So, without further ado, here is my completed Chester County
Criswell Quilt. It finishes about ( I forgot to measure) 79 inches square. The blocks are 12 inches and I put a 3 1/2 inch border all around.
Part of the fascination with this quilt is the numbers that popped out. The original was made in 1852 as a wedding quilt. I was born in 1952. It was made in Chester County Pennsylvania. My father's name was Chester. And Mar 9 showed up somewhere and that was his birthday.
I started the BOM a bit over 2 years ago and kept pace with 1 1/2 blocks per month for a total of 32 twelve inch blocks and one 24 inch center block. I decided to do needle-turned hand applique. I love how relaxing it is once you get into the rhythm of it.
I started the center block as I was planning my first trip to Poland in Sept 2013. By golly, that is exactly when I started this blog! I was listening to hours and hours of Polish lessons on-line as I stitched that center block. Then I prepped several blocks and took them with me to Poland to meet my father's family for the very first time. I stitched throughout my visit. My then 88 year old aunt asked me what I was doing. Stitching says I. Why do you do that? To keep from biting my nails I replied. What are you going to do with it when you finish? Check out my first visit.
Now, I start far more quilts than I ever finish, but I was determined to complete this one. I only had 2 years to do that. It was on my second visit last year that I decided to complete it and give it to my aunt for her 90th birthday. At Christmas last year, I had all my family that came to celebrate here at the Farm sign their names and birth dates. That was 23 of us. One of my sisters living in England came to visit in June so she signed her name and those of her children and grand children. I added our parents names and machine quilted the thing in 2 days just before flying out to Poland 2 weeks ago. I used a gray on cream toile for the backing.
As the quilt was being presented to my our aunt, I told the story through an interpreter and then invited everyone at the party to sign their names also.
She loves it.
Happy 90th birthday Ciocia Albina
Chris
Part of the fascination with this quilt is the numbers that popped out. The original was made in 1852 as a wedding quilt. I was born in 1952. It was made in Chester County Pennsylvania. My father's name was Chester. And Mar 9 showed up somewhere and that was his birthday.
I started the BOM a bit over 2 years ago and kept pace with 1 1/2 blocks per month for a total of 32 twelve inch blocks and one 24 inch center block. I decided to do needle-turned hand applique. I love how relaxing it is once you get into the rhythm of it.
I started the center block as I was planning my first trip to Poland in Sept 2013. By golly, that is exactly when I started this blog! I was listening to hours and hours of Polish lessons on-line as I stitched that center block. Then I prepped several blocks and took them with me to Poland to meet my father's family for the very first time. I stitched throughout my visit. My then 88 year old aunt asked me what I was doing. Stitching says I. Why do you do that? To keep from biting my nails I replied. What are you going to do with it when you finish? Check out my first visit.
Now, I start far more quilts than I ever finish, but I was determined to complete this one. I only had 2 years to do that. It was on my second visit last year that I decided to complete it and give it to my aunt for her 90th birthday. At Christmas last year, I had all my family that came to celebrate here at the Farm sign their names and birth dates. That was 23 of us. One of my sisters living in England came to visit in June so she signed her name and those of her children and grand children. I added our parents names and machine quilted the thing in 2 days just before flying out to Poland 2 weeks ago. I used a gray on cream toile for the backing.
As the quilt was being presented to my our aunt, I told the story through an interpreter and then invited everyone at the party to sign their names also.
She loves it.
Happy 90th birthday Ciocia Albina
Chris
What a wonderful thing you did for your aunt, Chris. I know she will treasure it and provide hours of conversation for her as people look and admire it. How special! I, too, have started many quilts. That's why I started WIPs Be Gone on my blog to see if I can now get some of them done. You're invited to come by Friday's and link up. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI don't have to actually finish a quilt to link up do I? I does feel really good to finish one. I might try to finish another.
DeleteSuch a wonderful story to go along with this beautiful quilt. It must have been quite a surprise on her birthday to recieve the quilt. Thank you for sharing such a touching story and your beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteThankyou. She is pretty straight faced about everything, but she had it laid out on her bed and was just looking at it the next day. she had it folded up before going to bed.
DeleteAwesome quilt, lovely story to go with it! X
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was a challenge to keep it a surprise.
DeleteYour aunt is going to treasure this quilt. Every time she looks at it, she will think of you. Blessings, Gretchen
ReplyDeleteShe sat there the next day just looking at it and touching some of the blocks.
DeleteOH how fantastic! This is such an amazing accomplishment Chris, and a lovefilled gift!
ReplyDeleteNow that I know what it feels like to complete a quilt, I sh ould do it again soon so I don't forget.
DeleteSuch a gorgeous finish Chris!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the completion of this treasure.
What a truly amazing and generous gift for your Aunt on her 90th birthday!
Thanks. She is a truly and amazing treasure. This year one of my sisters, a brother and a niece are spending Christmas with her.
DeleteCongratulations on the finish! I know the quilt has found the perfect home. And Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a perfect fit. Merry Christmas
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift for your Aunt and a beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeletethank you. It was a lot of fun working on it especially for her and a deadline to complete it. Most of my quilts I am just making because I want to with no specific goal.
DeleteMerry Christmas Chris Cheers Glenda
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Glenda. We have no snow for a white Christmas but winter will arrive soon enough for me.
DeleteWow! How fantastic that you have finished the CCCQ, big congratulations and hugs, it looks wonderful! What a splendid gift for your aunt with all the family signatures. Merry Christmas Chris and all the best for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteI consider it a warm hug from her whole family.
Deletethank you. she is pretty awesome too.
ReplyDeleteA delightful story and a delightful quilt. I used to hate applique, but after a class in needle turn, I like it much better. I definitely like the results and keep imagining shapes that I can't piece. Visiting from NTT. claire aka knitnkwilt.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteI first learned needleturn a few years ago in a Baltimore class and could not get the hang of it. But that all changed with this quilt. I had tried a couple of other approaches but needle turn finally clocked and now I love it. It is so relaxing.
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