Sewing is something I have enjoyed since I was a little girl. My mother loved to sew, knit, cross-stitch & needlepoint, and all three of my sisters are artistic and crafty. Over the years I have done lots of sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery. In 2001 I became interested in creating quilts with authentic vintage and antique prints, and began collecting the fabrics, which has become a sort of hobby in itself. I mostly make quilts to be used on beds (including crib and doll). It’s one of the things I love about quilts — they’re not only beautiful artwork, but also a practical household item. My favorite part of the quilt-making process is the handwork, including piecing, quilting and embroidery.
In addition to old fabric, I also collect vintage embroidery transfers, quilt patterns, and children’s books (mostly nursery rhymes, ABC and coloring books), which I sometimes use as patterns for my embroidered quilts.
Thanks for visiting.
Martha Dellasega Gray
All work copyright Martha Dellasega Gray, please do not repost without permission. Patterns are for personal use only.
Hi Martha,
I want to make the snowflake quilt, and printed out everything. I am wondering if you have instructions on how to cut out the border and scallops, other than what is described in the pdf I printed out. I can’t really see very well what it looks like in the picture of the woman holding it. I want to make it exactly like the original! Thanks so much for all your time put into this blog. Wonderful of you. Julie
this is a great site
Than you for sharing the patterns, etc. with us. I especially love the 1930 newpaper patterns. All the best for 2016!
I just found your blog and I’m in love. I like to do handwork and totally love doing mini quilts. I will be visiting often. Thanks for all the wonderful work you do on your blog.
Hi Martha,
We love your site. It’s so nostalgic and brings us lots of laughter and chats about our childhoods.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful images.
Susan
I just recently discovered your site as I am getting more involved with doing hand embroidery. I LOVE your posts! I especially liked the St. Teresa of Avila and Infant of Prague hand embroidery patterns you posted last week. They are so unique. I am a huge St. Teresa fan and plan on embroidering this to hang in my sewing room. Keep them coming!!!
Hi Martha, I stumbled upon your site today. What a great find it is. I love your vintage posts. Brings back so many happy memories of years gone by. Thank you for sharing. Love it!
Hi Martha,
I also just ran across your site. This is really GREAT! I am just a beginner at embroidery and these patterns should be just the thing so I can get some practice on perfecting my stitches. Thank you and I look forward to checking your site out in more detail.
Thank you for printing the peacock patterns & instructions!! I want to recreate a peacock on a denim shirt like the one my Granny made me
Question- how do I print the transfer pattern?
Dear Martha,thanks a lot for your time to make this site,I found many wonderful things from your articles.Also,I’m a beginner of quilting from China,Yes!CHINA!!
Hi Martha, from Down Under in Australia. I stumbled upon your blog whilst looking for a pattern for baby Bunting quilt which I just love…one for sale here but way out of my price range, anyway you mentioned that you got your pattern from a BHG pattern book from 1989, and would you believe I just bought this book on ebay from England for $14 and free shipping.. I am so happy!! I love old quilts and have collected some rescue ones from the U.S. as well as a couple in pretty good condition, one is a grandmothers Fan, quite old, very large and the most awesome hand quilting. I wish these quilts could talk! I has made me more aware of the importance of signing and dating the quilts I make. A friend in GA sent me a book a few years back, called Quilts from the Depression and I made Kansas Sunflower from it using only scrapsI had on hand and wa so proud of myself!!! I have also begun collecting vintage or feedsack fabrics for small repairs on my rescues. Thanks for such an interesting and inspiring site I will be sure to visit a lot. BTW I have a penpal who lives in Sequim WA.. I advertised for penpals in 1991 in Quilt magazine and Cyndi was one who replied, and we are still in touch after all these years… Happy New Year to you and yours.
Thank You for all Your amazingly wonderful posts