Last weekend I was working in my yard when a neighbor approached. He reminded me that I had said I’d like to see his grandmother’s unusual quilts. We set a time for me to come over on Tuesday with my camera.
Emma Lee Thacker, my neighbor’s grandmother, died in the 1990s (I think). She made traditional quilts, like this double wedding ring:
And this Lone Star in very pretty colors!
And this Sunbonnet Sue/Holly Hobby:
I like the different flowers held by each Sue. It’s a small thing, but memorable.
But she also made one-of-a-kind special quilts like her Man on the Moon quilt!
She liked bed-size quilts, so the quilt is double-size. The gold moon is at least 3′ in diameter. The details are so much fun!
I particularly like Michael Collins floating up above the surface of the moon in his capsule, surrounded by stars!
Emma Lee liked to enter the State Fair and I suspect she won more than once.
She was proud of her Native American heritage and it shows in this quilt:
This quilt is also bed-size. It has a red border/binding. These figurative quilts are appliqued, embroidered, and quilted by hand. I suspect that some of the fabric (maybe more than some) has polyester in it.
My neighbor said that she made many more quilts that ended up with other family members. Those include the quilts with High School mascots like this one:
She also made a crocheted double wedding ring bed-size summer cover. I can crochet, but not like this. It was amazing!
We are surrounded by images of cool, new quilts today. Instagram, Pinterest, FB… there is so much creativity in the world. But it’s good to be reminded that it has ever been thus. Quilters/crafters/sewists like to express themselves creatively in fabric and fiber.
One day it will be our grandchildren pulling our quilts out to share with others. I can only speak for myself, but these make me want to make even more playful quilts.
Piece O Cake Blog 
Aren’t antique quilts just the best? The artistry of thousands of tiny stitches make vintage quilts such treasures. I never knew one of my grandmothers but holding one of her beautifully hand sewn quilts brings me a feeling of closeness to her.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these. It’s fun to see what other people did years ago.
LikeLike
These were beautiful–all of them. Must’ve been phenomenal to see in person. Thank you for sharing the photos with all of us.
LikeLike
What a great show of quilts. I adore every one of them. Unfortunately I a not such an artist.
LikeLike
These are beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I love to look at the ones I have that my grandmothers made and think of their hands working to make them! Brings a smile to myf face!
LikeLike
I especially liked the Sunbonnet. For example the color pairs and back-to-back placement of them was different.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these. I think they’re really outstanding!
LikeLike
Wow, what a lucky man to have such a beautiful collection of quilts. His mom did outstanding work! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
Wonderful vintage quilts, polyester and all!
Glad your neighbor took the time to share these quilts with you.
LikeLike
What a treat! Thank you! I love Sue and her different flowers for each block!
LikeLike
I love the older patterns. They’re still wonderful and fun. And this woman did a GREAT job! Thanks for sharing! Always fun to look at quilts made by others!
LikeLike
thanks for sharing. This was so much fun to look at. Love seeing the creativity of others and how unique their work is/was! Thanks for posting this. Nancy
LikeLike
Those are awesome!
LikeLike