Comfort Lap Quilts For The Matriarchs Of The Family.
Grandma's Old Quilt.
Family Reunion
We have family reunions every two years. My side of the family is pretty big. The main people in this family are our aunts and an uncle; there were six sisters and one brother. Whenever we had the reunions everyone always brought gifts for grandma, aunts and our uncle. They were and are the special people.
Our grandpa died in 1959 when we were having a family get together. He would have loved all the reunions. Uncle died 1988, shortly after our 100-year-old grandma died, my dad died 3 months later. After grandma passed away the sisters were now the matriarchs of the family.
1948 Family Reunion
Mountain View Reunion
Mountain View
We have had our reunions at Mountain View in the Arkansas mountains. Mountain View is a great little town in the hills of Arkansas Ozark Mountains, the White River and some creeks near by. Lots of fun stuff to do there. Downtown there's music played in the square. Old time hoedowns are lots of fun. Bring your lawn chairs and stay awhile.
It is very hilly in Mountain View and was getting too hard for the older folks to walk around so we have had to change places in for our reunions.
Family at Reel Foot Lake
Some of The Cousins in the Jonesboro Reunion
Reelfoot Lake In TN
My cousin the planner of all the reunions moved the reunions to Reelfoot Lake; The Lake was formed during the Madrid earthquakes in 1811-1812. Great fishing and boating, but I saw water moccasins. The water moccasins kind of set me off from it. It is very pretty and somewhere around here I have pictures. When I find them I'll put them on. Each place we went to we stayed at a resort.
We later moved the reunions to Jonesboro, Arkansas, my favorite place, no snakes, at least not at Holiday Inn.
The older folks in our family needed to be in a place where there wasn't so much traveling to do and Jonesboro worked out the best for everyone.
The Holiday Inn was very nice. They had great beds with nice linen. There is breakfast in the morning. It's close to shopping and restaurants.
Lap Quilts
The Quilts
I decided one year to make the matriarchs each a little quilt just a small one for either their laps or they could use them on the table. By this time our uncle had passed away but we always included his wife in the gift. One aunt had also passed away. I have a small baby quilt in this size and I often use it just to cover my feet or just around my shoulders, when it's too warm for a large throw.
It is really hard to figure out what to get all of them sometimes and this is what I came up with.
The sizes of the quilts I made were 52X52. I used larger blocks on most of them so they would go fast. I did each one in a different block. I used colors I thought each aunt (my mother included) would like. Most blocks were just simple squares. I did one pinwheel pattern and a four point star on a couple of the quilts.
When I was finished with them I rolled them and tied them with a bow.
It was fun making the quilts. Really not hard, would be even easier if you just make a throw pillow. Pillows won’t take as much fabric or time. Make one large block maybe 14X14 with a plain back. Buy a pillow form. Sew the two sides together. I included a video on how to make a patchwork pillow.
These little quilts would be great for a baby shower. If you want to make them warmer than back them with flannel or do the quilts completely in flannel. I always like small quilts to carry with my babies and these would be just right size. Make them in baby prints or prints to match a nursery.
If you’re looking for some good quilt blocks check out the link below. There are hundreds of blocks on this site called Quilt Blocks Galore address below.
, . You can also check out
Millionaire Tips on how to learn to make a quilt.
Lap quilts are easy to make and you use up leftover fabric on them to save time you can make all your quilt blocks the same in just different fabric and put together a small quilt. They are small enough to be quilted on a regular machine.
This year I have 12 quilts to make. My husband is helping me we're making for our kids and grandkids, daughter-in-laws and son-in-laws. It gets cold here in the winter and I hate getting out so making quilts keep us busy. The photo below is one of the quilts we started making the jelly roll quilt another easy quilt to make. Our cat ( Levi Jones ) has to test out each quilt.
Jelly Roll Quilt
Having Family Reunions
It's a great thing to have family reunions. So much changes in a family so very fast. My aunt and uncle are in a nursing home now. We have another aunt who is also in a nursing home she doesn't even recognize her daughter. My cousin is in a nursing home and has stopped eating and she couldn't stay at home because she wondered off. My uncle died on Friday. My brother-in-law is in the hospital and not expected to live. This all happened within a year.
