Mid way through the summer and here we are again with another update for the HQAL. When I got the reminder notice I had to really think, had I made progress? Yes, I have. I have made a conscious effort to quilt ‘Wishing You Good Will’ these last 3 weeks and while the progress seems slow, as said before, ‘slow and steady wins the race’ if this were a race. But something else happened in the last week before posting that I would like to share. Something that made me sit up, take notice and reflect about this quilt top I am working on.
Wishing You Good Will
In my last post I asked about the age of this quilt. I had some feed back on my thought that this may have dated in the 50’s. It was overshadowed by others thinking more like a 30’s – 40’s feel.
Another of my passions is genealogy, along with old vintage family photo’s ~ lost photo’s that I like to try and return to a family member. Whenever I come across a photo with some labeling I will purchase it and try to find its family. This week, that is exactly what happened. I had found this amazing photo at an antique store and got busy finding its home.
Brier Deming Family – wife Nancy with children and the gentleman labeled Uncle
I sent out 2 queries and heard back from one gentlemen who was connected with the family. His name is Gary and in the course of corresponding not only did we share a love for genealogy but I learned his wife, Donna, was a quilter, and an incredible quilter sharing with me some of her magnificent quilts. This photo share of her work led to me spotting a gorgeous double wedding ring quilt that hinted at a twin for ‘Wishing You Good Will’. Inquiring about it this is what I learned:
“Gary shared “the double wedding ring quilt was hand pieced by my great grandmother Eda Mae Vercoe, who was a very talented seamstress and quilter.” She was born in 1880. She had never finished this hand pieced top and it sat in a cedar chest for about 40 years. In 2005 Gary’s Mom gave the top to his wife Donna who did this exquisite job of hand quilting and finishing this beauty.
Eda Mae Vercoe’s Double Wedding Ring Quilt; quilted by her daughter-in-law Donna
The story does not stop there.
For Gary’s Mom’s 85th birthday in 2010, the quilt was given back to her completed as a gift. I can barely imagine the joy felt by all three of them in completing this circle of love.
What an incredible story!
It makes me wonder if this could have been a wedding quilt started by Eda either for herself or a daughter/son which was never completed?
On a last note for this post and getting back to the Deming Family photo that started this connection to Gary and Donna, this is what he shared with me in regards to the photo
“It might interest you to know that Nancy Deming (Brier’s wife), was the daughter of James Anderson O’Neil who was one of the men who were instrumental in having the US Government establish Oregon Territory at a time that it would have otherwise ended up being part of Canada! So, without James’ efforts, Oregon, Washington and part of Idaho would now be in Canada!”
Quilts not only connect us to the past but they connect us to friendships. ©
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Check out the others work that are doing the quilt along….
This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan, Nanette, Sassy , Edith, and Sharon
Here we are again with another three weeks for an update on progress. I had set aside Sundays for the day to work on ‘Good Will’ but I think I need to step up my game. 35 of these huge wedding rings to hand quilt. How many have I got done? 9 and you can do the math on how many more to go. Then I need to tackle the border and I haven’t even thought about that. I am rethinking my quilting strategy – my entire crafting strategy and division of time. Perhaps 2 hours a day on the 3 projects I have going might work better. In fact I am going to try that for this interval of 3 weeks. Since I am now retired that just might work. My 3 projects: A counted cross stitch, the stamped Monday – Sunday Tea Towel set and of course Good Will and lets not forget the beautiful tulip quilt patiently waiting her turn. I would love to give her some attention.
Piecing Life Together One Stitch At A Time 
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