A Surprise Gift Quilt Top

I was gifted a beautiful hand pieced quilt top a few months ago. It was a totally un expected surprise sent to me by the daughter of one of my closest friends, who passed away about 2 years ago. The quilt was actually pieced by her grandmother, Jane Ina Rogers nee Eyer. She had been going through some of her mothers things and found the quilt top and thought of me.

I just love the colors in this top. It will be some time before I get to this beauty but I wanted to share it with you and write a little bit about Jane.

Born Jennie Ina Eyer on 27 Dec. 1909 in Phoenix, Arizona, she changed her name to Jane because she hated Jennie. She was the first child of eight born to Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Eyer (1885 – 1948) and Florina (Florence) Knifton (1890 – 1981)

My grandfather was also named Benjamin Franklin. Growing up I didn’t think much about that but now I wish I had asked him what he thought about being named after ‘Benjamin’

I feel like I have a bit of old world quilting history in my hands. I knew Jane personally for many years, she was a remarkable woman. Not only a quilter, she was proficient in all kinds of hand work, embroidery, crochet, knitting. I don’t think there was anything she didn’t do. She had gifted me, back in the mid 80’s, this beautiful tumble block quilt (all hand done)

She also had made doll size puff or biscuit designed quilt (no picture) to my youngest daughter that she still has. It was done in all different colors of velvet with a delicate green lace border. We loved, love that sweet baby doll quilt.

Jane was a collector. Dolls and teddy bears are what stick in my memory. Entering her home was entering a world of wonder and magical fantasy. The bedrooms were converted into museum like show rooms. There was a bear room and multi doll rooms as well as crafting and all kinds of sewing treasures everywhere. She made their clothes, repaired the broken and displayed with pride all her treasures. In my younger years I ran a family day care and I will never forget taking a group of children to her home for a tour. In fact, with the memories flooding back I dug into the photo albums and found the one photo I remember taking.

My daughter Fawn in the red shirt, tallest in back, Marissa in jean jacket in front. Two sisters in pink and purple jacket and two sisters red beads and pinkish jacket next to Marissa in front.

I have been doing some digging on Ancestry about Jane for her granddaughter and came across a researcher who posted this photo of Janes mother, Florence. Jane looked remarkably like her mother. I am imagining that Jane learned everything she knew about quilting from Florence. Also interesting is that Jane was named Jennie after Florence’s mother, Jennie Knifton nee Wanless. I would imagine, that Jane knew she was named after her grandmother, but I don’t know.

Florence Agnes Eyer nee Knifton

I have had fun combining a bit of quilting/quilts with my love of genealogy. I am so grateful to have been gifted another treasure to pass on to my children and grands….

This is an edit to my original posting

Nanette of https://doitrightquilter.com asked me “how old was Jane when she passed” ?

Jennie (Jane) Rogers nee Eyer was born on 27 Dec. 1909 in Phoenix, Az and passed away on 6 Dec. 1996 in Yucca Valley, Ca. She was 87 years old.

May her memory be a blessing