Pleasant Pastime: Mrs. O.G. Babcock of Sonora made her first quilt when she was 16. “I just hated the thing,” she said. “I struggled and struggled trying to finish. But before I could, the house burned, and the quilt went with it. I was glad I didn’t have to finish it!”
The close-up shows the intricate pattern, “Flower Garden,” on which Mrs. Babcock is working. The blocks are cut from scraps of material and sewed together by hand. To quilt, running stitches of thread and the same or a contrasting color are used in working from the underside of the quilt. The quilting may follow the block pattern or may be entirely different.
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Quilting patterns often seen are the “Wedding Ring,” “Double Wedding Ring,” “Periwinkle” and “Dresden Plate.” Members of clubs and quilting groups often make “Friendship Quilts.” Each member makes a block and embroiders on it her name and birthdate. The finished blocks are sewed together and the lucky member who wins or buys it then completes the quilt.
Quilting may be considered a “lost art,” but all over the country there are mothers and grandmothers who continue their interesting and profitable hobby. With the aid of these women the “younger generation” might find “Aunt Dinah’s Quiltin’ Party” an enjoyable pastime in the pressure of a busy life.
My mother struggled to finish this quilt in 1968. She was not well and nearly blind. Maybe someone could have it re-done or perhaps make two small ones. Entire pieces are included.
Also enclosed are pieces ready to make a small children’s quilt. These I found at a sale (antique) and bought them since my old one has the same pattern. A great child’s quilt.
The pieces of Edith Stella’s final quilt were ultimately sewn together in the 1990’s by a friend of Peggy’s. She had begun work on this quilt in 1968, just months before passing away in October of that year. Edith May was delighted to finally hold and be comforted by this beautiful quilt of her mother’s.
