The Life of Aunt Tillie's Quilts

     I've scoured the family and these are the quilts, made by Great Aunt Tillie, that still exist today.  As you can see some have survived better than others.  But all are loved and cherished.  If there are others out there I hope they surface. Hint Hint:  just a picture will do!  I don't expect anyone to part with an Aunt Tillie Quilt that they own.

  The Butterfly Quilt.  This appliqued quilt is on my bed and has been repaired several times.  When it absolutely must be laundered  I say a little prayer and hold my breath that all the butterflies will emerge as beautifully as they went in.

This pieced quilt is on my guest bed and I call it The Hexagon Wheel.   I don't know if the block has another, more formal name. Maybe I should research that.  It has held up very nicely.

This quilt was given to Aunt Tillie's granddaughter, my second cousin, Donna Lee.  She in turn passed it on to her son, my second-cousin-once-removed, Jason.

I could tell from the emails I exchanged with Jason that he appreciates the value and history of the quilt.  It has found a good home and seems to have held up well over the years. I don't remember seeing a block pattern like this in any of the books I've read.  I guess more research is needed. I will call it The Sun Burst.

           The Flower Quilt is a popular appliqued quilt in the family. Aunt Tillie made several of them.  This one belongs to my sister, Jean. My Mom and Dad had one too (but that's another story for another day).  Like the Butterfly Quilt, this one has not held up well at all.  It can't be used anymore. The best place for this quilt is under glass in a quilt case.

       When I look at which quilts have lasted and which have not, I notice that the pieced quilts have survived, but the appliqued quilts have not.  Aunt Tillie made ALL her quilts COMPLETELY by hand.  There isn't a machine stitch on them.  But alas, she did not turn the edges of the appliqued pieces.  So over the years the fabric has frayed and pulled away from the delicate, evenly spaced blanket-stitched edges.  That's OK, I love them all just the same.