Isn't this a great piece of fabric?
I love the colours, and the diagonal stripe.
Except it's not fabric, it's embroidery --
hand embroidery with a story.
My friend Y, who is a great scrap quilter, using reclaimed fabrics
from clothing and thrift shops,
rescued these from the nursing home where she used to work as a social worker.
One of the residents, named Helen, had passed away,
and the person who was clearing out her stuff
was going to turf it all, so Y. rescued it.
Helen was a quirky sort but she loved to embroider.
She embroidered all her clothes. These are just a few that Y. would part with.
(stupidly, I forgot my camera, but another time.)
She kept the ones with all over circles, ovals, and dots, in wonderful colours.
I love the tan sleeve with all those lovely flowers.
Obviously she ran out of time with that one.
I'm passing these on to Joyce to use up the lovely bits in a bag, except for the diagonal one
which I'm keeping for a bag or a pillow top.
So the spirit of Helen and her love of all things embellished and bright
lives on in another way.
Y. also shared this patchwork top, made from vintage fabrics.
It measures about 30 by 40, and Y. had no real plan for it.
I love that pink and black piece in the middle.
And those pink and blue cats above.
Y and I are doing a round-robin with this.
I'm having a first go by putting on borders
and then it is back to Y. for her to work her magic.
And the giveaway winner, chosen by Mr. Random Number New University Student
(aka DS 1) is Kathleen C, who has no blog of her own,
but contributes to several group blogs.
congrats!
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10 comments:
Thanks for sharing these old relics. They are so inspiring!!
Thanks for sharing your find. Love the embroidery, but it is the quilt that I love. It's a simple pattern and the fabrics are so light and sweet. Hugs
Nice to see Helens work appreciated and you can think of her when you use the pieces.
What a treasure, Breanda! I recently walked by a store dedicated to making small furniture and pillows from recycled embroideries. So many lovely things to make, so little time..
beautiful embroidery. those stripes are amazing. so glad this precious handwork was saved.
Glad these pieces were rescued by people who see the value they hold!
That vintage top is wonderful!
Brenda: Your posting and these photos has really grabbed my heart. Yes, Helen was quirky, no doubt, and that was part of her artistic nature, perhaps. I love all that you have shared and am sure Helen must be smiling down to think that her work lives on. Also...thank you for leaving the photos in large enough format so that when clicked on, you can really see the work. What an inspiration Helen is. Her family's lack of interest is definitely our gift.
I am absolutely in awe of that piece of embroidery. Wow. What an incredible treasure.
WOW!!! What treasures. Love that diagonal embroidery. And the scrappy top is to die for.
I am so happy that Helen's beautiful work was rescued! My heart is sad just *thinking* that it might have been tossed out. Ack! Helen appreciates you and Y.
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