Connie and I attended many quilt markets and festivals over the years and shopping was a highlight – some of my favorite things still displayed in my home today were purchased at these events.
In the mid 80’s Connie purchased a vest cut from an antique quilt – yes, it’s still a common practice although I have mixed feelings about it. This original quilt must have been fantastic but maybe it was worn out except for parts that were cut into vest pieces. We can only hope it wasn’t in good condition when someone decided it would make a nice vest.
Here is the vest when I borrowed it in 1987.
I asked Connie is she still had it (she gets rid of things quicker than I do) because I thought I might wear it at Christmas. As we looked it over again we agreed we always hated the binding so that’s what I’m working on tonight.
This is hand quilted with a very lumpy cotton batt. The fabric used for the binding is so unusual. It’s heavy and is actually fuzzy on the wrong side. What is it?
I’m carefully removing the binding hand stitching and then I’ll take out the small machine stitches. It will look so much better with a black print binding – or red?
Snow has started to fall here and I think we’re as ready as we can be. Tomorrow is a friend’s wedding and the reception/dance will be held at Duncan Dance Hall (a Czech community hall) located just two miles from me. I really hope I’ll be able to go – I’m not as brave as I was when I was younger.
I have a “problem situation” in the barn. Tim moved mfrom the woodshed to the barn – where Barney lives and Barney is about half the size of Tim. Remember the picture of Barney in his chair under the heat lamp? He was so happy there and now Tim tries to run him off so…. I moved Barney’s chair to the opposite end of the barn where I can shut him in at night and Tim can’t terrorize him.
It seems no matter how hard I try to keep them all comfortable and happy, there’s always somebody who doesn’t follow the rules.
So get this – Tim is ALWAYS in the barn – no matter when I go in yet tonight when we’ve already have two inches of snow and it’s blowing and I want him to be in where it’s safe and warm, he wasn’t there. Sigh.
I cannot find a response box for “No Picture” 11/29/25, so I will comment here.
You have put lots of time into removing the quilt vest binding, but it will be worth the effort.
Is that Mortie snuggled into a box? Three is looking out the window probably feeling very grateful to you Mary for the nice warm house.
We had 6” of snow yesterday. Today, we braved it and took our truck to run an errand. We were only out long enough to get gas and make a quick stop at DG. It was nice returning to our warm little house.
Thanks, Mary 🥰
Hello and Happy last day of November! I really like your quilt vest! I wonder if soaking it in the ‘Restore’ fabric additive would brighten up the colors a little bit!? I am thinking I’d like a red binding better but reds can bleed a bit unless you wash with color catchers! We got about 4” of snow here, about 12 miles south they had 7”. We watched a great old movie last night called “Windtalkers”. Quite a movie with Nicholas Cage. Hadn’t seen it before. Love the photos of Mortie, she is so photogenic. Stay warm everyone!
I can’t bear the idea of cutting up a quilt to make clothes! I have no problem at all piecing something to use in making clothing; but, handmade, vintage quilts. Just NO!! I have purchased what have been labeled “cutter quilts” that were really way beyond repair and cut them down, patched/restitched/repaired as needed and made a smaller quilt. Clothing just gets tossed/discarded with little or no thought when it is worn out, out of style, etc. . . . even clothing made from beautiful, old, handmade quiltsi
I am in Tennessee, so all my “hometown” friends and relatives in Iowa have been keeping me up to date on the snow conditions from where there are from Denison to Waterloo. Here in Tennessee, we are getting only cold. I still consider Iowa “Home, ” except for when the temps plummet and the snow falls. Then, I am very, very happy to NOT be there! Stay safe and inside, Mary, and make something pretty.
Marlene – I couldn’t agree more about cutting quilts for clothing!!
The vest would look great with black binding I think. We got back Friday night after a 14 hr drive, from our sons after a wonderful thanksgiving meal on Thursday. Too bad I forgot to make turkey sandwiches for our lunch. My most favourite thing to have the day after turkey dinner. We were lucky to only have dog on one pass. Home now to start decorating for Christmas. We may be hosting 22 at our place this year. I should be finding out soon. Otherwise my SIL will host, our house is better set up for a crowd like that and I don’t mind hosting. Stay safe in the snow everyone. We are having a break from the rain for a few days with temps of O Celsius or 32 F, the puddles freeze, but the rains will return Monday they say.
Should say “lucky to only have fog on one pass”. Silly auto correct.
My SIL’s family decided they will do something by themselves . So we will have less this year. I will be asking a friend and her husband if they want to come as well as 5 or 6 of my BIL family, my mom and my niece (who is like a daughter to me). So maybe 14 in total.
That brown binding might have been cut from a pair of brushed cotton pants. Bell bottom pants made of soft brushed cotton were popular in the 1970s. The vest will be much happier without it.
I’m glad you were able to move Barney’s chair, and hope that Tim is safely at his other place, wherever that is. Cats will be cats, but it’s hard on the people who care about them.
I like the Dove wrapper saying. It reminds me of another one: “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying anything new.”
Dot – great slogan! The brown binding just may have been brushed something – it’s awful and it’s quite heavy, too.
Gosh todays post is amazing and it was all pictures from just one day in the life of Mary! You can always find lots to share with us. Stay safe everyone.
