Thursday, November 11, 2010

Country Baby Quilts


Shortly after Hubby and I were married, I began thinking about babies. I always dreamed of having babies, but once we were married it was a dream I could finally wholeheartedly embrace.

Antique quilts were the first items I began to purchase in anticipation of becoming a Mom. I came across them in antique stores, sometimes referred to as 'doll quilts' due to their small size, and loved imagining our babies snuggled up inside them.

Of course, time passed without babies, so I stopped buying quilts, and put the others away for safe keeping. Now, five years later, I'm pregnant with two sweet little ones, and the quilts have found their home in the nursery.


This lavender trimmed quilt is 19" x 23". I just love the vintage fabrics and the sweet hand-stitched detail.


This quilt is 27" x 33". It's much more simply stated with a baby blue and red patch pattern. I love the little 'hand made' tag that is stitched inside.

I love thinking of the women who made these quilts. I have no doubt that they were made with great love and warmth for their children or grandchildren...or even just as an expression of the creative warmth inside them. It's a wonderful thought that makes them all the more beautiful to me.

62 comments :

  1. I love quilts and hand knit items in babies' rooms. There's something so nostalgic and well grounded about it. And peaceful.

    Those quilts are so pretty and sweet, I can't wait to see what the whole nursery will look like!

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  2. How very very sweet this post is ... there is nothing like that time before the baby/babies come when you are so full of hopes and dreams and plans. I , too, have a quilt, a small childs bed sized quilt of little girls with sun bonnets .. I have kept it and carried it with me all over the US and now in South America.
    When my son eventually becomes a father, the quilt will probably go to them .. for now, it remains here waiting .. ( in a box with some nice teddy bears lol)
    un beso to you and to the babies ..

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  3. Good Morning Trina,
    These tiny quilts are beautiful and I love that you recognize the amount of work that went into making them along with the love for who ever the recipient was. I have a baby Crazy Quilt that was made by my Great Grandmother and I love to think about her sitting and hand stitching that beautiful piece of artwork. Enjoy your quilts...it won't be long until they're put go loving use again. Take care.
    Maura

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  4. I'm so happy for you! And the fact that you're having 2 babies is just so wonderful; like all that waiting and longing payed off twofold!

    S
    xo

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  5. What beautiful quilts, and lovely sentiments.
    I have a family christening shawl made of the finest cream virgin wool and embroidered with silk and long silk tasseled edging - I was wrapped in it when I was christened and so was my daughter. I treasure it, and maybe one day it'll be used again :o) I'm sure your baby quilts will wrap your babies with as much love :o)

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  6. oh, you're going to have two very lucky little babies:). you're going to be an amazing mom:). the quilts are beautiful- i love that they're unique and no other baby will be wrapped in the same one.

    i hope you're feeling well and taking it easy!! can't wait to see nursery photos:).

    xoxo,

    blair

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  7. I love your sweet, little quilts. Can't wait to see the nursery - and, better yet, your precious little ones!
    ~Adrienne~

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  8. These quilts are just lovely. I'm sure they'll provide much comfort and warmth for your upcoming arrivals! My Mom has always been a quilter and I've grown up with homemade quilts on my bed. There is nothing like the texture of a worn in quilt and the beautiful vintage prints. If you enjoy sewing, you should take a look at the Aunt Grace line of reproduction vintage prints.

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  9. I know how you feel. I bought baby outfits and toys for my babies, and then had to wait when no babies came. Now I have 3 (well, my 8 and 4 year old can hardly be called babies now!)
    It is fun to think of the people who made the things we have. I always thought of the friends who made my baby quilts. And living in an 1850's house makes me often wonder who lived here before me and what life must have been like to them.
    Enjoying watching you journey through pregnancy!

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  10. Little works of art! I love them too!
    Oh the anticipation of a baby or two :) sooo sweet.

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  11. Trina: The quilts are lovely. A dear friend of mine's daughter gave birth to twins in February. This was after many years of infertility. Another dear friend made sweet quilts for them. Although not antique, they are very special in their nurseries in the 105-year old home they inhabit. Henry James and Anna Rose are now chubby little nine-month old darlings! Can't wait to see your two and their nursery.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  12. There is just something so special about old quilts! The fabrics feel so soft and the colors, even faded, seem so perfect. Babies and quilts, sound like a great match!

    Kat :)

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  13. I love your story about how you've finally made your dream of motherhood become a soon to be realised reality. Congratulations and the quilts are divine x

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  14. when I see old quilts I always imagine or wonder if the women who dedicated so much love and devotion and patience in doing them can see me from above...

