It seemed like just an ordinary day. Ok, maybe it’s your birthday. Heck, maybe it’s only Thursday. In any case, this unexpected….package…shows up at your door. You didn’t order anything.
You suspiciously eye the layer of packing tape that has encrusted what you’re pretty sure was once a cardboard box. Being ever so careful, you saw through it with the nearest razor blade, and little by little, the mystery–and the gift–starts to unfold.
It’s something made of fabric.
Hot pink and zebra print fabric, to be exact. It’s not awful–at least, it wouldn’t be if you were a 12-year-old girl….other than, perhaps, yourself at twelve years old…
As you pull it out of the packaging, you realize….someone has given you a quilt.
You don’t understand. How did this happen? WHY did this happen? And what could possibly be an appropriate response?
Chances are, you are the loved one of a creative person. Many people might receive such a gift from an aunt or grandmother, or in some cases a distant cousin or friend. (If the gifter was your Mother, I certainly hope this doesn’t need to be explained to you.)
In any case, what you have received, whether it is spot-on, or a million miles away from being, exactly, “you,” is a gift of love. It may not feel like it right now, but allow me to explain.
Today, quilting is big–among quilters. Everyone else is in varying strata around the quilters, ranging in levels of understanding from “I totally get it!” to….”So….why on earth would you cut fabric apart and….and…and….sew it back together?” Like many creative endeavors, but maybe in some ways, more so–quilting quickly becomes an obsession. Almost an addiction. It’s visual, it’s tactile, and it’s a way to create things–lots of them–all different, all with your own personal stamp, and all over the country and world. It’s hard to explain if you’re not involved. But, once you’re a quilter, it’s all you want to do.
So, let’s tie this affront to your eyeballs back to where it came from.
First, the quilter has an innate desire–a NEED–to create, and spends plenty of time doing it. She also does not have unlimited storage space where she can hang onto her work for the rest of her natural life. That said, a quilt takes a good amount of time and monetary investment to create. You were chosen as a recipient NOT because you “didn’t have one yet.” If you have received a handmade gift from its maker, you are very special to that person, and are considered worthy of such an investment of time. Most quilters know and love a lot more people than they ever have the resources to make a gift for–even in their lifetimes. Often, they do this kind of work for hire, which limits their “recreational quilting” even further.
“Seriously though….can you at least explain the zebra print?!?”
When someone sets out to make you a quilt, they do it with you in mind, start to finish. A lime green scrap in the border might remind her of the dress you wore to prom in high school. The zebra print was included because it kind of looks like that fuzzy thing hanging from the rearview mirror in your car. The violet section in the middle is there because she remembers how much you love purple, and while she was stitching it, she thought about how Halloween is your favorite holiday, and wonders which haunted houses you’ll be hitting this year–if she doesn’t already know.
She remembers the decor in your living room, and thinks of how well the chosen color scheme will go with it. She added that wine bottle print to the backing knowing how much you love a good Cabernet, and thinking about how much this gift will lift your spirits to receive while your new husband is overseas. While she’s sprawled out on the floor, pinning the top, batting, and backing together, she is thinking about that four-hour dinner you had at Chili’s when you first became friends.
Making a quilt for someone is not just work of the hands, but of the mind. Whether or not it actually shows in the piecing or fabric choices, this was a journey for the quilter, and one she took with you. She is now handing it over into your care, and hoping that you’ll understand this is the best way she can give herself to you in her physical absence.
Quilting sometimes becomes the language at which the creator is her most articulate. It isn’t meant to create any sort of obligation for you, (if you boiled it down to dollars and cents, it could be the most “expensive” gift you’ll ever receive), but more an expression of gratitude. A quilt made especially for you may just be the quilter’s way of thanking you for your presence in her life, and letting you know that who you are, and what you are or have been to her is valued…nothing more or less complicated than that.
That is it exactly. Love for who you give it to.
My Facebook Bowerbird friend Susan sent this link to me. I am touched and tears are in my eyes. This is exactly why I am making a patchwork throw for my daughter in her football team’s colours from REcycled wool fabric that has been fulled. Beautiful sentiments. Thanks.
Karen at http://ruderecord.wordpress.com
Totally AWESOME – couldn’t have EVER said it better myself…Thank YOU 😉
Quilt ON!
~Deb
Oh that is so beautifully said! I wish I could send it to all those I made a quilt!
Now I know why all those quilts I lavished so much time and money on and every stitch was stitched with love and anticipation of how the receiver would love it never ever even generated a ‘thank you, it has arrived’.
Will this stop me making and giving quilts. I hope not, but it may make me choose my recipients more carefully.
