Thursday, May 19, 2011

PATCHWORK BLANKETS STIR FOND MEMORIES

Thinking about patchwork blankets brought back memory of an incident some years ago that we still look back from time to time with some sadness and regret.
        We were selling our patchwork blankets at a public event outside the National Museum when a young lady was drawn to a particular blanket we were showing off. It was, to us, the least attractive of the blankets we had. But the young lady wanted it, telling us that it reminded her of her grandmother. Unfortunately, she didn't have enough cash with her and there was no ATM nearby.
        As she was contemplating what to do while clutching one end of the blanket, other customers were pressing forward to look at our blankets. A man then offered to buy the blanket we were holding. Not wanting to miss the chance to sell off that 'unattractive' blanket, we decided to let him have it. We told the young lady to get in touch with us, assuring her we would get our elderly to make her a much nicer blanket.
        Sadly we never heard from her after that.
        Looking back, we realised why the young lady never contacted us. That particular blanket that she wanted must have looked very much like the one her grandmother made for her when she was a child. And when she saw it, it must have connected her instantly to her childhood and memories of her loving grandma. No other blanket, no matter how pretty, would have meant the same for her.
        If only we had been more enlightened then, we would have let the young lady take the blanket first and pay us another day. To this day, we cannot forget the dejected look on her face as the blanket, which likely held much memories for her, was sold to someone else.


P.S. If by any chance you are the young lady in the story who is reading this, please get in touch with us.


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This being the month that MOTHER'S DAY is celebrated, it seems only right that we showcase our PATCHWORK BLANKETS ~ the one thing that often stirs fond memories of mothers and grandmothers. Our patchwork blankets are made by different elderly in their own unique style, hence the different designs you see below. In almost all cases, we supply the fabrics so that the elderly do not have to incur any expenses. They make the blankets at home at their own time, own pace, with absolutely no target to worry about. They are paid for the blankets they made and the amount is equivalent to 80 to 90 percent of the profit. Our aim is to just make enough to be sustainable and let our elderly earn most of the profit.


What you see below are just some of our current patchwork blankets. Every time a new blanket is made it has a different combination of fabric patterns and colours even though the style may be the same.


MDM ONG'S PATCHWORK BLANKETS

Mdm Ong's style is characterised by small triangles forming the square blocks that form the blanket. There are 32 small triangles in each 11x11-inch square block. That's a lot of work compared to the more straightforward patchwork which has only 8 triangles per square block.

Regular blanket sizes include Baby sizes (33x33ins, 44x33ins, and 44x44ins priced at $40, $48 and $55 respectively) and Adult sizes (77x55ins, 77x66ins, 77x77ins priced at $115, $125 and $140 respectively). We can also custom make other sizes.

Mdm Ong's popular patchwork has 32 small triangles in every
square block. A queen size blanket is therefore made up of 1,344
small triangles. That's an incredible amount of work involved.


MDM MOK'S PATCHWORK BLANKETS

Mdm Mok's patchwork consists of star-shaped patterns set against a background of small square fabrics. There are blankets made entirely of checked fabrics suitable for boys and those made wholly of floral fabrics. Each square block is 12x12 inches, thus making her blankets relatively larger than other blankets.

The regular sizes include Baby sizes (36x36ins and 48x48ins priced at $40 and $55), and Adult sizes (84x60ins and 84x72ins priced at $115 and $125). We can also make other sizes.

Mdm Mok's checked patchwork popular for boys.
Floral patchwork blanket with black foral-star patterns set
against a background of square floral fabrics.


MDM ANG'S PATCHWORK BLANKETS

Mdm Ang's adult patchwork blankets come in two styles. One style consists of hexagon patterns while the other style has windmill patterns.

The adult sizes are roughly the size of a queen-size mattress and cost $115 for the hexagon pattern and $100 for the windmill pattern. The child-size patchwork blanket (roughly about half of a queen-size mattress) is done in a slightly different style and costs $55.

Mdm Ang's adult size patchwork blankets with hexagon patterns (left)
and windmill patterns.
Mdm Ang's child-size patchwork blankets with cartoon fabric
patterns (left) and with floral fabric patterns.


MDM KUM'S PATCHWORK BLANKETS

Mdm Kum's patchwork blankets are formed from numerous tiny squares of different patterns and colours. The tiny squares have to be neatly sewn together so that the blanket maintains its rectangular shape when completed.

The Adult blanket is approx 70x60ins and costs $110 while the Baby-size blanket is $48. Other sizes can also be made.

Mdm Kum's patchwork formed from numerous tiny square fabrics of
different colours and patterns.



DANNY'S GRANDMA'S PATCHWORK BLANKETS

A friend's granny, who is in her 90s, make this unique style of patchwork blankets with a distinctive pattern of red stars. It is available only in one size (slightly broader than the queen-size mattress) and has either red or blue checked fabric for the border and back. Price is $110.

Danny's grandma's patchwork with it's distinctive red-star patterns.
Different coloured fabric patterns are used for different blankets.

NOTE: The best place to view and buy our patchwork blankets is at the PaTH Market at VivoCity, held every first and last weekend (Sat & Sun) of the month, from 11am to 10pm, at Level 1, around Lobby A to C area. We can also visit your home to show you our blankets for you to choose and purchase at no extra charge. Contact us here.


Here's a fitting song tribute to all mothers to end this post.

5 comments:

  1. The blankets are goregous... love them alot!!!

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  2. nice patchworks... will head down to Vivo and check it out!

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  3. Thanks for kind comments. I'm still struggling to get the hang of how this thing works; hence the delay in responding to comments. Yes, the PaTH Market at VivoCity is the best place to view our patchwork blankets. It's held every first weekend (Sat & Sun) and last weekend of the month from 11am to 10pm, Level 1, around Lobby A-C area. This December, the market will be held every weekend before Christmas and everyday from 17-24 December. ~ George

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  4. Hi. I would like to purchase a blanket for adults. Please advise on the range and prices. Thank you

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joanne, glad to hear from you. Our patchwork blankets now are quite different from what you see in this post. We are using far better quality and nicer fabrics and our patterns are also different. For adults, we have 3 sizes which we describe as follows:
      1) Single adult size = approx 69 x 58ins * $140
      2) Super single size = approx 80 x 55ins * $155
      3) Queen size = approx 80 x 69ins * $180
      Please let me know which size you prefer and I'll take pictures of them to email you after next wed as I'm overseas now. Look forward to your reply. You can email me at georgewong@teddythotz.com.

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