Great Great Grandmother Applique

This is my great, great grandmothers applique block. My grandma had them stored away in her closet. She pulled them out one day to show me and I fell out of my chair. I was so thrilled! She had gobs of them. My great grandmother must have been stopped in mid design. She did this little girl applique and also a little boy applique. 

Two years ago, the Holden's had their Family Reunion. I was in charge of making the raffle quilt. I thought it would be great fun to make a quilt with our great great grandmothers swatches. She made at least 50 butterfly appliques. So it was easy to set these beautiful butterflies into a picture frame style quilt. It definitely was a hit, but most of all I felt such an   emotional attachment to the hands that began the quilt and our family. 

Applique

I have many techniques to learn, but that's what excites me about quilting. I'm not sure that I could ever feel complacent. I am amazed at the ideas others come up with. Each new style of quilting adds to my joy of accomplishment, and total awe of others.

I've started a very basic quilt for my little girl. I made-up a simple pattern, consisting of Fat Quarters and larger blocks of fabric. I plan to add embellishment this quilt by adding applique flowers and butterflies. To start out I found this website "Sew Momma Sew" . I thought it to be very helpful with tutorials.

This is a picture of her applique lesson.

I also love that it has great free patterns and covers over lapping appliques in lesson 2.