WOW or WIP’s with Esther. This week has been completing my first memory block of my Mums using her treasures she had or made? I discovered Rhonda’s (CoxDort) lovely vintage quilts which she makes up as QAYG hexagons and thought that’s how I can solve my problem of very bulky seams if I sew these blocks together by machine, this way there will be NO bulk at all.
First completed QAYG Block for mums memory quilt to be? This block is the first block top left hand corner in lay out below so you can see how it started?
How I’m planning on laying out the blocks! Started this several years ago as a mail swap with 5 other ladies.
Thought this was going to be my sashings but it is too green so may use a cream instead ? Time will tell
How it grew?
This block was in the top left hand corner of the lay out above. This Centre circle of lace was used as a dress collar and would have been stitched lightly on to a dress neck when there was some thing special to attend, unpicked after and put away till another special occasion on another dress even. It must have been my Great grandmothers .
I want that collar to stand out and shine so added a piece of very fine lawn from a servette from around 1960!
Slowly appliqueing it all down here.
Adding glass beads and pearls and some ribbon roses.
Here I have quilted the rose it took 2 1/2 hrs each stitch is about 16th of an inch. I had to push the needle through then pull the thread right to the back and push it back up to the front each time. Those are Colonial knots beside the rose.
outlined the tulip in deep pink stem stitch, using green glass beads
This carnation was disappearing in to the background so highlighted it in stem stitch too.
Below I have started to make up Block 2?
Starting Block 2 First I choose my main piece this time it is a fine crochet doilie.
I keep playing and adding till I like a lay out of roughly the way I’d like it, I then remove all the top pieces then start Appliquéing the under neither pieces down first
Working at appliquéing down the back pieces now. Top left corner from an old hand embroidered hanky from China 1950’s, bottom left corner 1/2 a fine crocheted doilie, bottom right hand corner , corner of a grass linen servette. Centre pink silk from a kimono lining
will show you how I’m working these QAYG blocks ?
My block 3 to be!!! First I cut my fine backing 1/4 of an inch bigger than my finished front fabric which is a 11inchs sqaure of silk, Iv’e laid the backing on a piece of cotton batting
Cut the batting 1/2inch wider all round than the backing this gives plenty of room for movement. pin backing in place.
Turn over and lay your block in the centre of the cotton batting.
I cut my flange at 1inch wide fold in 1/2 and iron with a very hot steam iron.
Pin flange around the block make sure that flange fold is facing in to the block !!!
Block is now ready to be built on? First I will remove the basket and add some colour behind it? Hopefully I can show you how I add the final backing fabric and fold it to the front as a binding next week.
This morning I went to the beach and stopped and took some photo’s of trees in full bloom.
Sorry will add the beach and trees later my iPad battery is flat???
Update 8.30pm Wednesday.
Sitting by the ocean having a coffee this morning
Looking North
Looking South the beach in this cove is just over 1 kilometres so a nice walk.
Trees in full bloom I saw driving to the beach this morning . 
Off to link with Esther
Thank you for dropping in to visit I’ve had a wonderful week. Cheers Glenda.
Your memory blocks are so beautiful, what a treasure this will. The thought of sitting outside sipping coffee sounds wonderful. It’s cold here and we have snow! Have a lovely week.
Thank you Gretchen, I’m enjoying back doing embroidery again but still doing my love of patchwork too. These blocks are bring back endless memories through out my life with my mum. Temperature down on the coast was around 28C but sitting beside the beach this morning there was a strong breeze off the ocean and it was bliss sipping that coffee. I love this small beach and like to walk it at least once a week if I can. It’s only a 30 min drive from out home. Hugs Glenda
What wonderful memories!
Hi Pamela, this is a lovely way to save vintage fabrics like the Japanese treasures too. A great way to share with your Japanese friends as they can make small or big QAYG blocks in squares or hexagons. Cheers Glenda
what lovely use of the antique lace! beautiful. I love those photos of the ocean and can just feel the breeze!
Hi Karen was thinking of you when I was down at the beach, just going down to the beach for me is like been on holiday. I use to take my sewing down there years ago and just sit and hand sew, I must start doing it again now that I’m back driving. Hugs Glenda.
There are two places I love to live one is by the sea and the other in the mountains or high up??? Im so lucky to have both so close to where I live, I live on a range 1000feet above sea level but the coast is all most straight down from where we live, it takes 20 mins by car from our home to the sea and thats travelling only at 60 ks an hour as its a restricted zone all the way bar about 6ks and thats 80ks. ??? Im fortunate to be able to drive there again at the present time so I go once a week if I can now. I will wear my bathers next time and go for a swim as the water is so warm. Hugs Glenda
Dear Glenda
What an amazing way to pay tribute to your Mom’s beautiful treasures. By adding all your time and love to it, you are creating new heirlooms for the next generation. Love the photos of the beach and warm colours or the flowers. All we see is lots of snow here.
Hi Maggie, so sorry I missed seeing your message, it’s been a week full of activities with family all week from graduations, formals, birthdays and DGS going off to Bali for his school finals. This week looks dead quiet after last weeks LOL Of course this has meant that very little sewing was done this week, just been working on mums blocks when I could some times at 1am!!!!!! Bonus of only seeing snow for you is lots of indoor time for sewing. I have a friend who lives in Alaska and she has a studio with looms set up and her winter months are spent in there every day. How she copes with Cabin fever !!!!! Every where you drive around here at present are these beautiful trees in full bloom, the trees are just all flowers then the leaves come, colours from lilac, mauve, yellow, orange, red, it’s magnificent. My wee beach is beautiful to visit all year round this week I will wear my bathers and go in. What is very warm. Will think of you when I’m down there on Wednesday Hugs As Always.