Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Old is Made New

One of the benefits of last week's window replacement was that the upheaval put me into "clean deep" mode. That mode is where you vacuum more than the main portion of the carpet...you move furniture; you use the brush attachment to clean along the edges of the room; things get put away where they belong; the cleaning goes deep. It takes time to deep clean but when it's done? Oh! how good it feels!

The worst room in our house is my sewing room which also serves as my office and which contains a twin bed for the occasional guest. Last week this room got a much-needed deep clean. And to celebrate I put away the heavy quilt and put a light-weight vintage quilt on the bed for the summer.

About ten years ago I found a vintage quilt top (a Double Wedding Ring pattern) at a yard sale in the City. Judging by the fabrics I'd say this quilt was pieced together in the late 1930s or early 1940s. And then, for whatever reason, the quilter placed this top aside, folding it carefully, keeping it safely on a closet shelf for the next 60 years. There it lay, hidden away, waiting for me.

The quilt top became mine. I wanted it to be as authentic to the 1930s as possible so I used a very thin cotton batting and hand quilted it in the style of that time.

I was mildly surprised to notice in these photos that I missed completing the cross-hatching in one white area. I thought this quilt was finished! But, no, it needs a couple more hours of work to be done. If you click the photos you can get a closer view.

I won't show you the old version of this corner of the room. No, I'm reluctant to do that. But I do hope you enjoy the new, cleaned up version.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

11 comments:

Glenda said...

I love,love this post!! I love quilts - even though I don't quilt! Your quilt is just beautiful and looks so spring-y on the bed!

I treasure the quilts that we have which were made by my mother-in-law -- and the one my daughter-in-law made and gave me this past Christmas.

And the Scripture is just perfect for your cleaning-mode post!

Linda Lee said...

A beautiful quilt---cleaning does feel good when it is accomplished!

Unknown said...

Oh, how I love that quilt.

We just yesterday tore this house apart for a deep spring cleaning .. & it does feel good, I just wonder how long it will last. Chuckle!

Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Andrea said...

Beautiful!
Blessings, andrea

Persis said...

You're quite an accomplished quilter. One of these days, I'll learn how to make tiny stitches. I really like the vintage prints used in the quilt top.

Bill said...

The quilt looks beautiful to me. When I finally arrived home early this morning and prepared to go to bed, I was startled by how cold the air in my bedroom was, compared to the places where I had slept.

I could have used your quilt.

Debby said...

All of us have a 'old view' that we don't want anyone to see!

Congratulations on beginning spring cleaning. I plan to work hard at it after spring semester ends, before summer semester begins.

S. Etole said...

It's interesting how the stitching brings out the beauty in a quilt and adds character. Your room looks very welcoming.

Mariclar said...

Neat quilt. I'd love to learn how to do that!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

As I prepare my heart and home for another move, I carefully take down the quilts off of the walls, wash them, and pack them away for the new house. Perhaps more than any other decorating items in my limited decor are my quilts. I love them, old and new and especially the ones I secured while living in the middle of Amish country.

Beautiful, friend.

peace~elaine

Laurie M. said...

Funny, I'm about to turn Tony's room (He moved out this week.) into what you're little room is - an office/hobby/guest room, and the color we plan to paint it is just about the same as the orangy color of the background of your blog.

I love deep-clean mode. When it washes over me and the rest of the house it's a wonderful thing.