It's quite a while now since I wrote the post about cutting up old, hand-embroidered tablecloths, the one that caused a certain amount of adverse comment. I looked for the post but couldn't find it which make me think I must have decided I couldn't countenance any further negativity about what seems to me to be a non-starter in the outrage stakes.
Anyway, while sorting out almost every room in the house in the past week or so - you know what it's like, you start off trying to make space for a few more books and suddenly the whole place ends up rearranged in knock-on Rubik's Cube-style solution - I unpacked some large boxes of projects I've made for various books. Out came the crochet and out came the cushions to be put to good use, and out came lots of quilts that I haven't seen for a while.
One them is the Garden Party Quilt. This is what happened to the squares of embroidered cotton I cut out of tablecloths and tray cloths and tea cosy covers. I kept to one size of square, chose all the best bits and my favourite details (a Welsh lady, some crinoline ladies, a Scottie dog, lots of herbaceous borders and richly coloured flowers) and put them all together to make a big garden party.
I used some of the leftover unstitched areas of the clotsh to make a border and put some little stitched squares in the corners. The back was made with three different quilting cottons which are all pretty, flowery, and sweet, and binding used a simple dotty pink fabric.
As there is so much stitching on the top of the quilt I decided against hand-quilting, and I tied it together instead with a pale off-white embroidery thread.
It's been so nice looking at this quilt again and remembering how much I enjoyed putting it together and how I had many favourite areas of stitching and how they still appeal. The quilt and the instructions for making it went into The Gentle Art of Stitching, but now it is out of the box and the garden party can be enjoyed in the full light of day.
Adverse comments? That's adorable, lovely, and what a wonderfully useful way to recycle tea towels that aren't really appropriate for many of us any more. Or, as I often find them at yard sales, stained in some part. This would totally take care of that particular issue! I think it's so fresh and sweet. I'm going to make sure a quilting friend of mine sees this post.
Posted by: Charlotte K | March 19, 2014 at 09:44
I think this is really lovely, and a great way to enjoy the embroidery. I too have some stained cloths, and will give this a go. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Jane | March 19, 2014 at 10:14
This is beautiful. I love the idea of giving new life to old fabrics.
Posted by: Leslie-Anne | March 19, 2014 at 10:16
very pretty, it reminds me of a sampler somehow.
can't see a man sleeping under it tho' ! i think my husband would have found it not adverse but perverse ! but then men have no idea really have they .
Posted by: susan hall | March 19, 2014 at 10:35
This is absolutely gorgeous!! I actually should be out looking for cloths as I have just a few pieces of small embroidered items.
Posted by: Elaine | March 19, 2014 at 11:10
It sings spring, really pretty. I'd love to see a picture of the entire quilt.
Posted by: Barbara | March 19, 2014 at 11:10
I don't remember the original post, but I can't imagine why on earth you would get adverse comments for such a lovely quilt! It's exquisite, really. A perfect way to use those beautiful bits of embroidery. The dotty binding is perfect.
Posted by: beth | March 19, 2014 at 11:18
Beautiful beyond compare ♥
Posted by: Jeanie Brown | March 19, 2014 at 11:31
I have a vague recollection of there being some negative comments about your cutting up lovely old tablecloths as well, but how could anyone fail but to be impressed with the delightful result. And after all, your cloths, you do what you want with them!
Posted by: Edwina | March 19, 2014 at 11:36
this turned out lovely. sorry about the negative comments----but you know the old addage about not pleasing all the people all the time. you have definitely pleased this person, though!
Posted by: steph | March 19, 2014 at 11:57
Oh, I've been waiting to see this! It's just delightful.
Posted by: Lisa G. | March 19, 2014 at 12:38
its lovely and fresh looking just like a spring garden.
Posted by: kiri | March 19, 2014 at 12:50
I've had this project on my mind since I got your book last year. It is a great incentive for finding, sorting and emptying those boxes I've got in the garage--it will be a double win!
Posted by: Katie | March 19, 2014 at 14:26
what a great idea - i love the breath of new life that has been given to these older fabrics!
Posted by: Danielle | March 19, 2014 at 15:06
I made one from your "quilt me" book. I used linens that I had bought as a job lot at an auction and I absolutely love it.
Posted by: Avril york | March 19, 2014 at 15:20
I adore this quilt and I have a crinoline lady embroidered by my Mum hanging on the wall in my bedroom. Aren't the thread colours still so vibrant ?
