Saturday, January 29, 2022

Introducing:: Pieces in the Garden - 2022 Sew Along

 

Welcome to the Pieces in the Garden Sew Along!

I am excited to be sharing another sew along event... my third.  If you have never joined me for a sew along, you will find that I design and create quilts that tell a story.  Grab a cup of tea and join me as I introduce myself and my Grandparents, Tressie and Forrest Teegarden...


My first sew along, Pieces from the Past, told the story of my paternal grandparents, Phillip & Katie Schleich, and how their lives cross paths with German men held as POWs at Camp Trinidad during WWII.


Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail told the story of Marion Sloan Russell who first travelled the trail at age 7, met and fell in love with her husband, Richard Russell.

Pieces in the Garden will tell the story of my maternal grandmother, Tressie Teegarden.  Given her married name, and her and Grandpa's love for tea, the fabric I will be using will reflect the flowers often found on vintage tea sets.  It will be a row quilt, because... well, gardens are planted in rows!  The blocks chosen are based on the story of a Bride-to-be and the many quilts she would have made as she waited for her special day...

In olden days, it was traditional for young girls to make a “Baker’s Dozen” (13) quilts by their wedding day.  The patterns, often handed down from generation to generation, were usually planned when the girl was very young; and, as soon as she could hold a needle, she would start sewing her first quilt.  The last (or 13th) quilt was the fanciest of all.  After a girl became engaged, she would invite her friends to a party to quilt the top of this “Bride’s Quilt”… and in this way she would announce her engagement.

The twelve patterns in this “Bride’s Quilt" have been chosen to tell the following story…

“Bride’s Quilt”

Once upon a time, there was a little girl, who wore a bow in her hair.  When she grew up, she began a friendship with a young bachelor.  As the hours and days passed, they began to look at each other with stars in their eyes, and as their love grew, they thought about taking steps to the altar.  So, the young girl got out her spools of thread and made clothes to get ready for their wedding ring day.

After they are married, some of their times together will be bright as noon and others will be dark as night.  But they will try to share their happiness, their miseries and their chores – she grabbing a wrench to help with household repairs and he grabbing a towel to help with the dishes.  Sometimes they will have broken dishes but they will try to remember that “things” can be replaced, whereas harsh words, possibly spoken about the broken dishes, could chip away love.  They will try to follow the Golden Rule as they are learning to communicate openly with each other.

They will also try to keep in mind the symbolism of Jacob’s ladder – “steps of communication” between themselves on earth and God in heaven.

Block sizes will vary, being either 3", 4" or 6" blocks.  Given the size of the pieces, this will be an excellent opportunity to work on the ever important "scant 1/4 inch" seams.  Pattern releases will happen every four weeks and the dates are as follows:

February 3 - Row 1 ~ Bow Block
March 3 - Row 2 ~ Friendship Star
March 31 - Row 3 ~ Bachelor Block
April 28 - Row 4 ~ Hours Block
May 26 - Row 5 ~ Stars Block
June 23 - Row 6~ Steps to the Altar Block
July 21 - Row 7
August 18 - Row 8
September 15 - Row 9
October 13 - Row 10
November 10 - Row 11
December 8 - Row 12

I will be using fabrics solely from my stash and scrap bins and will not be calculating fabric needs.  If you don't have much in the way of a scrap bin or stash, a pre-cut set of jelly roll strips or a layer cake set would be a great place to start since the pieces in the blocks are small.  I will, like my other sew alongs, have a linky party so that you have an opportunity to show off your finished blocks.  And I will have the chance to win a prize each month...  this time I am partnering with Cornerstone Tea Company.  Each month a randomly selected winner will be chosen to receive a 1 ounce package of loose leaf tea.  (Once again, US mailing address required.  My apologies to my international participants.)  

I am able to share the memories of Tressie (& Forrest) Teegarden from a set of books that I had gifted to them in 1998.  Their memories have become priceless to me.  The questions in these books were similar to the questions in the free Priceless Memories document I have available in my payhip store.  (The payhip store is the same place you can find all of the block patterns for my previous two sew along events.)

