Mending

You may remember this vintage yoyo quilt I picked up at a garage sale last year... (I blogged about it here)

As I mentioned then, there were lots of places where threads were loose, and many yoyo's were no longer connected. Recently I opened it up and took a good look at it, and it was in worse shape than I thought. I determined that the yoyos were probably feedsack fabrics, and the quilt might have been made back in the 1930's. But the blue backing fabric was clearly a later addition, I'm guessing in the 80's because it was shiny chintz in that purple-blue that was so popular. Because of that, and also because I had to mend the yoyos from the back, I pulled out my trusty seam ripper and removed it.

And then I spent many evenings with it puddled around my chair as I patiently stitched each dangling yoyo back to its neighbors. And something happened while I was caring for that old quilt... I began to connect with its creator. I could imagine her (I like to think it was a woman) planning, cutting, stitching, smiling with each connection made. And I couldn't help but look closely at the vintage fabric in each yoyo, loving each charming pattern and design. When it was done, I decided to document those fabrics, so I systematically photographed each block from the back, like so...

And so...

I won't share each one here, but if you're at all interested, the pics can be seen on flickr, in this set.

And they make a nice mosaic...

Something else interesting, and even a bit profound, is that while I was mending this quilt, I somehow was also mending myself. Its been a rough couple of years and I hadn't realized how much it had affected me. I was feeling like I had a few loose threads, and my spirit was in need of some reconnecting. Whatever the reason, by the time it was done, my outlook was much brighter.

I still haven't determined where the quilt will go in my house. Wherever it is, I'll always smile when I see it.

Cheers,

Jenny

Comments

[Deborah]

Hi Jenny,
I love to read your blog. I get the feeling that you are a good person, very caring. And I enjoy the way you put words together...telling your own little story each time.
Big hug from Oklahoma.

[Barbara]

Are you going to replace the backing with something else? Just curious. I love your way with words, the stories you tell. I've been looking for an advent calendar for a long time, and found yours at the beginning of January, so that's my plan for next year. Although, I'll probably have to start it in July! :)

[Sister Diane]

I love this post so much! Love the image of you caring for this quilt and connecting through time with the person who made it. And I couldn't agree more that a simple, repeating project like this is one of the best healing tools there is.

[Gaile]

Hi there! Your yo-yo's are bringing back such memories for me. My Mom was a great hoarder of fabric, and I was born in the 50's (ACK) - I had little summer dresses made of some of these fabrics! I recognized more than one of the prints when I looked at all of them on flickr. I can remember my Mother bringing out the fabric boxes and digging around for a big enough piece for a dress, or fabrics that co-ordinated enough to be put together. I love the way you are honouring this vintage piece and your thoughts about the healing qualities as you restore it.

[Maria in Iowa]

Gaile's comments were right along the lines that I was thinking. Each of those bits could have been a leftover from a child's dress, or an apron, or even a Sunday best summer dress for Mama. And now you have them. I bet the lady who made it in the first place would be happy to see it so appreciated.

The colors have really lasted. Amazing!

[Kit Knitty]

I love that beautiful quilt and I love your blog and am so glad you were both able to help restore each other.

[beth]

Thank you for sharing about how the mending of the quilt has been helpful to you; it was helpful to me to read your words.

[AJ]

All I can say is WOW! You certainly have a lot of patience but it sounds like it has been great therapy!

[Sarah]

What an amazing amount of different scrap fabrics she had!

I have a serious love for feedsacks, this is such a gorgeous piece of art. And I am sure she would be pleased to know it helped mend you a little too.

[kara Ward]

I have always wanted to try and make these...so beautiful! Kara

[Clever Karen]

So wonderful! I love that kind of vintage fabric. Thanks for showing us!

[Sarah]

What an incredible quilt! I'm sure the original quilter would have loved knowing the care and thoughtfulness that you put into repairing her work. Whether you're making it or wrapped up in its comfort, I really think that's what a quilt is supposed to do for you--bring you back to feeling connected and centered. :)

[Meredith]

It's incredible, so darling!

[Sugarshop (Dena Berg)]

What a wonderful thought, I think this is a great metaphor for all women. Sometimes parts of us need a little mending and reconnecting. Thanks for sharing!

[lily boot]

Thank you so much for sharing this story! The quilt and photos are beautiful and the image of you carefully and patiently re-connecting all those little yo-yos is very peaceful. I'm sure the original stitcher would have been delighted to see her work handled with such care -and understood your need for "mending".

[Maureen]

I feel like we all have 'met' that quilter now, and I think she has already returned the love to you. Hope your threads are happily connecting.

[Dawn]

Wow, it's amazing you took the time to share a little TLC. I'm sure the quilt appreciated it!

[Concha]

The fabrics are absolutely amazing! I'm truly in awe.

[HildeC]

This was a really touching story. I'm sure the creator of this quilt would appreciate what you have done :-)

[Maggie Sumner]

I love mending things also--though this sure seems like a BIG project. I think it's refreshing to honor things that are made with care, creativity and love--especially in today's disposable society. What a great story of re-invigoration, both for the quilt and for you!

[Maggie Sumner]

I love mending things also--though this sure seems like a BIG project. I think it's refreshing to honor things that are made with care, creativity and love--especially in today's disposable society. What a great story of re-invigoration, both for the quilt and for you!

[Hannah]

This is so beautiful. I can understand why mending this meant so much to you. This is a lovely post, thanks for sharing.

[Kirsty]

Oh Jenny - what a wonderful post. There is something very magical about sharing handwork with women of times gone.

[joybucket]

Brilliant and stunning. What a great post.

[Ashley H.]

What a gorgeous quilt and a gorgeous post. I completely relate to your connecting to the original artist. I recently bought a big box of vintage fabric off of Craigslist, and among some great yardage were dozens and dozens of these very small scraps of feedsack fabrics. Going through those scraps, I felt the same sense of connection.

I just kept thinking that I wished the woman who'd so carefully kept these small pieces in case they'd ever be needed or useful could know that they'd fallen in the hands of another scrap horder who would keep them and take care of them.

Kind of sentimental, I know. But I relate to the feeling you expressed so beautifully here.