Posted by: christine Jacob | March 19, 2014 at 15:36
For years I've collected embroidered cloths because I can see the time, labour and thought that has gone into them, including that lovely part of any project; choosing colours and design (even though sometimes it seems that there has been a lot of resistance, huffing and puffing that has gone into an imperfect tray cloth, maybe done for school). I don't think any of the original embroidery projects was ever done casually. I have been buying them in thrift stores for 50 cents or a dollar without knowing clearly what I would do with them, save keeping them in a neat pile. Then I bought the Gentle Art of Stitching and this was my solution. I hope to replicate your quilt n the far distant future. My only problem is that my cloths are more varied in linen quality and colour than yours, so I will have to keep collecting to find ones that match!
Posted by: Sally | March 19, 2014 at 16:56
Hi Jane, I we'll remember the mass hysteria that broke out when you showed this work on your blog a few years ago; I couldn't understand it then, and can't understand it now. This is so fresh, clean, pretty and inviting, looking at it you can almost feel the cool cloth under your cheek and the unmistakeable small of freshly laundered cotton and linen.
I too pick up these pretty cloths whenever I see them, and tend to use them when setting the table for afternoon tea over a larger white cloth. They are beautiful. Thank you for showing us yet again an original way of looking at something familiar, and bringing it right up to date.
Posted by: Penny | March 19, 2014 at 17:09
*sorry that should read 'well remember' , not 'we'll remember'!
Posted by: Penny | March 19, 2014 at 17:11
Absolutely lovely. Why not enjoy vintage pieces of embroidery this way.? Keeps them alive,I say.
I have some from my husband's grandmother. I think I'll look them over again with the idea of creating a summer garden quilt. Thanks for sharing Jane, you always inspire and provide food for thought.
Posted by: Nancy Burdeniuk | March 19, 2014 at 17:53
Well, I don't remember the outcry, Jane, but I am sorry for it, especially when from my view you have honored and treasured the work of many by making this truly lovely quilt. Thanks for letting us admire it! I posted a picture of a vintage shop I visited recently with a basket of embroidery pieces going for a dollar a piece, but such handwork to me is priceless!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Gracie | March 19, 2014 at 18:03
It is beautiful, and it smells nice too! Beauty and expression concentrated, like a party. Thanks for renewing it yet again.
Posted by: Jan | March 19, 2014 at 18:25
Jane, I love this quilt and the similar one in Quilt Me! (That book is my absolute favorite and I carry it around from room to room with me to look at it during any free moment.) I had to enlarge the pics here to find a sample or two of where you neatly tied the layers together.
I have a couple of vintage chenille bedspreads and I've been thinking about cutting them into squares for a patchwork but I don't have enough variation yet. All from your inspiration, thank you for that.
Meanwhile I've found a lot of great home dec. fabrics at the thrift stores in the forms of cotton curtain panels, (tab curtains, outer shower curtains, short header panels, etc.) and tablecloths.
For both these ideas, I am thinking of making them into "summer quilts" with no batting in the middle. Do you have any thoughts on that? I don't know that I've seen any like that in your books.
Posted by: debbie | March 19, 2014 at 18:35
I well remember your post, going on three years ago I'd say.
After I read it, I began to collect pieces to make one myself.
I must admit it was a little stressful cutting the squares. But I kept telling myself it was a wonderful way to preserve and continue to use needlework from all the wonderful women who love to sew. It came out really well, if I do say so myself, and I have it where I can see it everyday. So thank you very much for the idea.
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 19, 2014 at 19:29
Beautiful, stunning, enfolding, cuddling and so individual. Thank you for showing us and giving us some inspiration!
Posted by: alisonb2 | March 19, 2014 at 19:49
I love this! I remember how badly people freaked out at the time and I was thinking...geez, people, it's not like she's not going to make something nice out of it. This turned out even lovelier than I imagined. :)
(I wish I found stuff like this at rummage sales and thrift shops...I am never so lucky)
Posted by: melissa | March 19, 2014 at 20:40
I have been contemplating doing something like this to use the pile that are just sitting there, waiting to see the light of day again! I remember that post, and the outcry. I am inspired . . . . .
Posted by: Geraldine | March 19, 2014 at 21:18
That is a completely charming quilt and I am sure only the sweetest of dreams would be dreamt from under it.
Posted by: Sally | March 19, 2014 at 22:24
Such a gorgeous quilt, it appeals to me on multiple levels! Glad to hear it's out if the box and being used & enjoyed.