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  15. I love quilts for babies. One of my favorite things that I did when my daughter was born was to pull out an old afghan that my great grandmother made for me when I was born and a quilt that was also made for me by an old family friend. They hang off the side of my little girl's crib and make me smile every time that I see them.

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  16. Soon these lovely quilts will be covering sweet little babies. How wonderful it will all be.

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  17. The quilts are beautiful. Can't wait to see the nursery come together.

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  18. Those are really lovely! I wished I'd thought ahead like that--vintage--it's got a special quality.

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  19. I know that I don't REALLY know you, but I am thrilled that you are a mommy to two sweet babies.


    You will be a wonderful mother and I can't wait to watch your babies grow through blogging!

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  20. Hi Trina! I love quilts and these are very beautiful! You have a very good taste... and you are an inspiration for me...

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  21. I am so glad that those beautiful quilts are going to be able to wrap around two cuddly bundles of love!

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  22. Quilts are so much more special than a regilar blanket you'd buy at the store. So much more unique!

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  23. Your home looks so beautiful - like a dream :)

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  24. Oh I just love baby quilts. I got my first one at a yard sale down our street. I think I paid 50 cents. I couldn't believe that the Mom was parting with it and the child's grandmother had made it! It now hangs in my bedroom and I will keep it forever. Kit

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  25. they are so beautiful trina - and so incredibly happy they are going to be in use very soon!! hope you're keeping well darl, jxxx

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  26. How blessed you are. God has a plan and its not always in our time. Im glad its time to bring out the quilts to wrap wonderful bundles in :)

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  27. Vintage baby quilts must be really something.

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  28. Beautiful quilts! I too love vintage bedding and handmade quilts. They have such personality and you can imagine so many different things about who made them.

    Congratulations on your little babies. Being able to share your life with them is such a blessing. :)

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  29. How wonderful that your beautiful quilts will once again comfort two new lovely babes. You're right, they do tell an amazing story of love, and also patience.

    So very excited for you.
    xMB

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  30. I love quilts....and yours are lovely! What wonderful vintage finds to wrap up your sweet babies in. ;) They will also look great in your armoire placed on your pretty shelves!

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  31. God has perfect timing. You are going to be the most wonderful mother. The house is finished and you are really ready now. What a special blessing two are!!! I love the quilts...simply charming as I know the nursery is too. Looking forward to seeing it. Rest Trina. We are all so excited for you and Mike.

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  32. So beautiful! I love the feed sack prints. It was my love of the reproduction feed sack prints that got me to start my company. I still try to use them in my clothes.

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  33. I just love your blog. I look forward to updates. I love love seeing your garden and decorating/home renovations. I live in a tiny NYC apt and just love living vicariously through you! btw...I share the spider plant fact that your mother wrote you with everyone now! :)

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  34. I can just hear the love in your voice, Trina! Not only for those adorable quilts, but for your little ones-to-be! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  35. I love your quilts, I have one that my Grandmother made for my first baby. That baby was named Sarah and she is now 35 years old with her own two children. I can still remember my Grandmother's smiling face when she gave me that prcious quilt. Memories are a wonderful thing!
    Congratulations on your two babies! God bless!

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  36. I adore that you are never one for the cookie cutter look dear Trina!
    Millie ^_^

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  37. I also love quilts, and I love the "doll quilts" as well. The babies will look beautiful swaddled in them. This year my husband's cousin made us a beautiful blueberry motif quilt, I'll let you know when it is posted, it's just lovely.

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  38. These are so precious Trina...when I saw them, with all of their bright and happy colors, I could just feel the sweet joy that was put into making them and could imagine how much your little ones are going to enjoy seeing them and using them everyday. The ladies who made them would be so comforted to know that they are being taken care of and most of all, that they will be used with care and love.

    We're so chilly now...I could use a pretty little quilt myself! I can't beleive you had snow...that was a surprise to me.
    Blessings as you get closer and closer...
    xoxo J~

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  39. those quilts could tell many stories at bedtime~
    cannot wait for your bundles to be swaddled in those!
    pve

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  40. So excited for you and your husband! I can't wait for the day that you get to used those precious quilts!! God Bless you! Carla

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  41. hi trina,

    i cannot wait much longer to see the nursery. you are KILLING me. but i will continue to be patient. these quilts are adorable. i hope you are still feeling well, try to stay as comfortable as possible.

    ~janet

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  42. What precious quilts to pass on to your little ones!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  43. Beautiful!

    Question, how do you launder vintage quilts?