Hazel & Morti make me smile! What a cute picture of those two! Morti like Hazel is so photogenic. Hope you’re able to get to that wedding reception & back home safely, Mary. Love the vest & like you I sure hope they didn’t cut up a perfectly good quilt to make the vest! I would choose to believe it was beyond repair & they used the best parts for the vest. We had a lovely Thanksgiving at my DIL’s brother’s home. They have a big kitchen & great room that can accommodate 25+ people. They have an older Golden that can turn on people or animals in a second! Last year it was it’s sibling. This year my DIL. Her glasses saved her, but damaged her glasses. My feelings are this dog should be put in their office while they have a group of people in their home! I wouldn’t take the chance of my dog biting someone! So far all my dogs have thought company came just to see them!! Ok end of rant! Except for that we had a great time. Love your greenhouse, it’s just so peaceful looking!
Alice – I feel sorry for the dog – it needs medication.
Medication yes, but not sure I would trust her when the home is filled with people. Someone is going to get hurt! My DIL is one of the sweetest animal lovers & they have both dogs & cats. This dog is old, I would say 13-14. I certainly won’t be petting her again!!
I like the idea of red for the binding if you have something that matches the red, but of course red is my favorite color.
We are getting snow here in Oskaloosa today. We had over 4″ overnight. Predicting 4 or 5 more inches today.
A good day to stay home and get some sewing done.
Frustrating. I wrote out what I thought was a nice comment. When I went to post said I was off-line. GRRRRR So I lost it.
Briefly, light snow overnight maybe 2-3 “. Someone turned up the volume as it’s really coming down now! No wind so far
Wow that’s a lot of plants to take care of! Love it!
Making clothing from quilts? Ah, NO! Quilts are quilts. However I have taken fabric and quilted it and made things.
Fran – strong wind from the east creating many drifts – even now we can’t get out due to a good sized drift in front of our gate. It’s a day to make soup and watch football – and sew!
Hazel and Mortie seem to be two of a kind!
Was expecting to see more snow when I woke up this morning.
Hope you can attend the wedding. Please be careful.
I made 2 Christmas runners yesterday that still need quilted. Then I’m making more placemats for Meals on Wheels. I would rather do something for someone else than myself. I have a lot of quilts…..
Stay safe my friend.
Your “green house” looks wonderful especially with the bonus geranium blooms! Your barn problem sounds like any home with kids…. “ that’s my chair…. I was sitting there… move!!” Ha! Then the mom has intervene and separate everyone!! 😜 hope you make it to the wedding reception… always a good time to catch up with friends and family!
Rosemary – boy, it’s not looking good this morning, is it?
Do your cats bother the plants? I have to keep mine either hanging or high enough so they can’t reach them. They are always trying to eat them!
Anna – actually , no the cats ignore the plants but Mortie wants to walk thru them making me very nervous! I’ve also caught her digging in the fiddle leaf fig. NO!!
Hope Tim shows up. Cats have very strong wills. Poor Barney.
Beautiful vest. I’m sure you will be pleased with new binding.
The Ohio State-Michigan game is expecting snow to slow things down. My friends have invited me over for the game. The Big Ten title is on the line. I watched a little of the Iowa -Nebraska game. Iowa looked strong!!!
On ISG ,people are cutting perfectly good wonderful quilts and making jackets out of them.. I see the trend but not liking it..
Maggey – yes, I’ve seen it, too, and hate it
I agree with Jean—that vest is the most beautiful I’ve seen too! A new binding will be nice and you’re the one to do it. Love that last photo of Mortie with her face and reflection framed by the basket handle.
Oohh will enjoy the vest “adventure” with you! It’s so intriguing what they used for binding – it kind of reminds me of old days when quilters used whatever fabric they had on hand. Thanks for sharing this unique project with us!
Love the Dove chocolate advice 😁 and Hazel and Mortie are just too cute! 🐶😺
Snow and cold here – I’m a winter gal so loving it! Makes decorating for Christmas more festive
I hope Tim came back. Could he be hiding somewhere but still in the barn?
I love that vest! One of the very best I’ve seen. The quilt must have been beautiful. Mortie is a precious little girl. She definitely came to the right place to live. I read that Iowa is in for some real snow. Hope all goes well for everyone at the farm.
Hi Mary, Morty is very photogenic! Looks like she is getting on with Hazel ok. We had our quilt guild Christmas meeting today, lots of lovely food to eat and plenty of donations to the food bank for Christmas. Over 180 Christmas stockings made for kids in hospital from fabric a recently deceased quilters stash! I hope you enjoy the wedding Mary, take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
Sweet kitties tonight. I’m not much of a cat person, so I get yours mixed up on who’s who. But, the pictures are sweet.
After dinner yesterday, I just sat and watched the leftovers be divided up, dishes scraped and loaded. Pots and pans soaked the washed. Being company in a 2 butt kitchen was wonderful!! No room for a third helper.
Have a great weekend. We’re expecting snow and cold too.
Ha! I always say I have a 1 butt kitchen and the “help” can just stack the dishes and do the honors with the left-overs at the end of the counter!
Mary, the vest is wonderful! Perfect for the holidays.
The snow started about 4pm yesterday and predictions are about 1″ per hour when it really gets going. Lots of holiday lights in the neighborhood and it is pretty with the snow.
Good advice. I agree. Hmm, I might need a bag of advice before Christmas!
Stay warm, everyone and travel safely. Kris in WI