Scrappy Hummingbird Quilt

This quilt has a long history.  The pattern in called Hummingbird and I believe this one started its life in the 1930's.  Viola Stauffer or Stouffer of Rochelle, IL started the quilt and had cut almost enough pieces for the birds and part of the snowball shape that joins them together.  She started the hand piecing and had about 1/4 to 1/3 of the pieces made and set together.  I did not know Viola or the reason she did  not finish the quilt but she gave what she had finished and the rest of the material she had for it to her cousin Della Link. of Forreston, IL.  Della stored the UFO for years and then passed it on to her daughter Esther Mennenga in Oregon, IL.  Esther too kept the UFO for many years and in the hopes of making me a quilter she gave it to me several years ago.  

Esther is still very sharp for her 98 years and has just recently moved to a nursing home.  Wanting her to see that I truly cared for her and the gift I gathered a few more old fabrics and finished the top last winter.  Unable to find the time to hand quilt it Creative Designs in Oregon did a beautiful job with the long arm in a floral design.  I finished the binding last night and Esther is thrilled to see it and know it is finally out of the shoebox and will be used with love in my home always. 

P.S.  Esther's daughter just brought me another large shoebox of UFOs.