Sunday, May 15, 2011

Airing the Quilts - Part 2

Here are the better pictures -- the ones I found in a forgotten scrapbook. 

The quilter -- whose name I either never got or failed to remember, was quite shy and posed for her picture a little reluctantly.
I would have loved to have gotten to know her but though she answered my questions about the quilts, I could tell she was a little puzzled about my intentions.

And though she didn't live much more that four or five miles from me, when I mentioned the names of some of my neighbors, she'd never heard of them. 

But, oh, my, what a treasure trove of quilts!
I wish I knew where they ended up.

With someone who appreciates all the work that went into them, I hope.
But here's to you,  Miss Lady in the stone house and your quilts -- you made my day all those years ago.
Gone, but not forgotten.
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20 comments:

Reader Wil said...

This is a kind of art that is getting more and more the attention it deserves. Was this lady somebody who inspired you to write " Art's Blood"? The quilts are beautiful!

Callie Brady said...

Thank you so much for posting the photos of the quilts. I am going to come back and spend some time studying them. What a treasure just to have the photos.

Unknown said...

How amazing..all that stitching into wonderful quilts. I love her shyness.. what a story. Thank you for sharing .

Brian Miller said...

love all the different patterns...what a treat...this is really cool art for sure

Anonymous said...

So beautiful to seee. In a way, you have saved the quilts for all of us.

Deana the queena

Vicki Lane said...

Wil -- I'd been interested in quilts ( and making them too) for quite a few years before I met this lady. But as I indicated on Part 1 of this post, Miss Lady in the stone house contributed, in a way to several of my books.

Thank you, Deana! I just wish I had her name. I'll see if I can find it out.

BB said...

I wonder how many hours it took to make all those? Countless hours.

Christine said...

Those beautiul quilts are definitely a treasure. Hope whoever they eventually went to appreciated them. Glad you shared this with us Vicki!

chiccoreal said...

Dear Vicki: Strange Quilting Lady! Like Crazy Cat Ladies..and other eccentrics; I guess she was too busy being wrapped up in her quilts; making them, airing them, talking to them to give most the time of day; especially chatting with her neighbours! Sounds like some form of autism or aging disease; perhaps rocky mountain fever! (I have that today!) Some lead lonely lives but can, within their loneliness produce something of beauty (your photos are beautiful!).How some get to be so involved, so intense at something which means more to them than being neigbourly I'll never know but knowing personalities are unique and since her quilts are so lovely, and being a quilt-lover; she's ok in my books!

Stella Jones said...

Wonderful quilts and a very shy lady. So that's how you clean them? In the open air? I think I've missed a couple of your posts so I'm now working backwards, LOL.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Such wonderful works of art! Real treasures! I too was wondering if this was the inspiration for "Art's Blood?" Have a wonderful week! Cathy

NCmountainwoman said...

A treasure trove indeed. They are all beautiful. I cherish the quilts my aunts made for my wedding gifts. I do so admire the lovely patterns and the work that is involved in making each quilt.

Vicki Lane said...

Star -- some of the older quilts with cotton batting are really hard to wash and folks just 'aired' them. A newer quilt can usually go through a washer on gentle and a dryer on low without any damage.

maría cecilia said...

Miss Lady only conciouss of her own beautiful work I think, her world is only quilting... perhaps she doesn´t know even about what´s going on in the world... perhaps she has one of your books in her night stand don´t you think so??
hugs my dear Vicki

Desiree said...

What a creative soul! Obviously a little reclusive, so all of her passion went into her quilts. I'll bet they could each tell a story were they able to ;)

Nancy M. said...

Vicki, these pictures are wonderful. I remember when the Brigmans lived in the "stone house" when Sanky (that's the only name I knew for him) owned the store where the apartments are now. Lots of history!!!

Deanna said...

Beautiful quilts. The quilting lady really does look very shy. I can picture her sitting in her little house all alone,hour after hour, stitching those beautiful quilts - not giving a thought to what a treasure she was creating. Or if they were handed down, I wonder if she saw them as a part of history or just a cover.

phyllis w. said...

I asked the folks, and they said maybe Omie Roberts. And yes, she probably rented from the Brigmans. I can remember seeing a lady in a "headrag" outside that house when I was a kid on the school bus. Loved seeing the old school in the background.

Vicki Lane said...

Thank you, Phyllis! I'll bet that's right. We'll see if Nancy M's sources agree. But the name has a familiar sound.

Tipper said...

Loved both posts about the quilt lady-she was sure talented. And I'm so glad she's not forgotten too : )