I certainly can’t speak for people who don’t express gratitude for these gifts, but I am right there with you in choosing the recipients carefully. 🙂 Every once in a while, this kind of gift converts them, but not always. Don’t ever let it destroy your love of the art, or stop you from being generous with the people you love.
I certainly agree with all of your post…..and especially about choose your recipient carefully. Last year, I spent the entire year making 5 quilts for 5 different women in the same family. They “once” were very neighbors and very close friends. Around Christmas, I delivered them to two of the recipients in their company office. One REALLY liked hers, the other didn’t say much, but “thank you.” I never heard from the other 3 until 7 months later when I asked one of them if they had ever gotten their quilts. Still haven’t heard from the other 2. I won’t make that mistake again, believe me!!
That’s sad to hear. I gave a quilt I haven’t had any acknowledgment on from the recipient whatsoever either, and it’s disappointing. You always think you know who it’ll be, but you can’t always call it, unfortunately. I made a wallhanging for someone once as a birthday gift and the first thing she said was, “Well, somebody has a lot of time on their hands.” Sure wished I had spent that time differently! But then, maybe I wouldn’t have learned.
Helen – I am a knitter so understand your feelings about choosing your recipients more carefully. I love to knit afghans and gave four away to one family (of four) for Christmas one year. No acknowledgement until I asked in February whether the parcel had arrived. Reply was – “What did you send?”
Oh you’ve explained it so perfectly!
I give you a lot of credit, I have only made three quilts. One for my car of Hello Kitty and two for my grandson. I have another Hello Kitty one to make for my bed, but all of the stuff is in NY and I do it by hand. I am no way as good as you are and I love all you do. How did the breast cancer one go? Did you donate it or find someone special? If I every get a job I really want the doll clothes for my nieces. Maybe I will have you make me a fall quilt so I can remember my favorite and Old Forge. Keep Quilting Honey you have a God given talent!
Thanks Karrine! I’m not sure I know which quilt you’re asking about…maybe you have me mixed up with someone else. Thanks for reading!
Spot on!!
because a quilter loves you.
Quilts=Love
Thank you for these words! My precious mom was a quilter. Not a machine quilter, as many today are, but a hand quilter. All of her children have a quilt made by her. All of her grandchildren have one as well. Along with countless others. We lost Mom in 2013, but I cherish the quilt she made for me. For Mom, quilting was a labour of love and anything done in love was worth the best of herself. Thank you for reminding me how wonderful her gift was…and how much she loved those she gave quilts to.
What a wonderful memory to share with us all. I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m glad she brought quilts and quilting to your life.
I have a dear friend, she cuts and sends me kits to assemble for QFK Lincoln NE chapter. I provide the batting and sometimes postage to get the quilts to the chapter. I don’t have funds to buy much fabric yearly so to me this a blessing so I can give to others. She buys such wonderful childrens prints,,,Mickey Mouse winks as you sew. This gives me plenty of smaller projects to practice free motion quilting on my domestic sewing machine. I wish for a long arm quilting machine, not knowing where I would put it in my house, but I envy those who are privileged to own and use one. Those quilters would struggle to do what I attempt with my Bernina. So this keeps me going to improve my skills, and I don’t worry about show perfect quilting or binding. Those children and families will love it anyways. Sew Peacefully.
I’d love to longarm too, but I agree–I quilt on my domestic because I want to have that skill, regardless of my sewing machine budget. And I’ve heard that longarm is so much easier, to be good at quilting on a domestic machine is a real feather in your cap. (Longarming is, too, of course–I can’t wait until I can take a class and rent some machine time!)
My Mom was a quilter and we had watched her quilt and the quilts were just stacked year after year. One long weekend in August (Canada) she called all of us (13 kids) in and grandchildren (42) and other great grand children…..too many to count. She had untold amount of quilts to give away and all the children and grandchildren were given a quilt, some of the great grandchildren were given quilts, the smaller ones were given other tokens of her work. What a great weekend that was. In my final years of work, I have decided to take up quilting and enjoy it a lot. I think I might have a bit of her in me….
I will always remember my grandmother examining old clothing, looking for defects, considering the color and pattern, then cutting it into squares with those funny looking pinking shears and stacking them in a box, and then saving the leftover scraps in a bag. And later, sometimes much later, sewing those squares, or other shapes, into larger squares and assembling a pattern only she could see, at first, in her head. Then one day, after many months or longer, gathering with friends and taking all those little scraps cut up into an almost confetti of cloth and quilting them onto the back in tight little packets of batting (no wonder those things were so heavy!) and I remeber being awestruck! And I still am!
This totally helps me out – as a quilter I always wonder what recipients will think, maybe they’ll hate it and hate me for giving it to them and want something different. Now I’m going to relax and give them this with the quilt! Thank you – beautifully written.
