Quilting Post - for a change

Back in May 2 of my uncles, Mitchell {Butch} Bennett and Leo Waterman, passed away within about a week of each other.  In a note to my Aunts I let them know that I would be happy to help them make a quilt of their husband's shirts if they wanted. 

I realize now I should have sent a note as well to oldest of each of their children, as they were too overwhelmed at the time.

In November one of my cousin, Carollee Bennett, contacted me to say she would like to give her mom a quilt out of her dad's shirts.  She had seen my note and had contacted her Dad's sister who had taken some of his shirts.  She had 5 or 6 shirts to work with..  I wasn't sure how big a quilt I could make with just 6 shirts but I gave it a go. 

At a retreat I stated making 9 patch blocks, that seemed a good start.  But when I started laying them out the same colors ended up next to each other too much for my liking.  I had cut around the pockets and saved them.  A little more thought and I decided to do a barn raising with a neutral back ground I had used in the 9 patches.  I put the pockets in the center, but up closer to the top, maybe just under the pillow tuck.  Then I put the 9 patch blocks in rows of the same colors. I did use a non-woven iron on interfacing on the one flannel shirt in the batch.

 

Here it is on the quilting frame in my mother's dining room. My mother told some of her friends and some of my aunt's friends that she would have it up to quilt on it.

And so they came, including my Aunt Gert...

 

 

It starts pretty bit, but as everyone reaches the end of the comfortable stretch, it's time to roll.

 



 

 

And then after 4 hours one day and maybe 2 the next, Presto, it's quilted.

 

And that's how it's done in Portland, Michigan.  Quilting: the heritage that keep on giving.

Will pick up again on the trip post again shortly.
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