Heirloom UFO

"Pink 9-Patches" Nettie B. Eichhorn
73" x 82 top (detail)

Going through a bag of old crochet, embroidered linens and other handwork, I came upon this sweet 9-Patch top. The rosy pink and and assortment of striped fabric blocks are 4" square and set with plain fine muslin squares and a 6" muslin border.

This was one of my Mom's collections of stuff, which may be from family members or maybe were just something she picked up in an antique store. Since I had sorted out the actual family quilts years ago, I figured this was something I might add to the vintage section of the sale room when QuiltFest opens Sept. 24.
I turned it to the back side and noticed that it was sewn with the most perfect hand stitches you could hope to see.

Then I heard the tell-tale crackle of a little slip of paper... and I knew this was another family treasure, carefully labeled by my Dad's mother. This is not the first time I have been thankful for her multitude of notes pinned or dropped inside an item!
It turns out this top was made by my great grandmother...but there's still a little mystery. The note has her name as "Nettie Brookover (Eichhorn)". Does that mean she made it before she was married? There is a wonderful quilt that she "made in her teens", so it's possible. 
She was born in 1873 and died in 1930. If you have seen my talk about Family Quilts, you may remember this one that she made...the quilting pattern is simple, but the stitches are exquisite:

"Double Wedding Ring" Nettie B. Eichhorn
84" square

So now I have yet another heirloom UFO! 
Do not bother to look for it on sale at QuiltFest. This one is staying at home!

I'm committed to hand quilting the LeMoyne Stars from my Mom's side of the family (and no, I have NOT started it yet!). I'll have to give this one some serious thought.
It's almost a shame to cover up those lovely stitches in the piecing!