An Old-Time Quilting Bee
Yes, we held a grand reception and had everything in style,
With flowers everywhere and fruit as high as we could pile.
The aristocracy was there, all gorgeously arrayed
And everybody acted just as if t’was a dress parade.
Lucinda – she’s my wife – appeared in dresses rich and rare,
With furbelows and flounces and with flowers in her hair;
But somehow as I looked as her I couldn’t help but see
The scene when first I met her at an old-time quilting bee.
How mem’ry will keep running back to other days and scenes,
I sometimes quite forget that part of life which intervenes
Between the years when all I owned was youthful hope and health
And later times which brought me more of worriment and wealth.
And so at the reception in the midst of beauty’s glare,
Her face, though old and wrinkled, was the sweetest picture there-
The one whose smile of friendship has forever welcomed me
Since first I met her glances at an old-time quilting bee.
In those days which we old folks call the “happy long ago”
The girls would in the morning meet and gaily chat and sew;
They’d keep it up till evening, when the neighbour boys would come,
And hold a party or a dance before they left for home.
And when the quilt was finished then they’d take the old house cat
And place it in the middle while they loudly hollered “Scat!”
The two the cat would jump between, t’was said that she and he
Would be the first to marry who were at the quilting bee.
And so that night I speak of when the quilting all was done.
The girls were eager then to see which way the cat would run.
I won’t forget Lucinda as she stood there by my side,
Nor how we blushed a crimson as they called us groom and bride.
I said it was an accident, and so I’ve always said,
But anyhow before the year had passed we two were wed.
And to this very day there are no scenes so fair to me
As mem’ries of that evening at an old-time quilting bee
Author unknown
It’s time again for a little show and tell on the Fire Island Hosta quilt as I didn’t work on any thing else this time around.
Where I was three weeks ago….
And here’s is where I am today…. I stopped where the scissors are. The little show of green almost at the end.
Here’s some close ups of the quilting.
That’s it for me until next time. Here’s a list of the others that are working the needle.🙂
Lori: https://quiltingneeds.com
Margaret: https://thecraftycreek.com
Kerry: https://lovethosehandsathome.wordpress.com
Emma: https://emmacraftprojects.wordpress.com
Tracy: https://itsatsweetsday.blog
Deb: https://abearsthimble.wordpress.com
Connie: https://stitchingirlblog.wordpress.com
Deborah: https://adailydoseoffiber.wordpress.com
Susan: https://desertskyquilts.wordpress.com
Jessica: https://myhappycountryfarm.wixsite.com/website
Sherry: https://bookshookssticksetc.blogspot.com
Nannette: https://doitrightquilter.com
Using the scroll as a pattern is brilliant, and your leaves are going to look wonderful on the black. Are you close to half way now? It’s so pretty!
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Thank you! Almost half way! The scroll work takes a little more time to do than cross hatching, so I’m sure you want see a large amount done at a time for a bit.
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What a stunning piece!!
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Thank you!
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That quilt is a real treasure, one for the ages. Beautiful work.
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Thank you! I like quilting for its art with fabric and thread.🙂
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Beautiful work! I am straight lines on the sewing machine kinda gal.
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And I don’t machine quilt! I’ve tried and come away just a steaming! 😱😁 so you’ve got that one me!
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I enjoyed reading the fun poem. As always, I’m in awe of your quilting skills.
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I have fun looking for them!
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Oh my goodness, you are so talented with needle and thread! This is gorgeous.
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Thank you ,my friend!😊
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Loved the poem and the quilt is ‘coming along nicely’ 🙂
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Thank you! I found it interesting that they put a cat on the quilt.
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Yes, I wondered if it really worked. Lovely old tradition anyway 🙂
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One man got lucky away! 🙂 I agree makes a nice tradition!
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Yes he did 🙂
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It’s just so beautiful, always inspires me! I was interested to see how you had several needles in use at any one time, I’ll try and remember that one.
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Thank you! I’m not fond of threading needles,and it also helps me keep track of where I left off.
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The poem made me smile–I love the whole tradition of the quilting bee and had never heard the bit about putting the cat on the quilt! Your work looks as perfect as always–the white leaves against the black background really look super!
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I never heard of the cat run either,knew that there was partying afterwards at times,or just a simple tea time, I guess every community had their own way of doing things. I thought that plain dark leaf needed some interest added. Glad you agree.😀
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Very exciting, I love your quilted leaves they are so pretty!
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Thank you!😊
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Awesome details. Beautiful poem.
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Thank you! So nice of you to visit!
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