Saturday, November 26, 2011

A new look for a vintage skirt


When I was young, my mother found a pattern in a magazine for a Seminole patchwork skirt.  I think it was the seventies, and I think it was McCall's, but I can't find the pattern or the issue.  Maybe one of you remember it.  It was made with bias tape cut into many tiny pieces and sewn into traditional patterns in rows.  The skirt had 3.5 yards gathered into a small waistband.  It was thirty inches long.  I have been saving this for a long time, only bringing it out to show occasionally.  Last night, I had a brilliant idea of how to have this incredible work on display all the time.  I decided to make it into a quilt.


Look at all that piecing!  I am going to have to figure out a way to quilt this that does not detract from the piecing at all.  Here is a look at the back.


When I think about all the patience it took to put this skirt together, I am amazed.  I am such a slow piecer, I think this would have taken me many years.  I don't remember how long it took Mom.  She was a very talented woman who often made complex and beautiful things.  One time, she made a mosaic coffee table where she cut hundreds of small square tiles into small pieces to create a seascape.  It was wonderful to grow up in a family where creating beautiful artistic things was celebrated. 
The other thing I did today, that I can show, was the mug rugs for the hunters.

The backs are plaid.
Today, I had an unexpected visit with Bella.  She has a nasty cold and both her parents had meetings, so I didn't get a full day in the studio.  I hope she gets well soon.
Tomorrow, I am working on a mini red and white quilt, and other things on my list.  The ear infection is almost conquered, and I am not in constant pain, so that is a good thing.  I hope you all have a joy filled day.




5 comments:

Kim said...

Love the skirt........how heavy is it? Many many hours of piecing!

Happy Sewing

Impera Magna said...

Oh my goodness! Look at all that tiny piecing... what a treasure!

Yes, you were fortunate to grow up in a home with all that creativity... I'm happy that you're carrying on that creativity and exposing new generations to it...

Hope Miss Bella feels better quickly! I hate when the little ones are ill...

Nifty Quilts said...

I'm sure you'll pay fitting tribute to your mother's beautiful work. Can't wait to see it!

Sarah Craig said...

What a great idea to repurpose the skirt! I grew up in South Florida, so I saw a lot of the Seminole piecing - it is really amazing! So sorry about Bella's cold - if she's like LIlli, she just wants to be left alone when she's sick, but you have to be nearby - so no work or fabric play gets done! Hope both of you are much better very soon!!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

That skirt is fabulous! What a treasure you have there. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

glen