Mourning Needlework has always fascinated me. I have been looking at several images of old silk embroidery from the 1800′s and I am inspired to try a quilt in the style of these old artworks. Some might find this a bit morbid but it is part of the history of needlework.
I am not the only one who has found the topic interesting. Teddy Pruett, certified AQS quilt appraiser and quilt artist, made a fabulous Mourning Quilt. See it here .
be sure to visit the gallery pages on her site to see some real quilt creativity.
I plan to do mine as a whole cloth quilt since that is my current obsession.
I have been looking at pictures of old cemeteries. I find them to be absolutely beautiful.
I am in the planning stage on this but I will post some pictures of what I come up with when I get going on it. Even when I am busy with half a dozen quilts I am always thinking about the next one.
I have a busy week with floral design classes to teach and a Michigan Floral Association Convention this weekend so I wont have a lot of quilting time but I will still get a few stitches done (It is a necessity!)
Happy Quilting
Tim
The monuments are breath taking. What skill to produce. I am looking forward to seeing what you do quiltwise..
they are so beautiful that I hope I can do them justice! It might take a few attempts
Awesome!!! You are a man after my own heart. I took pics of a monument in England several years ago. The one you show twice
of the angel draped over the stone reminds me of it. I always wanted to
do a quilt depicting that scene. Can’t wait to see what you do!!!!
thanks!! glad Im not alone in this!!
I, too, love the mourning needlework; I’m sure that Piecework Magazine ran an article about that subject several years ago, which I have somewhere in my craft room. I also have a book about the history of hair work in America, which is very interesting too. The hair of loved ones, living and dead, was woven into jewelry, wall decor, and other types of keepsakes. Good luck with this venture and please post pictures. Patsie
I have seen a few hairwork pictures….very interesting…and intricate work….I would love to find some in an antique store…im always on the look out for the unusual
Hi Tim
I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
I don’t know about the ‘stone angels’ as I am a big fan of the new Dr Who. Stone angels are deadly and scary. Dr Who was the first thing I thought of when I viewed your pictures …. Be careful.
I saw that episode of Dr Who…..so when I make the quilt I think it will appeal to 2 audiences….graveyard fans and Dr Who fans…? it was kinda scary to see those angels being so nasty
The timing on your post is interesting because just a few days ago I shared something on my blog related to this. I’m a rug hooker as well as a quilter, and a friend hooked a mourning rug that she let me photograph. You should stop over and take a look at it!
…..maybe I should give you my blog address, huh? LOL http://www.themiddlesister.blogspot.com dated Feb. 21, 2013
wow thanks for the link…that is amazing…I love it
I love genealogy, hence love cemeteries. The most beautiful statues I have seen are at Mt. Eliot cemetery in downtown Detroit. I paid homage to the loss of my son by putting the year on a quilt he would have loved
I have been to Mt Eliot years ago….some family graves there…what a beautiful tribute to add the date to a quilt…..quilts are things of love