I have an iron stone saucer that belonged to my Grandpa Vanslyke (Van). Yep, it has a chip in it.
I have no clue when or how he came to own this common ironstone china. I have looked up J & G Meakin and discovered they were one of the largest pottery companies in England. They were located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent—the hub of the wider potteries area. This piece can be dated between 1891 and 1912 due to the addition of England to the stamp on the back.
All that history is interesting, but what makes it important to me is that every single time I use it, I think of my Grandpa Van. He would pour steaming hot coffee out of his mug into this saucer to let it cool and then drink from the saucer. Not sure why he did this, but to my teenage self, it was annoying. Now I just remember what an remarkable ordinary man he was. He only finished the eighth grade, but for many winters after the crops had been harvested he would return to school to read the school’s books and teacher’s personal books. He kept reading all his life and was a champion of education. He served on the school board for years during the depression and encouraged my mother to get her college degree in the late 1930’s.
My husband believes I should not use the saucer. He wants me to keep it safe for my children. I continue to use it. My children did not know my Grandpa. They don’t remember him reading Zane Grey books, or chewing tobacco or hoeing row after row of sweet potatoes. They don’t remember the angel food cakes we had on Christmas Day to celebrate his birthday. But I do remember this man who had a small part in shaping who I am. Therefore I will continue to use the saucer to hold carrot sticks or catch the spills when I carry my coffee cup out of the kitchen and I will remember him each time. And if it breaks, it breaks. One less thing for my children to decide the fate of.
Why did I tell you about the plain saucer that belonged to my Grandpa Van? Because I feel the same about quilts, especially quilts I made. If I gave you a quilt, use it. And perhaps think of me and all my quirks (even those I am not aware of having!). Use it and remember the event for which it was gifted. Was it for your first baby or a graduation? Did you really, really like it, and wasn’t just being polite- and I noticed and said, “here take it”. Pull it out on movie nights or make tents on the living room floor. Pile it on the bed when it is single digits out side or wrap it around your shoulders when you a suffering from a cold. And if you spill tea on it or the new puppy chews it, that adds history!
Of course, I am not advocating mistreating a quilt, but normal wear and tear tells me it is serving its purpose in life. Some the quilts we are gifted at Church are in pristine condition. These vintage quilts have been kept stored away and they do bring a good price. But some quilts come to us “well loved”. They are no less important. And most of them will continue to serve a “Quilty” purpose–on a porch swing in the spring and fall, made into a coat (very popular now) or perhaps an art project.
This is where my husband will tell me for the hundredth time to put labels on all my quilts. And he is right–labels on quilts let future owners know the when, who and why. We don’t put labels on the quilts we put in the Quilts Etc. Sale unless requested by the buyer. We do encourage new owners to record when the quilt was purchased and why.
Many Etsy shops have pre-printed labels that can ironed on or sewn in. Pre-printed cloth labels may to found in quilt shops or it can be as simple as writing on the binding with a permanent ink pen.
Enjoy your quilts. The quilts made from new or newer fabrics are strong and can take a lot of use. The family heirloom quilts need to be treated differently. But that is another blog post.
For the first time in months, we had no new projects brought to quilting this past Wednesday, therefore no new photos! But remember this one from last fall. It has been in the Valentine Showcase.
The quilt measures 35″ x 66″. The backing is a soft pink Minky. The custom machine quilting makes these pinwheels stand out. $100
This quilt like most of our quilts is just waiting to find a good home and to be used–it is very washable and the Minky is very cuddly.
I am going to go make a cup of tea and use my Grandpa Van’s saucer and wrap my Holly Quilt around me while I watch the Lincoln Lawyer. Enjoy!
Quilts, Etc. 