There are only two of the sisters left. My mother passed away this year 2015. Many others in my side of the family have passed away.
My husband's family in two years he lost two sisters and a brother. Sad to say in 2014 my husband passed away.
Sad to say, but I think our family reunions are over.
Blocks Galore
- Quilt Blocks Galore!
Hundreds of free patterns with complete graphics and text instructions.
Do You Quilt
Making a Patch Work Pillow
Copyright © 2015
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Lap Quilts For The Matriarchs Of The Family.
Comments
AUTHORCraftytotheCore, So sorry you couldn't go to your reunions. We have also missed some. We try to keep track of cousins and sunts on facebook now. Thanks so much for stopping by.
What a beautiful Hub! I just admire your quilting talent. What a thoughtful and exquisite gift too. We had a family get-together when I was a teenager. My grandmother's side of the family came up from the south. It was a lot of fun. The memories have stuck with me all these years. Then in the past few years, since my grandmother passed away, family here has gone to the mountains in West Virginia. I haven't been able to go because of health issues.
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Peggy W , Thanks for the pin. I appreciate it.
Hi moonlake,
I added the photo of the 3 quilts hanging on a line into my sewing projects board on Pinterest. They are so colorful and am sure that your family members who received them treasure them.
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Deborah-Diane, Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
My grandmother made me several quilts. I love the ones in your photographs!
- AUTHOR
TheListLady, I remember crinolines we also called them can-cans. They're kind of back in style.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for the vote.
This is pure art! How well I remember my mother and her sister sitting and quilting and they would also make crinolines for us girls. Remember crinolines to wear under your dresses so the dress would stick out? Then my mother would crochet and never use a pattern. Our elders were pure artists.
And isn't it amazing how something so small as a lap quilt could make all the difference in keeping you warm?
It's been years since I have created anything but you have inspired me. Love your creative hubs and always so happy when I visit. Thanks a million! Rated up of course and more. Yay!
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Au fait, Thank you and thanks so much for stopping by. So few are left for our family reunions now. It is sad.
Thanks for the vote.
You have some really fantastic family photos here. Knowing how to sew can be such an advantage. These quilts are not only useful and beautiful, but great heirlooms, and special because they were made by someone special. Voted up!
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rajan jolly, Thank you so glad you stopped by I appreciate it. Thanks also for the vote.
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This is a very useful and interesting hub. Useful since it has links on how to make these wonderful gifts and interesting as I am personally in favor of having family reunions. With family relatives being spread out over the country these days it is imperative for the kids to know who's who and to have sometime to spend together with the elders and know each other.
Voted up, useful and interesting.
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faythef, Thank you for stopping by and thanks for the vote I appreciate it.
What great ideas..I am sure the sisters loved them..voted up and across the board, except funny...
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Sharkye11, Thank you, I'm working on a jelly roll quilt tonight. Having my husband help me if we don't kill each other before it's over. Thanks so much for the vote and the share.
What a great hub! Wow, your family reunions are not too far from my family reunions! We are Ozark people too, and like your family, for the longest time there were seven sisters (one was my grandmother) that were the matriarchs. I completely understand the family hierarchy, and the amount of respect that goes to the older relatives. I think it is wonderful that you made them all such a nice gift! Voting up and sharing!
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vespawoolf, I hope they have but I'm little better at making quilts than I was at that time. Thanks so much for stopping and leaving a comment.
I don't quilt, but my grandmother does. I'm going to share this with her--it's a great idea and more manageable than a large quilt. I enjoyed seeing the photos of your family reunions. I'm sure your relatives have enjoyed their lap quilts!
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RTalloni, I have so many quilts started and I need to get them finished. I figure when the snow flies will be a good time and have my husband help me. It will give him something to do.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment I appreciate it.
How lovely that you've been able to hold on to family connections and that you've strenghtened those connections with your quilting.
