In an earlier post, I explained why this border was inspired by my childhood . . .
“I grew up in the 1950s in a small town in Oklahoma. We lived in an old neighborhood of modest homes, where there were no fences and children were free to play wherever they wanted (with a few exceptions, like flower beds and vegetable gardens). There were lots of kids, and quite a few retired couples, some of whom were almost like grandparents to me and my siblings. Sometimes I complained because we weren’t allowed to play in the house unless the weather was bad, but I consider it a pretty idyllic childhood.
Although there were newer homes being built in developments on the outskirts of town, I didn’t envy the children who lived there. We had something in our neighborhood that they didn’t . . . trees . . . huge trees. Every house in our block had at least 2 or three very old trees — we had four (one with a treehouse). In spring and summer the trees on the parking strip would form a beautiful, shady canopy over our street. There were oaks and maples and a catalpa on the corner, but mostly there were giant elms. In 1966 we moved away, and I didn’t go back for a long time. When I did, most of the elm trees were gone — killed by Dutch Elm disease — and the neighborhood was almost unrecognizable.”
My border is made up of elm leaves, cut from early 1900s chambrays, plaids and stripes. It is a struggle for me to do any kind of liberated quilt design, but I’m proud to say that I successfully resisted drawing a design, and just sewed the leaves randomly as I went around the pinned bias vine. You probably recognize this design from Anne Orr’s lovely Autumn Leaves quilt — I could have never come up with this on my own.
Free Pattern Friday will be on Saturday this week.
In my book you approached this round in the way that Gwen would have. The results are lovely and appealing. Well done!
That’s an anusual border but a very lovely one with lot of work ! I love it Martha !
What a totally beautiful border, just fabulous. It is interesting that more than a few of us have mentioned the trees of our childhood!
Very nice indeed. I love the basket.
Your border is beautiful. It complements the basket. Hugs
Lovely.
It is very sweet and unique, which is what Gwennie encourages.
The total effect of your basket and border is just lovely! Such wonderful childhood memories too!
Wonderful border.
All those plaid leaves……wonderful!
I think the border looks great, Martha. I especially like that you added the narrow border between your basket and the childhood border. And I like that you used plaids, stripes, and a few plains for the leaves in the border while you used plain fabric for the leaves and flowers in the center. You may struggle with liberated but I count it a success.
Oh, yes! I remember the day the city trucks came by and the men cut down our two beautiful elms in front and all along the street. I love the plaid leaves. Actually I like plaid anything. That’s a beautiful border.
I love your plaid leaves! I’m glad you went for the free-hand applique. Very Gwennie. This border goes beautifully with your great basket of flowers.
It sounds like you grew up in a wonderful neighborhood. We were in one of the new neighborhoods – with very few trees. My mom planted a lot of trees in our yard, but they were all small. The elm tree in the front was tall when I left home, but then the next year, it came down in an ice storm. Sad.
I really have enjoyed seeing everyone’s “childhood memories” borders, but I think yours is my favorite. It is just stunning and a great story behind it to boot!