Show and Tell Friday: Aunt Dot’s bedspread

show-and-tell.jpg Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.“

Some of you know that I have lamented about not having any heirlooms passed down through the family. Well, a few months ago I was talking to my aunt on the phone, and she asked me if I would like to have a bedspread crocheted by my great Aunt Dorothy (or Dot), who was my mom’s namesake. Naturally I said yes, I’d love it. Then I forgot about it. But it arrived last Friday!

I tried to drape it fetchingly over the sofa, but it was too big and heavy to drape. 🙂

Aunt Dot's bedspread

I think it is at least a full sized bedspread, possibly a queen sized (I just took it out of the vacuum-sealed bag it was in tonight, and my husband is occupying our bed, so I don’t think I ought to toss it on to check the size just now. 🙂 ) It’s at least 30 years old, probably much older. My aunt said in the years since she has had it, she’s tossed it in the washer several times. I’m amazed at the great condition it is in.

I love to think of my great Aunt Dot crocheting this with her own hands and lovingly passing it down.

I do remember my Aunt Dot. She and her sister, my Aunt Ruth, were very close and I always seem to remember them as a pair. They always gave the nicest gifts when I was a child. I remember when I graduated from high school I felt awkward about sending an invitation because I hadn’t been in contact with them for a while and didn’t want it to seem like I was just sending a veiled request for a present — but when they didn’t get an announcement, they scolded. I don’t remember how long ago she passed away, though she passed on several years before Ruth.

I am not sure yet whether I will use this or keep it put away for a while. I’ve avoided solid light-colored things in home furnishings with three boys in the house (who am I kidding — I tend to stain things as much as anyone else…). And they’re old enough now that they don’t even come into our room much. I do need a new bedspread, and I can just picture this with something pink underneath peeking through. I do have a quilt rack someone gave us which is stored in the attic because we didn’t have anything to put on it. I’ll have to mull that over. But I am very glad to have this in itself, but especially because it is a connection to my past.

36 thoughts on “Show and Tell Friday: Aunt Dot’s bedspread

  1. Hi Barbara,
    Wow, I’m first! I’m usually late on Kelli’s Show & Tell, because of Friday in Australia being Thursday in the USA. So I think, I’ll wait until Saturday when it is Friday over there, and of course on Saturday I forget! Now I’m off the topic…
    That crocheted bedspread is so beautiful – if that is your only family heirloom, consider yourself very fortunate! I don’t know that I’d be tossing it in the washing machine very often though. The first few times might not have harmed it, but after a while it might stretch out of shape. Do show it off somewhere – your bed would be ideal (surely your sons wouldn’t go in there and jump on it?)

  2. What a treasure you have! It looks so cozy and warm! Great to wrap up in on a very cold night with a good book! Thanks so much for sharing your Show & Tell!
    ~ Audrey ~

  3. That is a beautiful spread. I can’t imagine someone sitting and being patient enough to create it but I’m glad that they do. Enjoy your treasure…

  4. That truly is a gorgeous treasure. I think what is so neat about something like that is that you have the creators heart and soul intertwined in that yarn. You can feel the love.

    Take care,
    Connie

  5. Your spread is absolutely beautiful – and I understand perfectly about having boys (and about staining things myself!!). Would it stretch it out too much if it was hung on a quilt rack?

  6. I am so happy for you that you were sent this lovely heirloom. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I do hope you use it either as a bedspread or shown on the quilt rack. Be sure and post us a picture, on Show & Tell, when you decide and put it out.
    Susan

  7. Oh Barbara it is beautiful! What an absolutely lovely treasure for you!! Could you imagine how long it took to do that?

    You must update us with what size it actually is.

    Blessings on you.

  8. It is beautiful–I would want it out—I think the quilt rack is a perfect idea, while your boys are young and when they get older you could put it on your bed with the pink:)

    Julieann

  9. That is beautfiul. I can’t even imagine how many hours went into crocheting that bedspread.

    So glad you have that beautiful heirloom!

  10. It is fabulous and beautiful! It would make a lovely and elegant cover for your bed! I hope you will get to use it so you can enjoy it every day. I wish I had one just like it!

  11. What a beautiful crocheted blanket. It is a treasure indeed.
    I have a crocheted blanket from each of my grandmas too.

  12. I love the bed spread. I think we all have an Aunt Dot, lol. Thanks for stopping by my blog and thanks for sharing.
    Kitty

  13. Aunt Dot’s bedspread is much too pretty to be kept packed away. I like your idea with something pink underneath.

  14. Such a beautiful heirloom to have passed on to you! It would be a shame to put it away so either using it as your bedspread or draping it over the quilt rack would be great:-) xo

  15. that is really pretty … i would say if you have something in olive green and some dark orange some colors would compliment it as well it would look very very nice on your coaches!!! keep it safe

  16. This is a beautiful family treasure! I’m so glad it was passed onto you. It will always remind you of your great aunt. Her crocheting is just wonderful. I don’t know if I would ever have the patience to make one that big. I know you will enjoy it.

  17. This is very cool! I love heirlooms and something like this is just perfect! You can keep it to pass on but you can also use it. Love it!

  18. Barbara,
    I did have roosters. BUT, I changed my mind. (I do that frequesntly and it drives my hubby crazy. LOL)
    Sorry to confuse you…

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  20. hey how wonderful to have such a lovely item to be passed down to you

    if you ever have to wash it again make sure its on a gental hand wash cycle in a front loader with wool wash as these things are to priceless to ruin even though its already been through the machine not worth the risk.

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