passed away in 1998, my dad asked what did I want of my moms. There was much to choose from , but I knew I wanted my moms most precious salt & pepper shaker collection. My dad gave them to me with a few afghans she had made . The curio cabinet sounds proudly in my living room with all her collection of salt and pepper shakers. I think of her everyday while looking at them. She treasured them and they gave her happiness. As I snuggle with one of her afghans I always think of how happy she was bringing home her treasures she found out garage sales , stores or as gifts. I now have continued her legacy and collect them myself. I place them next to my moms collection and it makes me smile as I think of her excitement when she brought a new set home.
My grandmother’s cookbook. It still touches my heart to be able to use some of the recipes that she used to use.
I have my cousins engagement that my mother gave to me. My cousin was also my Dad’s cousin! The ring is a diamond setting in a filigree ring setting. Very beautiful and very old!! My cousin was 93 when she passed away in 1998!! Judy F
Have a quilt my grandmother had sewn. Truly is a treasure!
I started making quilts when my three girls were much younger. They got so attached to their quilts that at night all three of them would bring their quilts down to watch tv or a movie. When I was younger my mom would make us quilts so I grew up knowing how impotrant it was tto have one of your own. I knew that it was a feeling i wanted to give my own children .
when I was growing up we had very little material things. My parents instilled in me the importance of good values in life. They taught us that discipline is so important in a child’s life. We followed the ‘golden rule’ when dealing with people. ‘A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
Both my Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers made quilts. I have one or more from all of them. They also made crocheted bedspreads, which are beautiful. It’s so nice to have a piece of history to carry on from our loved ones.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
I have my grandmothers dining room table. For as long as I’ve been living and long before then, my family gathered every Sunday for a huge family dinner around my grandmothers table.
I wasn’t really left anything, but I have many cherished memories of Ohio’s Amish country. I loved going there. I miss it so much. I am thinking about moving back just for that. I am also learning to quilt because I think they are absolutely gorgeous.
I have a candy dish with lid that was given to me by an aunt (my dad’s sister) that she said belonged to my mother. It is the only posession that I have of my mother. She died when I was 9 years old.
I love all your books …finish them to quickly though!!!! =)
I love your books!
It is my grandmothers wood glass cabinet that she kept her salt and shakers which it was totally full.
I have inherited some very special China from my Grandmother. It is displayed openly for everyone to enjoy and I often use the dinner set for family get together s I feel family is the most precious gift and should use special things for special people.
I would say my greatest gift that was passed to be that I will pass on to my daughter is my mothers wedding ring. My mother died in July of 2011 at the age of 68. She was never ever sick so when she died after 2 weeks in the hospital it was an unbearable shock. So I have her beautiful wedding ring that I can wear so not only is she in my heart her ring is a bonus reminder of her love. Btw Wanda just finished The Decision and loved every word of it. Thanks for being a blessing to my life with the books you write.
A pair of my grandmother’s earrings that she received on her sixteenth birthday. They were a Christmas gift from my mom the Christmas before she passed away.
I have a man’s shaving dresser that belonged to my great grandmother and survived the Johnstown Flood. I refinished it a few years ago under the watchful eye of my father, who passed away last year. In the drawers of this beautiful piece of oak furniture are stored my prized possessions that belong to my grandmother. Dish cloths that she knitted more than 15 years ago, jewelry, felt pieces that she made about 90 years ago at Royal Imprints and many more treasures. When ever I wish I could talk to her all I have to do is look around and she is with me in almost every room of my trailer. This brings me back to where I should be, where she would want me to be. She brings me peace, I love her so. She was like a mother to me.
We have received coins every Christmas for myself ,spouse and four children from their great grandparents . They are very meaningful to us
I have a quilt that I inherited from my Nannie and Poppa. It is very beautiful and means the world to me.
I have 2 family cookbooks that my mother’s side of the family has put together through the years. Some of the family has passed on but some of their favorite recipes still live on.