Posted by: Di | March 19, 2014 at 22:38
Oh my.. such beauty out of old tea towels. Punishment to those who disagreed and may they never have these sorts of objects of love, care and beauty follow them home. It is just exquisite and such a work of art. Thank you again.
Posted by: Theo | March 19, 2014 at 23:21
Sometimes the best use of old (possibly holey) embroidery is to cut them and use the best pieces. This is a great idea!
:)
Posted by: Helen | March 20, 2014 at 07:31
I remember that post so well and the absurd, incomprehensible outcry. Interesting to read no such comments this time! It's beautiful and reminds me to get cracking with all my little bits.
Posted by: Harriet | March 20, 2014 at 10:32
I remember that post and replied that I was rather sqeamish about cutting my cloths. I don't like cutting the heads off pieces of patchwork fabric!Well an update I chickened out of cutting the cloths and sold them so someone else could do it, but I have since cut doilies to make cushions.After all why have them sitting in drawers that no one sees.
Posted by: Merilyn | March 20, 2014 at 20:00
What a fab. idea and have a stack of assorted ones just waiting for this - so en gard scissors!! pooey to naysayers, I say!!
Posted by: meppybn | March 20, 2014 at 23:39
It's so sad that there was such a negative reaction to your being creative; and using lovely stitch work in a new way. Having a lovely hand-stitched tablecloth in the closet and never using it doesn't seem a way to honor the work. You have honored the work. Well done!
Posted by: Claudia | March 21, 2014 at 13:27
I've made a quilt out of a variety of embroidered tablecloths I have collected over the years - not the best ones of course - they are for cream teas in the garden- but the ragged around the edges, stained and (sometimes) just boring ones. I've interspersed the tablecloth blocks with nine patch and appliqued heart blocks and I'm very happy with the result. I have not shown it off publicly yet so I don't know if the 'Tablecloth Police' are lying in wait!
Rachel
Posted by: Rachel | March 21, 2014 at 15:13
SO pretty, I really love it. And what a brilliant way to create something new and beautiful out of stained old tablecloths!
Posted by: Gillian Hall | March 21, 2014 at 15:55
I have been thinking of making something similar from a pile of old tablecloths from my grandmother's closet. To me this is a way of giving new life to, and cherishing all the work that has been put in to them. Maybe I'll finally get round to it now - thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: mathea | March 21, 2014 at 21:45
How lovely is that? It's beautiful x
Posted by: Carol Hodgson | March 22, 2014 at 07:36
Beautiful! I love to long arm and quilt those vintage linens. Love the random piecing you did!
Posted by: Kelly Cline | March 22, 2014 at 14:34
I LOVE this quilt! After getting your "Vintage Cakes" as a (requested) Christmas gift, I fell in love with the embroidered table linens pictured with the cakes. I have purchased two online, and am going to be collecting more. Your quilt idea is brilliant, as I have no use for those odd little things people used to sit around under knick knacks, or on top of dressers, but they would make smashing quilts!!!! Strong strong work! Ignore the naysayers, they resist change in all forms and are threatened by creativity.
Posted by: Sandra R | March 22, 2014 at 17:51
Hello there - Embroidery patterns as transfers and kits were sold in their thousands.... they were never meant to be great artworks... I love your new remodelling of these colourful embroideries, so much better than being shut away for years out of sight. The linen that was used for many of these embroideries is often of very high quality and hard to find at a reasonable price - so, the offcuts could well be reused for new embroidery ideas today ..... an excellent way to keep the crafts alive and feel virtuous too. There you are a new idea for an Etsy shop - vintage linen fabric pieces for contemporary embroidery!
Posted by: Lydia Sage | March 23, 2014 at 00:52
I am sorry you got adverse comments! I think this is a beautiful and inspiring way to upcycle things that may need too much repairing on their own, but can be reimagined as something "new." It is fabulous and creative! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Love it!
Posted by: Boo | March 23, 2014 at 20:34
I like how the quilt brings the craftwork back into view and usefulness. I have been re-purposing different things from my stash, and if nothing else the trip down memory lane is great fun.
Posted by: Liza | March 25, 2014 at 20:31
I love this quilt. I often find old tattered embroidered linens I am saving for such a quilt. Question I have is how you keep the embroidered bit from coming apart when you cut it...do you machine sew over it first?
Posted by: LYNDA Kling | March 28, 2014 at 22:55