History of the Butterfly Quilts by Cheryl:

My Grandmother made the blocks that are in the center row of this quilt top and two that are along the foot-edge. The rest of the butterfly blocks were assembled from pieces that she had cut out in preparation for assembly.  The fabrics used for the butterflies are made using apparel from Minnie’s children and grandchildren. My mother had carefully saved the completed blocks and other pieces since my grandmother’s death in 1971.  Cheryl Ghanbari (the grandaughter), completed the unfinished blocks, including the embroidery and designed the quilt top.  She assembled this quilt top in 2014. Cheryl chose the batting and the backing.  The quilt was custom quilted using a long arm quilting machine by Debbie Thornton, Albuquerque, NM, in 2014. We know that Minnie completed about 200 butterfly blocks. We understand it was her intention to make eight quilts, one for each of the children of both of her daughters.  Each quilt was to have about 30 butterfly blocks. About 90 of the blocks are in quilts that belong to the family of my aunt.   The remaining blocks are in this quilt and three other queen size quilts that Cheryl designed and assembled.

I had so much fun with these quilts.  The background filler was an original design by me.  I am calling it Double Daisies.  Its supposed to reflect the flight path from flower to flower that the butterflies would travel.  I used a #50 wt white poly on top and a #60 wt thread in the bobbin to match the backings.  The first quilt was finished in time for Cheryl’s parents anniversary and is shown on their bed.   Note the piped binding!