May 22, 2010

Blogger's Quilt Festival 2010: Mystery Baskets

It's hard to believe that this is my third Blogger's Quilt Festival. Amy you are a darling to bring us bloggers together through the BQF so thank you.

There is a story behind every quilt, but this quilt has more than a story, there is a mystery about this quilt. Let me tell you about it. All through Australia there are opportunity (thrift stores for you in the US) shops called 'Salvos', short for Salvation Army. There are remnant fabrics in all the branches of the Salvos and I have found some great fabric from them. This is my way of recycling. On one of these visits I found the quilt top amongst the remnants. It had a $1.00 tag on it. I picked it up and had a good look. It was well pieced and well appliqued. I put it back because I did not want another UFO! I walked away thinking why did someone give away a perfectly good quilt top! I walked past it again and thought, I 'm a quilter and I have a responsibility to rescue this top and finish it. So that what I did!

The top was completed with only one basket left without applique on it. I appliquéd the rest of the flowers and added the inner and outer border with the corner stones to complete the quilt. I already have fabric in my stash that goes quite well with the top. Whoever made this top had done a lovely job even using the reverse side of the fabric for the four triangles. I then reversed the fabric for the corner stone in keeping with what was there already. I sent it off to Donna Ward to machine quilt it for me.

I should have taken a photo of it when I got it, but this happened before I started blogging so I didn't think to do that. This is how I found the top less a few flowers.

Wouldn't it be great if I could find out who made this quilt? In the meantime it remains a mystery quilt for me and that is why, I named it Mystery Baskets. Even though I didn't start this quilt, by completing it I feel that this is how it was meant to be.

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a lovely post Nat, I am sure who ever made started this lovely quilt will be thrilled you have completed it. You have done such a good job, well done!

Nedra said...

What a delightful story. We have Salvation Army here too, but not the nickname to go with it.
We usually see the bell ringers collecting donations in front of every major grocery store at Christmas time.

Melinda said...

Lovely story and a wonderful quilt. Aren't you glad you rescued it?

Unknown said...

what a great story! love the part where you hesitated and then reconsidered. it's a very human story indeed! it turned out so well and I do hope you solve the mystery of the unknown quiltmaker!

Sharon said...

Aren't you glad you walked back and rescued this adorable quilt? It is wonderful! Love the story behind it, and it turned out lovely.

Jocelyn said...

Nat, the quilt is lovely. You did a good thing in rescuing it. And you also did a wonderful job in completing the project!

Terry said...

Morning Nat
You are so good at shopping at Sallies and this time you didn't have to repopurse the fabric just complete.
The mystery may never be solved but there will always be a connection between you and another quilter.

Astrid said...

A lovely quilt, Nat! I'm sure you now are glad you did go back and bought it! I love the story behind it - indeed - a real mystery quilt! :) No Salvation Army here, no thrift shops either... I used to visit those shops regular at home...

Suedio said...

I really like the way you bring new life to things others don't want any more. Lovely quilt, Nat.

Regards, Sue

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Lovely story Nat, wouldn't it be wonderful if someone who reads this posts knows something about it?! How wonderful of you to rescue a quilt top and finish it off so beautifully. xo

RG said...

Hi Nat :-)
This is a wonderful story and a great rescue and good on you for going back, picking it up and finishing it.
A beautiful job well done.. Lovely baskets, quilt and all!!

retdairyqueen said...

Well worth going back for
I have a beautiful double bed quilt top a friend rescued from an Opp shop and has given to me to finish
dOES MAKE YOU WONDER THE STORY BEHIND THESE QUILTS

Janet said...

I wonder what the story behind it was but the quilter would be thrilled to see it now. I love the oranges with the blue and the quilting is lovely too.

Valentina said...

Oh, I am so happy you went back and rescued it! And made it bloom...
Nat, i love it. Thanks so much for sharing!
:)
Valentina ( a fellow 'Nymphi' :)!

Laurie said...

I hope my unfinished projects find as good a home...I'm not ready to give up the ghost yet, but I wonder what my fam will do if I run out of time before I run out of projects.

