When I was a kid my aunts Rose and Frances would invite the family to Sunday dinner quite often. One of the things I remember very well is that in December there was always a Partridge and a Pear Tree decoration that Aunt Francis would hang in the living room. I have no Idea where she got it or how old it was but I do remember it being there every year.
So what does that have to do with quilts? A while ago I found this quilt kit on eBay and it reminds me so much of that plastic wall hanging Christmas decoration.
I can’t find a date on the package or any information about it but it sure looks 60′s to me. (7/3/12..I just was informed that this kit was featured in a 1971 Mccall’s needlework publication)
Original price was $16.00 and someone got it marked down to $7.99
It is not actually a partridge in a pear tree but I plan to make it into one. I won’t use all the applique pieces included and I will modify the bird to look more like a partridge.
There are a lot of different designs ornaments to be embroidered and appliqued
I will change these out and use pears. I think I will also add pears to the border.
I told myself a few years back that I would make a quilt for Christmas every year. This might be the one for this year.
I think with a fun backing fabric it will be great.
There is still plenty of time to change my mind…and I do have a lot of other projects to finish first!
Last time I posted about a top that is foundation pieced on old catalog pages. and I was thinking of how to save the pages and still use the top. I have not figured that out yet but I do have a use for old newspaper.
When I ripped out the carpeting in the bedroom that is now the office/junk/craft/sewing/catch-all room (no room for guests) I found that under the carpet was an old area rug worn down to nothing and under that was old linoleum and under that was newspaper. The newspaper was from the 30′s and there was a lot of it and it was in pretty good shape. I didn’t want to throw it out so it became wallpaper in that room.
I glued the paper to the wall using liquid starch and then covered with water based polyurethane . Always something to look at in that room.
Happy Quilting
Tim
Your posts are always so interesting, just like the walls in that room! Gives a nice neutral backdrop too to all of the creative things you no doubt have going on in there. Rock on!
Thanks Kristi
right now that room is in real need of a clean up! Ill let you read my walls if you do the organizing!
Sounds like a deal, but in reality I would be so fascinated with reading that no organizing would actually occur!!
I love old newspapers. What a great room to stay in.
they are fun to look at…so many things have changed, it is even fun to read the old ads and see how cheep things were
Talk about a Time Machine! What a neat idea, Tim. Amazing that those newspapers stayed so well preserved.
Thanks Karen
Those newspapers were apparently well protected under the linoleum …they are so fun to read
I love your Christmas quilt idea. The birds are extremely cute!
Thanks…I don’t know how long it will take so I might need to start work soon…im not the fastest appliquer in the world
Hi Tim, Rosie Warner’s website http://www.quiltkitid.com says that this kit was featured in “McCall’s Needlework & Crafts” Spring 1971.
thanks!
Hi – Love the idea of using the old papers on the wall. How fun!!
thanks Sandy…and it was also a good way to cover cracks in the old plaster..and best of all cheep!
[...] have an applique project that I started a while back (partridge in a pear tree). I started the applique and then set it aside for some other projects. I was sure that I would [...]
I love your inspiration Tim! Your quilts are wonderful. I keep saying I will make a Christmas quilt for my bed every year but it hasn’t happened yet. Hopefully next year. I love to hand piece and hand quilt. It’s very relaxing and time consuming but so worth it. Love your blog.
Thanks Catherine!
I have so much fun making a Christmas quilt…the hardest part is getting started!!