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  44. So beautiful! I'll have to start looking for antique quilts before I have grandchildren. I never had anyone in our family who quilted, so I'll need to rely on the talent and creativity of others! Amazing colors and handiwork. Thanks for sharing! I might even blog about quilt books for children today. I think there's a good one by Patricia Polacco... :)

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  45. Hi Josette,

    We have a front loader so I wash them in that on the delicate cycle. They're so small that I hang to dry on a large wooden clothing rack.

    I have larger quilts from my Great Great Grandmother and I haven't been as brave to launder those yet. They're much more fragile so I would probably take them to a professional.

    Trina

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  46. Such a sweet post. It reminds me of how we women, and men, too, plan for things, like babies, in our lives long before they happen.

    Our daughter and son-in-law honored us all with a baby girl seven months ago. Bliss. Pure bliss. They live some 400 miles away, so, seeing our little darling is a bit of challenge; no spur of the moments stops, but, lost of baby time when we do see them. I digress, here, however, and am off topic. On one of my first solo drives up, I went to change her and there, above the changing table, was a beautiful, small quilt, that matched the decor of the room. I asked Katy and she told me it her father-in-law gave it to the baby. It had been from his great grandmother and he (I said he) even sewed a label and then sewed it onto the back. Tears came to my eyes when I heard the sweet provenance of the quilt, and they come to my eyes reading your post here today.

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  47. They're perfect Trina. Soft and gorgeous and made with love - just like your babies! Rachaelxx

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  48. I love these antique quilts as well. I recently posted about some that 'came to me' and grace different locations in our home. It must be that time of year that makes us want to cozy up and long for these nostalgic touches. I hope to complete a quilt I began when I was 17 (which, truth be told is hard to admit how very long ago that was). Thanks to two stitching groups that each meet once/month, I may just complete it to give to my daughter when she marries. Hopefully not TOO soon (: Enjoy!

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  49. Nothing quite gets my attention like quilts. These are beautiful. I've made many a quilt. They are sewn with love.
    Brenda

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  50. You inspired me with this post! You've got to get "Baby Days" :)

    http://goodbooksforyoungsouls.blogspot.com/2010/11/quilting-stories.html#comments

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  51. I have two handmade quilts from both of my grandparents that I adore!! The fabrics are worn and faded and washed. They need a bit of repair in a few spots. I have them packed away right now, but hope to get them out and use them. Maybe for my own baby someday.... ;-)
    ~michelle~

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  52. trina... quilts are the best... so cozy and colorful and so full of sentiment... congratulations on your babes... xoxo

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  53. Trina Dear, do tell us when is your due date? We are all waiting anxiously. :)

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  54. A quilter puts nothing other than great love, heart and soul into their projects. You're babies will be blessed many times over, from you ~ already a wonderful Mom ~ and all the love and energy from those sweet blankets that will comfort them.

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  55. Dianne,
    My official due date is December 23rd! But since we're having twins, they will most likely arrive several weeks earlier. So we're busy, busy, busy trying to make sure that everything is ready as we're getting very close!
    xoTrina

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  56. I've always adored
    handmade quilts. When
    my daughter was born,
    my grandmother was 80
    and had terrible arthritis
    in her hands. So, when
    I received a pink "sunbonnet
    quilt" in the mail from
    her shortly after E's
    arrival, I knew it was
    something to treasure.
    So happy for you.
    xx Suzanne

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  57. I love the nostalgia of gently used items. When my girls were little we would go to the antique stores and find real and play household items that they could play "house" with. I still have those things and I love the memories of our outings together when I look at them. I am so happy for you! You will be a good Mommy!

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  58. What a wonderful, stunning, heartwarming blog you have.

    It's a pleasure to meet you.

    Warm regards,
    Tish

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  59. The colors were so wild for the 30's and 40's quilts. They will look beautiful against white laces and ruffles. Take care of those two precious ones (and yourself, too). I know you must be feeling on top of the world. I absolutely love the clean, fresh look of your home!

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  60. I love the idea of collecting vintage baby quilts - they have so much character - stunning. I think I'm beginning now!

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  61. I found your blog through Homespun Heart. I'm happy I did--the baby quilts are beautiful and I'm so happy you will realize the dream of using them.

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  62. I love them too. I've got a few family ones and I use them all the time for our boys. Sometimes people say, "Oh you shouldn't use them - they're so precious!" But I figure, my grandmother made them for her kids and my mom used them with us... I'm sure another generation of kiddos won't ruin them.

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Thank you for leaving your thoughts. Kind regards, Catherine

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