Miri said...

Lovely story! Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone saw this post and recognized the quilt!

Wonderful finish and rescue. We usually hear about rescues of vintage quilts.

Betty said...

Wow what a find. It looks lovely.

Willow

Lis Harwood said...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you tracked down the original quilter via your blog? You could find out why she didn't finish the quilt and why she gave the quilt top away. You have done a stunning job of giving it a new life and I'm glad you didn't walk away from it, Lis x

O'Quilts said...

Great story, great quilt and your good heart:)

AnnieO said...

What a fabulous rescue! Your beautiful finish of this little UFO does justice to its start, somewhere, by a quilter. I think the use of the back of the fabric was so clever too! Thank you for sharing this quilt's story :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Great story and beautiful quilt. Thank you for sharing Nat.

Kim D. said...

Loved your story Nat and I'm glad you rescued the quilt and finished it. It's lovely. I purchased some old orphan blocks in a thrift store awhile back and need to decide how to finish them.

Sharon said...

What a great story! Aren't you glad you rescued that quilt? It's beautiful. Who would give it away?? I love the quilting on it. It's a happy little quilt! I love it!

Sue-Anne said...

Great quilt Nat and what a wonderful story to go with it!!! Whoever made the top would be grateful to see it completed and hanging in your home. I love the baskets you have sitting on the bench below it too. Thanks for sharing your Mystery Baskets quilt.

QuiltSue said...

A lovely quilt with a lovely story.

Anonymous said...

wow is't your 3rd Blogger's Quilt Festival already, I remember when you found that and started working on finishing it.

I love the collection of baskets you have.

Cheers Lynda. xxx

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Wow Nat what a great name for a great quilt...you never know somebody just me see it on your blog and know the owner...You have done a fabulous job on Mystery Baskets...Dzintra♥x

Micki said...

It is wonderful that you got to finish the quilt. I love the baskets!
Micki

*karendianne. said...

Aww, what a delightful story. I love how you pulled it all together. Sweet. Wonderfully perfect name, too.

SewCalGal said...

Great quilt story! What a beautiful quilt. You did a great job finishing it!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Ivory Spring said...

Oh Natima,

I am glad you rescued that quilt top - it is most darling!!!!

Love the quilting too.

Unknown said...

EXQUISITE!, Nat. What a wonderful rescue.

Have a lovely week.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Susan said...

Great find. You did it proud.

Anonymous said...

Amazing Salvos 'find' and SAVE! You will have to let us know if the mystery gets solved...?! Such a lovely little quilt. Thanks for sharing! : )

PJ said...

I enjoyed reading about the quilt and how you saved it. In Canada, we call the Salvation Army the Sally Ann and they do good work. Every time I see a kettle, they get some dollar bills. I bought a quilt I found at a local shop but I haven't started working on it yet. Good for you for getting it done. It's very nice... love the name!

ria vogelzang said...

You did such a great job!!! I agree: it is our responsibility to rescue a quilt....... (I also did once..... :) ..)
She turned out to be a beauty!! Love your story!
Big hug, Ria.
(missed you too....!)

quiltmom anna said...

It is a gorgeous little quilt - Nat and so appropriate that it was rescued by someone who would treasure it. What a happy story and a great quilt.
Regards,
Anna
http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi Nat, I have just recently discovered your blog and have been going back thru some of your past postings. I love how you rescued the abandoned quilt top, it looks wonderful with your finishing touches. Also enjoyed your photos of Japan, which I was lucky enough to visit 3 years ago. from Jenny McH

Kelli said...

Awesome! Adopt a quilt top!
Looks great and you did a really good job of finishing it!

beth said...

wow! I love the fact that you found it and finished it. What a wonderful quilt!!!

Eileen said...

a great story--how wonderful you rescued it and finished it so lovingly. would be really fun if the person who started it found your blog!! thanks for sharing

Zlaty said...

lovely quilt! great color combination!

Karen said...

So glad you went back and picked it up. It has turned out wonderfully. Love the quilting.

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