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 Emilie and Simon Cozy Up On Quilt Set #6 "Earth Emma" | |
 On this quilt set, I've sewn some of the beautiful garment labels to the backs of the pillows. The backs of the pillows also match the backs of the quilts. |  #5 - Be Jeweled "Jewel Tones with Black" (queen with 3 pillows and rug) |
 The above picture shows that these quilt sets are reversible! You can see the quilt and pillow back on the left and the quilt and pillow front on the right. |  #6 - Earth Emma My Favorite, Rich Yellows and Browns. (queen with 3 pillows and rug) |
 This set has a larger rug than the others. I just couldn't stop! |  #7 - Blue On Blue Blues, Burgundies, Greens, Grays (queen with 3 pillows and rug) |
 My friend Sarah traded many hours of work for my help on this quilt set. |  #4 - Sarah's Fun Not For Sale |
 #5 - Be Jeweled Rug |  #6 - Earth Emma Rug |
 #7 - Blue On Blue Rug | |
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These quilt sets re-visit an age gone by when scraps and remnants were both valuable and beautiful. The quilt, pillow and braided rug sets I make are a blend of old fashioned necessity and willingness to work, and a new reverence for the ways of old. My mother inspired me decades ago with her thrift and sewing savvy to make these quilt sets and help revive and preserve a tradition of respect for resources. Sadly, our elders will take much of this valuable wisdom with them as they pass on. I feel the spirit of another generation constantly reminding me that progress is not always progress. Mom bought her fancy new electric sewing machine the year I was born. It was a 1959 'Singer 403 Special Slantomatic'. Who knew that 45 years later that same sewing machine would still be my partner in the production of these quilt sets made in her honor. My Mom is 84 today and still runs circles around me and she still quilts every day. My Dad is 87 and has finally put down his chain saw and helps Mom with her quilts to pass the time when he's not tinkering on the old farm. It took some maturing for me to understand and appreciate the deep and broad wisdom associated with common thrift. It is quite humbling in its' subtle magnitude. I gathered wool garments and yard goods from yard sales, thrift stores, and through word of mouth for 8 years before starting this project. There are no new materials used in these sets. My Mom had to gather every scrap from her sewing projects for her 13 children and husband for years before she had enough for a 'winter's worth' of quilts. The abundance and diversity of quality materials available to me today is overwhelming. Mom had to use everything and anything but I have an ample supply of the best wool ever made. The prep work alone is a daunting task but once it's all taken apart, washed, cut and sorted it is an unbelievable palette of color, texture and designs. The quilt practically designs itself! My Mom was too busy to worry about anything but speed and warmth in her day. The authentic look of her quilts reflects the efficient use of every scrap. "Each set is numbered, dated and signed by me on a corner of the back of the quilt. I hand embroider each set with this information. There will never, ever be another just like it. These quilt sets are built to last for generations! The construction is solid, the material is sturdy and the workmanship is without apology."
I would love to create a set in a color theme to match your own decor using my own abundant supply of fabric. It could be a seasonal quilt or just some one's favorite colors. I also take custom orders for separates. I can make any size quilt, pillow or rug. Even a room size rug in your colors if that is all you want. Or his and her rugs instead of just one to go with your quilt set. The number of pillows to go with each set can be up to you as well. I also envision creating quilt sets for some one with materials that have special meaning to them, hence the term "Memory Quilt". It's alway brought me great pleasure to look at the pieces of my own quilt that my Mom made for me 25 years ago and associate them with garments I've worn or that I've seen my Dad or others wear. Just imagine the stories your quilt set could tell! A set made from your ancestors old garments or garments that your children have outgrown would be very meaningful. All of my sets have many stories to tell. Just imagine the history behind some of the vintage fabrics in them. Pictured below is my old quilt that has kept this idea alive in my mind for all these years just waiting for the opportunity to make it happen. My 3 year old son Simon on the quilt gets the credit for helping me make the time for this. I stay home with Simon and hope to pay for his college with quilt money!
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 Quilt Set #3 |  Quilt Set #1 |
 Quilt Set #2 |  Quilt Set #2 |
 Quilt Set #2 |  Quilt Set #2 |
 Quilt Set #2 | |