My mother’s parents were very poor. They had 12 children. My grandfather worked in a mop factory. My grandmother loved to crochet and made many things without a pattern. I have a crocheted bedspread my grandmother made for my grandfather out of mop thread he brought home. It’s very heavy so I don’t use it a lot but I’ll always treasure it because of the history behind it. I got my love of crocheting from her and now I’ve passed it on to my own daughter.
I have many things passed down to me that I cherish. My great grandmother (still alive at 93) collects dolls and she has given me a few of them. I also have a beautiful desk from my grandmother. It’s beautiful and functional. One day I will pass these things to my daughters
I have a quilt made by my great grandmother that was given to me by my grandmother in 1962. I was named after the great grandmother that made the quilt, so it is very special to me. It has inspired my love of quilts. I also love the Amish stories. They are so down to earth and not trashy like so many other novels these days. They help me to retain my faith in humanity despite all the turmoil going on in this world.
My mother is blind and she crochets and knits. The beautiful items that she has made has inspired me to learn to do both. Well I got the crocheting down but the knitting is giving me some trouble. I still have a jumper that my mother made for me over forty years ago for my first day in kindergarten, this is my keepsake.
I have several things that were passed down to me from family members. I have some of my Grandma’s books, she loved reading. So I have a lot of her books. I especially like the ones that my Grandpa had wrote in the inside of them, that he gifted to her. Those are my favorite.
I have received a quilt and recipes from my great-grandmother. I also received a crocheted blanket from my aunt Mary. I love quilting and crafting because my grandmother’s side of the family was my influences to my crafting.
I have some lovely quilts made by my sister. She has been quilting for years now after my grandmother passed away. Grandma had a cedar chest full of partial quilts. My sister first took those and any remaining material of the same likeness and put those together. My grandma never threw out any material so my sister had some fabric from clothes she had made us to add for borders and such. It is a favorite past time of ours, on a cold winters night, in front of the fireplace, to snuggle up together and name the pieces we recognize as items Grandma made for us.
After my middle son passed away last October, I was so blessed by his sweet, generous wife to be given his study Bible. How my heart rejoices when I open it and see the innumerable handwritten notes in the margins and anywhere there were blank spaces to write in! I will treasure this precious gift until I am reunited with him when God calls me home!
I too have a quilt that has survived many years. My daughter makes the sixth generation.
I have a mirror that was passed to me from my grandmother when she passed. It is very special to me. She used to have it hanging in her living room. And now that i own my home i have it in my living room. When i look into that mirror i know she is watching over me n my family.
I did own a jade necklace that belonged to my husband’s grandmother. His mother and father gave it to me the year my husband and I got married (1998). That necklace was his parent’s way of saying “you are our daughter now, welcome to the family.” 6 years ago we had a fire and lost everything, including that cherished necklace. We all made it out safe though, which was the most important thing. 🙂
I have pieces of my Grandma’s baking bowls, and other plates and a crystal candy dish that always sat on her coffee table, also small flowers vaces it I just passing by them all the time and knowing that they were hers and how much she loved me.
I have two favorite memories of my favorite grandmother. One is the granny square Afghan that she crocheted and the other my sister gave me for my birthday last year and it was my grandmother’s crochet hooks. My grandmother had crocheted two Afghanis in the granny square pattern, one was pink and one was blue. I have the blue one and my daughter Amy has the pink one
When I left for college g=Grandma gave me a quilt that she made. That was over 50 years ago and I still have it. I usually display it for a month during the year. Grandma’s comment was every stitch was a stitch of love. She often had a quilting frame set-up. I found her work interesting. Over time it was her interest and lessons that led to my love of quilt making. Miss you grandma.
My Uncle and Aunt and my husband and I traveled to Kauai and while there I read your book. “The Hawaiian Quilt” then my Aunt read it too. Which led to both of us reading every book of yours we could get our hands on. She surprised me with a beautiful quilt she had made with Hawaiian material, it is beautiful! When I opened it I cried happy tears. Our bond with each other and bond with our reading your books is truly a blessing. Thanks for writing about Kauai which led me to reading the rest of your books too!