Treasured Heirlooms

 Victorian Crazy Quilt Pillow
Many years ago.... when I loved to sew

A long, long time ago, probably over 20 years now ~ I really loved to sew. I remember asking for a sewing machine for my 10th birthday. I used to dream about what I could create with that new Singer Sewing Machine. One just like my mother's and my grandmother's. My mother insisted that within a year or two I  would be old enough to use her "Big Girl" sewing machine. I begged and begged but to no avail. My birthday came only for me to find a small envelope to open. My birthday present was tickets to the "Ice Capades". I didn't want to go to the Ice Capades I told my Mom, I wanted a sewing machine. Needless to say we went to the Ice Capades.

I'm sure you all know how the story goes. Mom was right. Within a year or two she taught me how to use her "Big Girl" sewing machine and that day was simply magical. My head was whirling with what I was going create with this wonderful machine with a pedal! Clothes, suits, blouses, pillows, sachets, yada yada yada.

Sewing was one of my favorite things to do as a child. Unfortunately the sewing machine thing wore off and I went onto to being an avid needlepointer. One year I went to a craft fair (probably about 25+ years ago now) and there was a booth filled to the brim with hand made, shabby chic pillows, furniture, home decor and jewelry. The booth was draped with lace and vintage fabrics. I just stood there transfixed. I wanted to take everything home with me. (You know those type of booths you see where you wish you had just won the lottery and you could buy EVERYTHING you see.)

This was lonnnnnnnnnng before Shabby Chic was a household word or considered a "Chic Style of Home Decor". I was immediately transfixed in this amazing world of beauty. I remember holding a Victorian Crazy Quilt pillow in my hands for about an hour. I couldn't put it down. I wanted it so badly, but the price was wayyyyyy out of range for my tiny pocketbook. Luckily the deciding factor not to my rent money for this lovely pillow was twofold; one it was created with dark colors and a black velvet backing (not quite my style) and two; I knew I could make one of my own if I put my mind to it. 

The minute I arrived home I feverishly dragged out tubs full of beautiful bits and pieces of antique lace and embroidered linens which I had been collecting for years. Using a pretty piece of linen as the backing, I trimmed and pinned the pieces into place and began to sew each piece into place by hand. To my surprise it worked up very quickly and soon it was complete.

Then onto a quilt I thought. Yes, a Queen-sized quilt for my bed. A good way into the project I realized my silly idea of having the patience to create a quilt large enough to cover my bed ~ all stitched by hand ~ was never going to happen. So I finished it up and made it into a large wall hanging. When I find it in the bottom of my Mother's hope chest I will post it for you to see.
 

My pillow has been sitting gently in my closet for awhile now, since I don't have a bit of space to put it anywhere in my tini, tiny house. I noticed it the other night and decided to share my vintage, Victorian Crazy Quilt pillow with all of you. I hope you enjoy it.

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