Over the years, I have collected some very pretty quilts. Each has a great deal of sentimental value to me for different reasons. Today I want to share one of them with you.
This quilt was given to me as a gift by some very sweet friends. In the early 1990’s we lived in State College, Pennsylvania for two years. When we were moving back to California, our friends, John and Lois, came by early in the morning the day before we left. Knowing that I had a love of quilts, they brought me a quilt they purchased on a trip through the Appalachian Mountains.
This very traditional quilt is large enough for a queen size bed. Over the years we have enjoyed this quilt so much. It has become very faded and thin and has a few ink stains on it but it still has years and years of use left.
As each quilt always does, our bear claw quilt has its own special charm. Part of what makes it charming is the simplicity of the fabrics that were used to make it as well as the very simple hand quilting. More than that though, are the mistakes made by the quilter! It makes me smile every time I look at this claw that is pointing the wrong way. (The blue spot on the sashing is the ink stain I mentioned.)
There is another mistake, one that seems more likely to be missed by the quilter than a whole block pointing the wrong way. Take a look at this poor bear’s toe. Ouch.
Our quilt is so sweet and filled with its own unique character. The sashing and borders are a very simple muslin, lots of the points are cut off, some of the blocks are topsy-turvy but it has been a special part of our family for over 20 years. Right now it lives on our bed in the Downieville house, keeping us cozy until I make the Dear Stella quilt.
Linking to Jen at Quarter Inch From the Edge as well as Let’s Bee Social.
I read recently that Amish and Mennonite women purposely put a mistake in each quilt because we are not perfect so it would be prideful to make a perfect quilt. Yet it has been pointed out by some Amish women that making such a mistake would be prideful in itself as it would imply the quilt maker believes herself to indeed be perfect.I
Yes, I have rad that as well. However, I would think the mistake (if the legend is true) would be a bit more subtle! Glad you stopped by Judith!
What a wonderful gift from your friends. Not only is it beautiful and alive with character, but it is well loved as quilts should be.
It sure is Jennifer. We have used it and used it, washed it and washed it. That is what a quilt is for! It has held up well and holds sweet memories for me.
I see the person who commented before me mentioned what I had in my mind; when I was a child we would visit Amish quilt shows on occasion and the mistakes were sometimes impossible to my eye to find! I think the more use a quilt gets, the more stories it has to tell. Thank you for sharing this one today. 🙂
I have heard about that tradition as well. I just can’t think that a quilter would intentionally turn the whole block tho. Either way, it is such a sweet quilt. Have a nice afternoon Yvonne!
Very pretty! The hand quilting is a really beautiful touch.
Thanks Dan. It is definitely a favorite of mine. So nice of you to stop by!
I only saw the whole quilt and it’s beauty. I didn’t even see the mistakes until you said something.
I agree. It is a beautiful quilt. Thank you Claudia. ?
I enjoyed reading about this quilt! And I love all those little ‘mistakes’… a handmade beauty!
LOL my first thought * before starting to read * was “How did she make that so fast?” Ah I see it is a gifted treasure…very lovely and looks oh so soft and comfortable.
Haha- that’s so funny- it would have taken me quite sometime to make this one.
Awwww. What a sweet story. It’s a treasure for sure!
It’s true that the mistakes are what makes this quilt so interesting and unique. I can see why you love it so. Me, I love anything hand quilted.
The quilt looks so soft and inviting. I’m sure it’s meaningful to you in so many ways, Bernie. What a wonderful gift! Don’t you just want to know the story of the maker(s)? I wonder if it was quilted in a bee.
Exactly. It is such a special quilt. I’ve always pictured one woman making the quilt tho that is based on nothing at all. It could have been a group just as easily. And, you might have noticed it is – sort of – made in the 2016 Pantone colors (which to me says it was made in the 80’s!)
Perhaps that mistake is a humility block. Lots of old time quilters used to include them to keep themselves humble. And you’ve reminded me of a Bear’s Paw quilt I have lurking in my quilty past. Time to find it and take some pics! Thanks for linking up with Throwback Thursday @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge!