Monday, October 10, 2011

Notions

I have a notion..... that I can't sew.  These past few days have been frustrating as I've tried to make curtains, for those of you who correctly guessed what the fabric was for.  Sewing tape and hot glue ain't cuttin' it! A friend is coming over to rescue me tonight.  Truth is, I don't even own a sewing machine. Jealous of all of you talented seamstresses out there.  I have the vision but not the know how. 

These spools of thread belonged to a sweet little lady who is 80+ years old . Some of these were her mother in law's.  Very vintage.

Wooden spools.



Look at the prices, marked 15 and  29 cents.

I have a jar of vintage white thread spools. Seems they didn't have a lot of colors back then. Love these primary colors.




Surprise of all surprises, my sweet cousin Angi (Southwest Cottage Designs) sent me a gift.  One that I was not expecting.
This quilt!

Wowsa!  It felt like Christmas.
Angi and I both have fond memories of our grandmother sewing quilts.  Seems she was always working on a quilt. 

The colors are so bright and cheery, just the kind of fabric Grandmother Beatrice would have used.  I remember her gathering fabric scraps from every possible place.  She had a story about the origination of each little remnant.


Angi is like a sister I never had. We talk every week.  She's on the west coast and I'm on the east. Yet the fabrics of our lives remain woven together through stitches of love.

  I am headed out this week to help a friend, who reads this blog, (love you Tracy!)  She isn't asking me to do any sewing thankfully, but we are going to pick out fabrics, paint and decor for her new house! 
I'll catch up with you in a few days!

34 comments:

podso said...

Funny I am just turning to get out my sewing machine but read this first! I do sewing out of necessity not love. I'm about to recover a pillow. Used to make dresses when they were simple a-line (well I guess they are again!) Anyway, I have a glass bowl of such spools in my office--I love the old spools. Don't get rid of them--a classic!!

Debbiedoos said...

We share the same notion! Love that quilt, so pretty!

Julie Harward said...

I LOVE your new quilt..and I love the old wooden spools too, I have an old glass bottle full of them. I just love the look and the feel of them. :D

Lounging with a Latte said...

What a lovely gift, especially when it comes with a history. Hope you enjoy your time with your friend, it sounds like fun!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Great quilt. That is like Christmas. I am not a sewer either. I get so frustrated with it and give up!

Becky K. said...

I don't sew either and sometimes feel totally left out of a wonderful thing...but then I go make a candle and am happy again.

That quilt is an amazing gift! Beautiful!!

Cindy said...

Hello my dearest Tammy,
I love the vintage thread! What a nice thing to be given, I would love to find some of those. I would save them for when my sewing room gets built;)
What a sweet gift for Angi to send you! I love old quilts and one that has a family history is so wonderful and precious. Have fun picking out fabrics and decorating with your friend. Sure wish I lived close, I would come over and sew those wt's up in no time. If only...
Love and hugs, Cindy

Unknown said...

Thread and I don't get along together at all. But I love the beauty of hand sewn items. So beautiful and how lucky you are to recieve such nice gifts..(I'm lucky too) and the vintage thread with the wooden spools are awesome and the price but better yet they were made in the USA!

Unknown said...

Double wedding ring is always a favorite quilt of mine! Great vintage threads and spools.

Blessings!
Gail

Gina said...

What a beautiful quilt & a sweet gift! I feel your pain...I wish I could sew too.

Pamela Gordon said...

I love old spools of thread too. That quilt is beautiful and so colorful. I hope you have a great week! Pamela

Pamela said...

How fun is that! I love vintage notions. Have a safe and fun trip!

Michele Smith said...

What a sweet gift, its beautiful! Great vintage threads....I don't sew either!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh don't give up the ship, you could take one quick sewing class and you would be on your way. Not a lot of sewing skill is needed for simple craft projects, I know you could do it. That is one gorgeous quilt, now that is something I have never tried!

Carol

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

Beautiful quilt. What a wonderful treat. Regarding the lantern on my table...TJ Maxx. Love that store.

sweet violets said...

Love those spools, I have the same ones from my mom and keep them in my grandma's big blue canning jar......and that quilt is fantastic, what a treasure!!

I agree, take a sewing class, sewing for the home, quilting and craft sewing is easy....its clothing construction that is a pain!!! hugs...cleo

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Oh wowsa, is right! Love, love the quilt! How sweet to receive such a lovely gift. And those vintage spools of thread make my heart sing. I remember my mother (a super seamstress, she is) using those until they stopped making them. I just posted about finding some in an antique mall for my cookie jar. I just love 'em.

Have fun on your excursion!

Gabriela Delworth - Certified Instructional Designer said...

Hello,

Love quilts! Those vintage spools are fabulous!


Gabriela

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

What a beautiful quilt! And the sentiment behind it is just priceless! I have my sewing struggles for sure....it does not come easy for me....I just keep plugging away at it....and yelling....and fussing....and some cursing....until it's done! lol

Lou Cinda

Heather said...

What great wooden spools. Sorry to hear that your sewing isn't going to great...wish I was there to help!

Amy Chalmers said...

In my sewing room right now Tammy! I am making some big ruffles for the ends of Pottery Barn silk drapes for a client. I learned how to sew in Home Economics class, and I wish they still taught kids how to do that. The old notions are great.

Amy Chalmers said...

Hi again! I just read this post that is very smart~ a no sew version of a roman shade...maybe you could try this!! http://mapleandmagnolia.com/2011/10/10/faux-striped-grain-sack-faux-roman-shade/

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

What a charming quilt...love the style and colors!!! Sewing can really get to a person...I know I have had some bad sewing days:)

Blessings,
Linda

Sheets on the line, love in my heart. said...

i love your pictures! the thread pictures really spoke to my heart. :)
i am a newbie at this blogging forum...but i learn so much from wonderful people like you
thank you for sharing your art form.
blessings,
rebecca

Karen said...

Hi Tammy-
Beautiful story about the quilt and your cousin. How special. Those old wooden spools of thread are so special. My mom has several of those I would love to get from her. They are hers and her mother's. Lovely post. :)
xo~
Karen

Erin Branscom said...

I love your blog! :) I became a new follower! Erin

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

Isn't the quilt beautiful? I love it and knew that you would treasure it. What a sweet and interesting post on the spools of thread...and the quilt.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, Tammy!! What a generous kind friend you have. That quilt is gorgeous. Wrapped in those colors you will always be able to chase away any cloudy day. The spools are precious too. Check out Dayle's page (A Collection of This and That), if you have not by now, and see how she has displayed hers so beautifully.

Have fun with your friend and all the wonderful girly to-do's.

Sunny Simple Life said...

Oh I am the same. Can't sew for the life of me and actually have a machine. I am so jealous of other sewers. I want to take a class for those that don't even know how to turn on the machine.

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

I love the idea of using fabric remnants for a quilt...and I love how your Grandmother had a story for each piece. Sweet.

Rachel Rose Mercantile said...

Yeah! Hi Beatrice! Love the post! I have been looking for a sewing class here in San Diego...so glad there someone else I know who doesn't sew! LOve the pics!

Lori said...

Stick with it, you can do it!! Learning is a lot of trial and error, but it's worth it.
I love all these photos, the colors are gorgeous and I'm glad there are others who appreciate the beauty of a vintage spool of thread. :)

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Charming post. Angi is a good friend. You are both lucky.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

I love your Dresden Plate quilt! (Did you know that's the pattern name?) My Grandmother made one for me, and I've used it so much it now needs to be repaired. What a thoughtful and wonderful surprise!