Dan Jo, you have a talent for writing as well as quilting. We have two quilts here, one given to us by your Great Grandmother, and the second a denim quilt for my 50th birthday. Both are very special for all of the reasons you mentioned, and I am sure that the denim quilt has a piece of Wrangler in it that you or your Mom picked out. Keep sewing. Keep writing! Dell T would be very proud of you.
Uncle Pete
Wrapping up in a quilt is also good medicine! It’s a “hug” that makes you feel that somebody loves you–all warm and toasty!
I’m glad I have the kind of family that taught me early on how that works!! 🙂 “Old Gold” is still alive and kicking! Some quilts last a lifetime.
So well put! Actually, when a 96 year old friend of mine for whom I had made a lap quilt to keep her warm, said “OH my, you made me a quilt!!?” I said, yes you are doing me a favor, cause I love to quilt and don’t need any more myself! She just laughed….
Ha! You have to be careful who you say that to–some people would think you were serious. I love a genuine, happy, surprised reaction.
Well said. Excellent post.
What a great essay!
Indeed, the proper reply is, “Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift.” The act is important. If the recipient absolutely loves the object that is a good thing, but the act comes first.
AMEN!!! Perfectly said!!
Very touching and brings back memories of my grandmother who made a jean quilt for me many years ago when I was in high school out of my blue jeans & embroidered using lazy daisy stitch & stitched I love you. Very special & fond memories. Thanks for sharing.
Cheryl
Very well said ~ you go, girl! Will definitely be sharing this with all of my quilting friends, with anyone I’ve ever made a quilt for, and with anyone who has ever had anyone give them a quilt. 😀
Beautifully expressed. I have my first quilt, of which I am so proud, to my brother in law who had terminal cancer and who was feeling the cold. It was given with love, and the hope that, hundreds of miles away, I could do just a little thing for him.
I was always taught to receive any gift, however much it may not “match” or suit you, gracefully and with genuine thanks. That giver has thought of you, and troubled to find something appropriate- even if their guess be slightly awry!- to this day, I keep every gift with this in mind.
Quilters and crafters, it is up to us to maybe let our potential recipients of our work- whether given with love if for reward, to know this and in doing so, ensure that everyone knows and understands the value of our work.
Keep crafting!
I love this, I am currently making a quilt, for a surprise birthday gift, my budget doesn’t allow me to have my quilts quilted (sandwiched) professionally so I do stitch in the ditch, I gave someone a quilt once and they asked why I didn’t you finish it ? That was the person I wish I didn’t give them my time and effort, let alone the cost of that item I know this next one will be a complete opposite,,,Thats why I continue to quilt, For the love of it and knowing that most people do appreciate the gesture
I think that’s true–most do. I’ve had a couple of experiences with ungrateful people, but thankfully not many. I talk about quilting so much anymore that I think most of my friends do understand, at least on some level. And quilting them yourself is the best way to improve your skills and save money on the longarming. I machine-quilt my own, too, and I have a lot of learning to do, but there is a lot of pride in saying, I made the whole thing myself. Keep at it!
Thanks so much for such a beautiful story. It makes me less afraid to give quilts as gifts. I have a blue ribbon quilt I want to give my dear niece when she graduates from college (it’s in her favorite colors), but sometime I worry that she won’t like it. Maybe I should put a copy of your story in with the quilt when I gift it.
From the comments here I’d just ask someone if they’d like a quilt, and what are their favorite colors? Sew a quilt of batik squares and call it a day with a neutral. There are too many hurt feelings on this forum.
Love this! Here’s my story of being on the Giving end: Brand new quilter. Lady (Laurie) at church has breast cancer/on chemo. Being a “survivor” myself and a little tired of the Pink Ribbon in everything.. I made her a lap quilt (turquoise & white) with a subtle Cross pattern (pinks). It had a few of the scripture blocks in it. Got it Done….called her to see if she’d be home on Wednesday (called on Monday). Told my Best Friend…she said, “You can’t give her a quilt without a label!” So, I ran down to her house on Tuesday to pick up the label she’d made. Stayed up until Midnight sewing it on! Now, HERE’S the Kicker: I have caught a glimpse of a beautiful quilt on a post form Laurie! I went to her Wall – she is an EXPERT & ARTISTIC quilter!!! I called my Best Friend (1:00 a.m.): SUSAN!!!! She’s a QUILTER!!!! She responded with, “MAKE HER A SWEATER, QUICK!!!!” I DO knit, but not THAT fast! So, down to Laurie’s (30 miles away) with the quilt, I go. When I got there , she was so happy to see me (while I’m thinking – sure, wait ’til she sees what I brought!). We had lunch then she opened her present. She was speechless (you know what I was thinking: Dana Jo expressed it: Why would I give her a quilt? She pulled it out of the box, wrapped it around her and started to cry…She didn’t have her own quilt….she had given of herself so many times and to so many charities…that the only one of Her quilts she had was on her Dad’s bed in the other room. She still carries it with her everywhere she goes on overnights or for appointment……6 years later! We are Blessed!! We are Quilters! We appreciated each other!!! 🙂
That is about the sweetest story I have ever heard. The sweetest gift you can give somebody who makes things is to make something for her. How I long for a gift like that!I have asked for poems, short stories, or even what somebody dreams about, because I’m not everybody quilts!
