Memory Keeper ~ Sew & Tell - 11/3/25

Welcome back to the Sew & Tell party at Melva Loves Scraps!  My party is open for quilters and crafters who want to share their projects... their progress or their celebrations of finishes.  

After being gone for a week, I was overwhelmed with the comments on the previous week's Sew & Tell as well as the Out of the Dark blog hop.  Everyone is so kind with your visits and comments... I apologize that I didn't respond.  Please know that I really do read each one!  And answer any questions you may have.  However, I am embarrassed to admit this past week I needed to get a fresh start and cleaned the inbox of email. That being said... let's look at this week's star.

Diann from Little Penguin Quilts with the progress of her 2025 RSC project.  

It is always interesting to watch as a project that starts with scraps and "no real plan" come together, and Diann's Quarter Star project is turning out to be lovely.  The transition in colors is magical and mesmerizing.  

I learned in my early quilting attempts that if your eyes move naturally across a quilt without stopping or getting stuck on a particular section, the balance is spot on.  Well done, Diann!

I was using this "skill" or "technique" as I placed units on the design wall for the memory quilts that I am making.  My client sent me a box of her mother's house dresses and selected two layouts.  Most of the clothing I received were very dark... darker than for my liking... but it is (they are) not mine.

Both quilt tops are ready for narrow borders.  They really need something lighter to frame them and finish them.  Fabric is on order...  I asked the customer what her mother's favorite color was because I wanted the backing to reflect her personality.  If I had guessed, I would have thought pink-ish/purple.  Good thing I asked... it was green. 💚I chose two pieces of Art Haus fabric from Connecting Threads, featuring green.

The above photo was taken in the studio... 

This second photo was outside. 

Truth be told... I didn't want to take the above quilt off of the design wall so I headed outside. ;)

The natural lighting really changes the look.  

I hope to grab some glamor shots outside when they are finished.

As I pieced these quilts, I listened to two books...  the book "The Story Keeper" by Lisa Wingate was an interesting story and held my attention.  I also listened to "Before We Were Yours"... again.  Both stories focused on family and the Family stories and histories (and secrets).  

My love for history, family stories and connections was the reason both of these books held my attention.  And they were the perfect accompaniment to these quilts that I have called "Memory Keeper I & II".  Through these quilts my HS classmate (and her family) will be able to wrap herself in the love of her Mom and recall memories of sitting with her, talking with her, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, maybe playing a game or two or watching television.

Whatever her memories may be... this quilt will help to keep the memories alive in her mind and heart.

As I wait for the fabric to arrive, I'll turn my attention back to the Little House quilt.  Another story that tells of family history!  I'll join the blocks together and get borders on it... maybe even get it sandwiched.  (That may be a stretch too far...)  I'll have to think about the quilting of it. I'm open to suggestions!

I'll have plenty of time to ponder the quilting design (maybe feathers?)... while we paint the small sheds and shop since we are supposed to have a few days with temperatures in the 70s. We've only been talking about the need to paint for 2 years.  Oh well... ;)

No color change... just a need to freshen up and protect the wood from deterioration - especially the shed next to the 5th wheel.

Gotta go...

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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