Thursday, November 8, 2012

Kitchen Quilts

Perhaps the fact that I grew up in a home where every penny was pinched is the reason I like to take care of the things I have.  I guess we always knew that once we got something nice we'd better take care of it, because it might be a long time, or never, before another could be bought to replace it.

So, even though the saleslady said the table had a tough finish on it, one that could withstand hot bowls and scratches, I still felt better to put some sort of protection under them, and a lot of the time that protection came in the form of a magazine which was close by.

When the December, 2001, issue of American Patchwork and Quilting came, there was an article about kitchen quilts, another name for the ordinary potholder.  To qualify as a kitchen quilt, a potholder had to have a flat fabric top -- whether whole cloth, pieced, appliqued, or embroidered -- be layered with batting and backing, and be quilted and bound.  One of these would look much better on the table than a magazine! 

 
Two appliqued kitchen quilts,
 
 
two pieced kitchen quilts (the one in front isn't quilted yet)
 
 
Now whether it's a bean pot,
 
 
or a tea pot, the table is protected from heat.  And they look much better than a magazine, don't you think?
 
These measure approximately nine inches square.
 
Charlotte
 
 
 


25 comments:

  1. kind of like mug rugs - it is always nice to have something pretty underneath items isn't it.

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  2. I need to get busy and make some of these. My old store-bought ones are getting worn and ugly. These are so pretty and such a good use of scraps.

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  3. Charlotte, I have never heard them referred to as kitchen quilts! I love that. I think I could make and quilt something that small. :)

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  4. They look as awesome as they are useful.

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  5. Love them Charlotte! I have several that my Mom made for me. She made a whole quilt of the little Sun Bonnet Sue squares for one of the great-grandchildren. It is just adorable.
    You are a lovely artist Charlotte.

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  6. What a clever way to dress up a table! They are almost too pretty to use, and I do like them much better than a magazine.

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  7. 33I have a number of small quilted pieces that my mother did for me.
    They become more precious as time goes by. I was raised just like you :)

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  8. Kitchen quilts - how clever! Yours are beautiful!

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  9. These are just beautiful. I grew up the same way. We didn't have much in material things but what we did have we learned to take care of them.. Hugs, Susie

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  10. Oh, I LOVE those!!!! I just might have to make some for my new kitchen. Won't want to scratch up a brand new countertop now would I? LOL

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  11. What a great name for pot holders! They're beautiful, Charlotte.

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  12. These are just perfect to give a kitchen a country feel! They are so cute!

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  13. These are wonderful, Charlotte!! And a great way to use up little pieces of fabric. I love the Sunbonnet appliques!

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  14. My gosh Charlotte I love these and as always I envy your talent. I know envy can be bad but in this case it's good, if that can be! LOL
    I was raised to appreciate what you have, it's just the way it should be in the first place don't you think?

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  15. Charlotte,
    I love these kitchen quilts. I've never heard them called that before, but sounds like a great description.
    I love these.
    I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  16. Just stopped back by to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  17. Funny thing, I just saw something like this made out of old jean pockets! Thought of you and how much more I like yours.

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  18. Your table quilts are very pretty! I had never heard them called that before! Our table is wood so I need some too! Nancy

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  19. lovely little things and great idea too!!
    I really enjoyed reading back through some of your older postings..BUT, found the one on your daddy's handmade baby bed wonderful!!!

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  20. Just dropped by to say hello and to see how your were. Have a great weekend!

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  21. Hope this finds you doing well. Have a great weekend.

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  22. You have such wonderful ideas for quilting. I like the Kitchen Quilts, they're so charming and handy too.
    :)

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  23. Hi Charlotte
    I was just thinking about you and wanted drop by and say Hello.
    I miss you. I hope you and your family are fine and busy getting ready for the holidays.
    Have a lovely week. :)

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