Several readers suggested that I tie the little Flower Garden quilt, and that idea really appealed to me. I’ve never made a tied doll quilt before, and I thought it would be fun to try.
The top, backing and binding are vintage fabrics — the batting is an old flannel sheet. Although I’m fond of the backing fabric, I wish I could have found a piece with a smaller print. The ties are 3 strands of embroidery floss.
I fondly remember all the utility quilts made by my Grandmother Dellasega (Grandma Dell). They were extremely heavy, so I suspect she may have used worn quilts or blankets as batting, which made them very warm and cozy. The patterns were simple and I don’t remember them as being particularly pretty, but I loved them just the same. One of the things that struck me about her quilts was how closely tied they were. The yarn colors never matched the quilt, so they stood out — I’m sure she used whatever yarn she had on hand. I never saw her make a quilt, but as a child I remember thinking that it would take a person a really long time to tie all those knots.
In homage to her, I tied this little quilt in Grandma Dell style. I think she’d like it.
Grandmother’s Flower Garden Doll Quilt
Martha Dellasega Gray, 2010
hand pieced and tied
16″ x 20″
Oh Martha..it’s darling! It’s a sweet reminder of Grandma dell too? 😉
oh my gosh it is just adorable.
soooo cute.
I love that you tied it.
Kathie
Such a sweet little quilt and welcome back Martha – hope you had a good break.
So pretty! Had to come over and look from flickr, grandma’s flower garden was the quilt of choice of my husband’s grandma. Every new granchild and great grandchild got one, she was quick!
It’s so beautiful, Martha – I love it tied so closely, it is just wonderful, I love Grandma Dell’s style. You’ve done it again, made an extraordinary quilt!
The little doll quilt I found this summer is tied, and I really love the look of it. Yours is wonderful, and I think that backing fabric is perfect.
SO VERY SWEET! The tied blocks are so cute – love Grandma Dell’s style! The backing is really pretty and I especially like the curvy red binding. WONDERFUL job, Martha, and WONDERFUL to see you back! Hope you had a nice break.
Hi Martha! I hope you enjoyed your ‘summer break’! I think the red knots on the front are complemented by the roses on the backing fabric. The closeness of the knots really adds to the design of the quilt. It’s a charmer, for sure!
Welcome home! I hope you had a fun restful vacation.
I LOVE the red ties! it looks perfectly charming!!
I love it and I love the small scale! Well done Martha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Martha, it is so sweet. I would never have thought of tying it, but it works perfectly.
You know, I think that the knots and the floral backing help give the quilt scale – you can really see now that the hexagons are tiny. I think it really looks like a doll quilt now.
The red binding is stunning.
Thanks for sharing the story of your Grandmother’s quilts and welcome back from your break.
Welcome back, Martha! Hope you had a relaxing summer break 🙂
I love this little quilt! It is adorable! The ties are so sweet in-between the flowers. And I’m totally smitten by the cute red wavy border!
I am smitten with your little GFG doll quilt – just precious!
I took a chance and checked your blog this morning even knowing you wouldn’t be back till September….clearly this reader missed you! I was delighted to find you back early and as busy and creative as ever. I loved your story about your Grandmother and it made me realize I read your blog for your excellent writing ability as well as your quilting talent!
It is beautiful. That certainly is a lot of ties.
Oh Martha, this little quilt is so cute! And I love your story about your grandmother. I´m sure she would love it, too. 🙂
How are you displaying it? Togehter with a doll? Or do you hang it on the wall?
Wow, this quilt is really beautiful!