Family Treasures

Do you enjoy or collect antique quilts?  Back in December when Sue was visiting her mother in Pennsylvania, her mom pulled out a family treasure that her sister (Sue's Aunt Gloria) had brought her to be passed on.  She had been keeping a crib quilt in her cedar chest for many years, and decided it was time to give it to the next generation. Aunt Gloria didn't have children of her own, so she decided it should go to a niece who is a quilter and would cherish it. 

The quilt was made by Sue's Great Aunt Ann (her maternal grandmother's sister).  According to Gloria,  Aunt Ann made the quilt in anticipation of children she might have.  As it turned out, she didn't have children after all, and so gifted it to her sister when Gloria was born. 

It was later passed on to Gloria, though she didn't have children either.  So it has been in storage for a while.  According to the information Gloria provided, it was made around 1893-1895 and given to her mother in 1934. 

After sharing the quilt, Sue's mom went to her bedroom and returned with another gift - a thimble that belonged to the same Aunt Ann.  If you look closely at the picture (or enlarge it) you can see engraved initials - ALU.  Sue's mom isn't able to sew any more, and thought it fitting that the quilt and thimble be together.  Fortunately, the thimble fits, and Sue has used it several times.  What a special gift, knowing you are the 3rd generation to use such a timeless treasure!

Do you have any sewing or quilting treasures passed on from previous generations?  We'd love to hear about them in the comments!