I couldn't vote in your poll because although I've done a little "sort of" quilting I can't truly call myself a quilter, but I admire those with a talent for it.
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KoffeeKlatch Gals, Thank you I really hope they all enjoyed their quilts. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the vote. I appreciate it.
What a lovely gift you gave your relatives, espically since it was homemade. Your quits are beautiful. Up, interesting, useful, and awesome.
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mvillecat, Thank you glad you enjoyed the hub. Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting my hub. I appreciate it.
What a wonderful idea! I had read a blog where the quilter was making a quilt for each child that attended a reunion. This is a great way to honor the elders of the family-with a beautiful, handmade quilt from the younger folk. Very nice.
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Vanderleelie, Thank you I hope that they were treasured and have been passed down. Thanks so much for stopping I really appreciate it and thanks for the vote.
What a lovely way to honour your relatives at a family gathering! I'm sure these small quilts will be treasured and in time, passed down to others. I like the fact that hand made quilts are one-of-a-kind works of art. Voted up and interesting.
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RunningDeer, Thanks so much for stopping by I appreciate it. Quilting is not hard if you do the simple quilts like I did. We go to lots of quilt shows and I have seen some beautiful ones and fancy. Thanks, for the vote.
Your quilts are beautiful! This is something I've always wanted to learn how to do. And you incorporated it into your family and history. Very cool. Thanks for sharing! Voted up, interesting, and awesome.
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Pamela Kinnaird W, My granddaughter's dragged their quilts until a few years ago. Their teens now. Thank you for stopping by my hub, glad you liked it. Thanks, for the vote.
This is really inspiring, this hub you've written. I've only done a couple of very simple quilts. But two gorgeous twin-bed sized quilts -- actually smaller than that -- that my mom sewed for my daughter are now my granddaughter's favorite blankets. Until she was three years old, my granddaughter wouldn't even get out of bed without dragging one of the quilts along. Thirty-four years and those quilts are still giving comfort.
Your quilts are lovely. I'm going to watch your video now. Voting way up.
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Sally's Trove, Thank you so much for stopping by. How nice that you have a guilt that belonged to your great-grandmother. The old quilts are so beautiful.
Your quilts are so beautiful and such an awesome way to honor family.
My grandmother (long gone now) taught me how to patch pieces into a quilt cover. These were my first sewing lessons, learning how to make small stitches with a fine needle and thread and press the seams open, but I never learned the art of adding the batting and the backing and finishing a quilt with stitching.
Like Rebecca, I am gifted with a quilt from those days... one from my grandmother's mother, where all the stitching is as fine and strong as a spider's web.
Thank you so much for sharing. Yours is a beautiful tradition.
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vocalcoach, Thanks so much for stopping by glad you like the quilts. The best thing to do is go to a beginner's class if you would like to learn or find some one that would show you how to get started. Thank you for the vote.
I would love to learn how to quilt. The photos of your lovely quilts are marvelous. You have a magnificent family and the photo was great. My grandma used to quilt. I would watch her and wish that I could join in and learn how to make my own quilt. Voted up, useful, awesome and interesting!
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Peggy W, They did love the quilts. They are so simple to make if a person sews at all. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the vote.
What a wonderful and thoughtful gift you gave to the matriarchial members of your family. I'll just bet that they loved it, especially since it was a handmade gift from you to them. The ones you showed hanging out on that clothesline were beautiful! This may give other people an idea of making some for their loved ones. Up votes and sharing this!
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Pages-By-Patty, Thanks, for stopping by glad you liked the hub.
Awesome article as well as pictures and video. Quilting is definitely an art and the quilts themselves are masterpieces. Thanks for sharing!
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rebeccamealey, I also have a quilt my grandmother made and I'm just so glad I have it. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
What a great tradition to start! I have one quilt that my grandmother made, and I cherish it so! The lap quilt takes less time and still a great keepsake.