It is my hope that you may become inspired to document your life story for your loved ones... you may think "what does it matter?"  But trust me!  It will matter to those closest to you and they will be cherished for years to come.  I understand that family genealogy is not for everyone... But sharing your personal story of life is totally different.  Bring your stories to life!  

So, with that, before you go... 

Are you a tea lover?  
What is your favorite blend/brand/flavor?

I love Chai teas... hot or cold... with or with out cream... I haven't met one that I didn't like!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty
Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More
Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting
Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy
BOMS Away at Katie Mae Quilts
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate
Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts



23 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing. I love tea, and Chai is a favorite also.

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  2. Chai teas is tops for me followed by Earl Grey double Bergamot! Not today as it is zero outside! Love genealogy and this would be so fun to do! Tks

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  3. I love chair tea too but my favorite is Constant Comment. I look forward to the Sew Along. I'm not sure if I'll participate or not. Happy stitching!

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  4. I keep many different teas in my cupboard and switch as my mood changes. Bigelow seems to be my favorite brand. I love Chai, Earl Grey, Lady Grey and Perfectly Mint. My favorite lately is Constant Comment. I usually have two or three cups a day even in the summertime.

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  5. Another wonderful story and sew along - your sew alongs keep my interest because I can't wait for the next chapter. And the bonus is that this sounds like it will be a great scrap buster, which is one of my goals for 2022. I'm also going to investigate the Priceless Memories to gift to some family members to share their stories. I am an avid tea drinker (no coffee), and I have several favorites - chai, Earl Grey, and my friends often gift me with new looseleaf teas of different blends - Mango, Peach, etc. blended with black tea. Thanks for having another "story" sew along.

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  6. What a beautiful gift, story telling. I loved just reading your blog post. Favourite tea, Rooibos. With a slice of fresh lemon and a drop or two of honey. The quilt along sounds amazing. Have a wonderful day.

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  7. I love flower blocks. I'll have to think about doing this one. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  8. I am a fan of chai lattes and peppermint tea. I am looking forward to your stories and quilt blocks

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  9. This is going to be fun! I have several favorite teas….Early Grey for an afternoon pick me up while teaching, and Celestial Saesonings Apple Cinnamon for the evenings!

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  10. I got so excited when I saw your post on Instagram! What a perfect theme, and I love the sponsor you chose! Can't wait to get started!
    My favorite tea is Butterscotch Caramel Toffee Black Tea from Teaoli in Edmond, OK. I mostly enjoy it at night, since I drink coffee in the mornings. I've already perused the list of teas from Cornerstone, and the Chocolate Chai sounds fantastic!

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  11. What a fun way to document your families history! I look forward to reading all the cool stories you will share!!

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  12. I love black tea, with jasmin and violet petals. Almond is a lovely flavour too. These are my favorites for this winter ;)
    Have fun with the new BOM, I added it into my Complete List ;)
    Thanks for linking up!

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  13. This is a very appealing invitation to join your row by row. My husband is a gardener and may enjoy the result. I love coffee strong and black in the morning. In the afternoon a cup of tea hits the spot. My favorites are mint/peppermint or ginger lemon, both herbals. Thanks for reminder about family lore. I was entranced by your previous QALs.

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  14. Your story quilts are intriguing and special tributes. Love the covered wagon photo op! I'm sure this new venture is going to be just as special.

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  15. Oh how fabulous, a story quilt weaved around tea and flowers all in a row. My favourite tea....Melbourne Breakfast, always sipped from a pretty teacup. =)

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  16. Caffeine and the tannins in "normal" tea do not agree with me, so I only drink herbal tea. Even those called decafinated still have enough to be a bother. But herbals are truly lovely.

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  17. We are converts to Redbush, 'Rooibos' tea which is naturally caffeine free. It doesn't get stewed in the pot and can be drunk with milk which suits us!
    I hope you get a good response to the QAL. I'm sorry I won't be joining in this time but I will enjoy following along and reading your posts.

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  18. I have just found that I love hot tea. My daughter, Mandy introduced me to a number of teas while visiting this past January. I think that my favorites at this time are Chocolate Rooibos (from HEB in San Antonio) and Night Time by PUKKA. I am so excite to join with you on "Pieces in the Garden". I am so glad that I found your site.

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