A TREASURE FROM THE TRUNK

Some years ago I wrote a memoir titled, "Trunk Tales." It was to be a Christmas gift for my children and grandchildren. Just that simple.  I had no idea at would become my best seller.

Here is a quote from the back of the book cover:

"Trunk Tales " is a collection of stories brought to mind by memorabilia found in an old trunk left unopened for over fifty years.  The photographs of family members long gone, receipts for crops, tax bills and the original deed to the old home place brought back memories that need to be preserved for future generations.  The basic facts are true with some embellishment for the readers' interest.  It is with pride and pleasure I share these treasures from the trunk.

There were some treasures that I had forgotten about until my sister presented them in a recent visit. They were quilt squares "pieced" (sewn) by hand many years ago.  Some were in surprisingly bright colors for that time, others in floral prints, on very thin fabric.  There were no two alike.  I suspect that is why they were never made into a quilt top.

My sister, who lives in Southern Maryland, had no trouble finding an Amish lady who knew fabric and threads well.  She studied each piece handling them a if they were made of the finest , the most delicate gossamer fabric.  She was fascinated and determined that they were from the mid 1800s. Looking back in our genealogy charts we have decided that our great-great grandmother Mildred Turner was the one who stitched the majority of them.  The stitching was the same on the majority of squares.  The stitches improved the more she put together.  I can imagine her sitting close to the fire on a winter's evening sewing by the light of a kerosene lamp.  Summer evenings were too busy with farm chores to take time piecing quilt squares.

As an added fact of interest, the thin fabric is why women wore petticoats.