Last year I received these beautiful antique butterfly blocks from a neighbor whose wife had passed away and I made a small wall hanging with some of them. The rest of the blocks were put in a box and my plan was to make a small quilt but I got busy with other projects. A couple days ago I was waiting for some fabric to get here so I could finish a rush project and decided that while I waited it would be a good time to start putting the butterfly blocks together.
I used a black solid for the sashing and a blue butterfly fabric that the family had for the border. Once I got started on it I was on a roll. Sometimes I find the hardest thing about a new project….is just getting started on it. Does that happen to you? 
I had to take a picture of my vintage 15-91 Singer sewing machine that I used to do all of the piecing and quilting. It makes a perfect picture with the antique blocks.
You can tell by looking at the fabrics that the blocks are quite old but beautiful. There are several stains on the blocks but to me that just seems to add a special touch to the quilt. What was the woman doing when she hand-stitched each of the blocks? 
I thought it would be neat to share closeups of some of the blocks. Look and the hand stitching…..beautiful!
There are several wonderful classes on Craftsy that teach hand embroidery. Today is the last day of the Mother’s Day Free Watchathon. If you have time today be sure and watch one as they are free today.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!
I use affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, when you make a purchase I may get a small commission. Your support is very appreciated. Thank you!
Download this free quilt pattern Twirly Petals
Kathleen Sullivan
Connie, I’m inspired by your finished quilt& the lovely handwork of an unknown maker. Would you share just her first name so I can name the butterfly I drafted after her?
Marcy
How fortunate for you to be on the receiving end of a labor of love. Black sashing really enhances the stitching. Who would have thought. Enjoy it.
soma @ whimsandfancies.com
Those blocks are beautiful, so glad you turned them into a beautiful quilt. Love the close up photos and the photo of the quilt with your vintage machine.
-Soma
Miriam
Connie, it’s beautiful! I would never have thought to use black, but it’s stunning and so perfect! I have a terrible time getting started on something new, especially if it’s a design-as-I-go or using a stack of blocks like yours or from a swap.
Joanne Bates
So many of your readers are lovin’ your butterfly quilt. You could try using toothpaste (non-whitening) or might bleach fabric. Put toothpaste on a wet clod rub onto stains and wash.
Vicki Terpstra
Happy Mother’s Day, Connie! Those butterflies are all so pretty.
I hope you had a great day and were totally spoiled.
Brenda
Happy Mother’s Day, Connie! That butterfly quilt is lovely and is such a treasure. Great job on it. I love applique! And being the procrastinator I am, getting started on a new project is the hardest part!!
Jocelyn Thurston
Too nice not to finish and what a job you did. Lovely meandering quilting, Connie.
tubakk
Your butterfly quilt is beautiful.
Sherry of createology
Connie Dear what a special gift you have received to complete this woman’s Labor of Butterfly Love Quilt for her family. Happy Mother’s Day Dear…xo
Carol S.
Those butterflies turned into a beautiful quilt! Happy Mother’s Day, Connie!
Joan
What a labor of love and a beautiful finish. Perfect for our upcoming season. Have a wonderful mothers day!
Brenda Ackerman
Happy Mothers Day Connie! You always amaze me at how quickly you can put a quilt together. It is almost like frame by frame. Hee-Hee-Hee. Over the years, I have gotten so much slower at my sewing. I love these blocks, they are beautiful and you did a magnificent job in making them into a great quilt. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day!
PattiK
A beautiful finish for the butterfly quilt! How wonderful to be able to complete blocks so dear to someone else. Happy Mother’s Day, also. Patti~
mary
That turned out so well. The butterflies really pop off the background and that border fabric is perfect. Great close up shots on the lovely hand stitching.
deb in sc
I think your quilt is beautiful and the quilting really makes it pop!!
Linda P
Thank you for creating this wonderful butterfly quilt.. I love it when people finish others work..and thank you for sharing with us.. great inspiration! Happy Mothers Day
Joyce Carter
The quilt is very beautiful Connie. I am totally in love with those fabrics. They are gorgeous!
Happy Mothers Day !
Pamela Arbour
That is beautiful. I think that is the prettiest butterfly quilt I have ever seen. The black really sets things off. You did a beautiful job.
Monica Kostak
What a beautiful quilt. A lot of love went into this and it will be truly treasured. Happy Mother’s Day to you Connie ! I should check out a few free classes on quilting at Craftsy. Wish I could learn to free motion Quilt I think many people are a natural —and I love the free motion around your butterflies. 😊
Pat S
That is a truly lovely quilt. Happy Mother’s Day, Connie.
Chris Smith
That quilt is beautiful Connie and the memories keep on living! I am very touched by that.
Happy Mothers Day to you!
Chris