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grandmapearl, What a good idea. I love it. I like muslin. My grandmother always put muslin on the back of her quilts. I love the new beautiful designs and the great backings the quilters I know use but I would rather put muslin on the back. Your quilt would be a good idea for teenagers. Like an autograph book. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I love to make lap quilts because they go quickly and serve such a useful purpose. I'm glad to meet a fellow quilter! At one of our family reunions I took a lap quilt made in the rail fence pattern. One third of the 'rails' were plain muslin. The other rails were red and blue, since we have our reunion on the 4th of July every year. I also took permanent markers for writing on fabrics and had everyone sign a muslin rail. Then I gave it to my cousin who always hosts the reunion at her house. It was great fun to make and everyone appreciated the effort, especially my cousin! Great Hub! Voted Up and beautiful.
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Jackie Lynnley, Glad you liked it thanks so much for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing your family. So very warm and interesting.
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kashmir56, Thank you, I'm glad you like the hub and thanks so much for the vote.
Hi moonlake, love the idea of giving gifts at your family reunions,and the photos of all the quilts are so beautiful,well done.
Vote up and more !!!
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europewalker, Thank you, glad you like my hub. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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joaniebaby, That's a very good idea. Will have to remember that for next reunion. Thanks for stopping back by.
What a lovely hub and family tradition! The quilts are beautiful and they are great keepsakes. Awesome!
I forgot to mention that one year I brought plain quilt squares to our reunion and had everyone there sign a square. Then after going back home, I embroidered each of those names and made a small wall hanging as a remembrance of that year's reunion. This is currently hanging on the wall of our guest bedroom. The material I used to finish the quilt matches the bedspread and curtains in the room. Just a thought for you.
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joaniebaby, Love the Ozarks in Mo or Arkansas. I would have to count all of us but I believe we're at about 30 or more each reunion. We don't make it to all the reunions but we try, sometimes there's other things going on and hard to get away. Thank you so much for stopping by my hub.
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articlesking, Thank you, and thanks so much for dropping by my hub.
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Hyphenbird, Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate it. I love little quilts and even keep one on our bed up by my pillow just to throw over my shoulders rather then to have to pull up heavy blankets.
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Seeker7, Thank you, I so glad you stopped by and liked the hub and thank you for the vote.
Love all the quilting Hubs. I still do some quilting but not nearly as much as I used to. And your family reunions also interested me as our family tries to get together every three years. If we are all there, we number around 30. Our last reunion was in the Ozarks in Missouri.
Wow interesting and awesome article. Vote up.
Gifts like these will last and be treasured forever (I hope). I love to quilt but have not done it in a long time. My Mama was a beautiful quilter. I have some lovely patterns and will make at least one of these lap quilts next winter. I should be caught up here at home by then. You are an inspiration to me moonlake.
What beautiful quilts and an awesome idea for presents! I like the idea that you can adapt them for babies and young children as well. But I think most of all, what a beautiful way to show respect and love to members of your family!!
Voted up awesome + beautiful!!
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Millionaire Tips, I'm glad you like the hub. I always like blue and white. Thank you, for stopping by and leaving a comment.
What a great way to honor the members of your family by giving each one a quilt. I really like the idea of having a family reunion. My favorite is the blue and white one.
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ktrapp, Thank you, yes they were happy with the little quilts. It is a fun to go to the reunions. Everyone brings something to auction off and that goes into the pot for the next reunion.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
What beautiful treasures you created for your aunts and how thrilled they must have been to receive them. I also like your family tradition of honoring the matriarchs at your family reunions. It sounds like a very special event no matter the location.
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Arlene V. Poma, Thank you, glad you liked the hub. Quilts are really so easy once you get the hang of it. I made quilts just on my own when I was young. Later I went to some quilt glasses because I knew I needed to know some basic stuff I didn't know.
Thanks so much for stopping by I appreciate it and thank you for the vote.
VOTED UP, USEFUL, INTERESTING AND AWESOME! I love what people do when they design and make their handmade quilts. Is it because I'm not one to make quilts? Not skilled enough. What a great way to honor family! Those family photographs are just as precious!
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