Wonderful description of how I feel and Why I give away the quilts I make. One small Correction tho….. PLEASE Inclued the ” HE’S” in your next story, why,… because today …. MEN ARE QUILTERS TOO.
Beautifully said! Now, I must go and finish the quilt for my Aunt Helen.
Thank you for putting into words what is most often in our hearts.
Diane
I love this post & I love the reply from Brenda Fickett. Yes, this is why we quilt. Some times it is not appreciated, or even acknowledged. But we do not quilt for the glory, we quilt because we love. When someone who knows how much love was poured into every stitch, the love grows. Quilters are a precious group. We are quirky, fun, old, young, men, women but most of all we love one another.
Well-said! Thanks so much!
Well I couldn’t have explained it better myself!
Cheryl Sorensen
Memories , love , and relationships. Making quilt for my nine month old grandson. After reading posts getting me motivated.
Spot on. So true on all levels.
Love your description but it is still beautiful
Thank you for sharing, I was so touched by it that It brought tears to my eyes
So true. Sometimes people don’t realise that quilts are sewn with lots of love in each and every seam.
My grandma made me a quilt when I was young. I slept under it until it fell apart. I wish I still had it even with the rips and holes from over use.
So very beautifully expressed. Thank you.
Penny Barnes made me a heart quilt after my heart attack and she had it on my doorstep within a week after I returned home from the hospital. She wanted meet know I was loved, but also, I should take care of my heart. I did. A year and a half later I am 75 lbs. lighter, much healthier, and very close to my high school weight as a 51 year old. I went from a 38 waist to a 32, XXL shirts to Medium, and had to replace an entire wardrobe. It was great to receive a quilt. I will always treasure it, as well as Penny’s friendship.
So very true! I have had a couple of lukewarm, to say the least, receptions to quilt gifts. Thanks for laying this out…it helps me and recipients!
I just saw this today and oh, how it hits home with me!!!!! My son got married in October of last year. Well before the wedding, I found a pattern (Steps To The Alter) and challenged myself to make him a quilt (HUGE challenge as I’ve never made a quilt before). It is coming up on his one-year wedding anniversary and I am almost finished with it. My biggest fear is that it won’t be appreciated……….
When I make a quilt for someone I allow them to tell me one one colour. After that it’s all mine – pattern, character, other colours, even size! I usually end up hating the quilt at some point, and may take it apart and start over, change directions or put it away for a while. By the time I’ve finished, I love every quilt I’ve made. I hang it up, take it’s picture and send it on it’s way. I have never been given a quilt, although I’d love to have one.
I designed and careful planned,quilted and gifted one for my Nephews Wedding. As he opened it he got all excited:” I was hoping you’d make me a quilt”. Once he saw it, no hiding the disappointment in something, not sure what. He looked at it, showed his wife and put it away. Not even sharing with the rest of the family there. I am now very very careful of who gets one of my creations
Your lovely, thoughtful essay is spot-on! It was posted to the Quiltville FB group, hence the renewed interest in it. I in turn have shared it with several online quilting groups. Thank you for putting into words what we quilters experience!
Beautiful!
I have not quilted recently, but have been doing other sewing projects. I so enjoy the work, and usually have someone in mind as l make the item. Reactions to the gift can be very disappointing , but I try to remember the joy and creativity that went into it.
I have made quilts for grandchildren and never have seen them again since giving them. Also have made quilts for new grand babies of friends and never received a thank you — also had to ask if the gift was received. Now I make small quilts for the preemies in the local hospital. I actually got a lovely thank you email last week (my first in 3 years) from one of the parents. Discouraging, but yet we persist.
If you don’t want to look at it, wrap up in it. You’ll feel the love.
The most appreciative recipients are always children. They might not say thank you but the will love it to shreds!
Thank you for this. You hit the nail. We (quilters) do think of the recipient at every step. Choosing the fabrics, utting them into little pieces then putting them back together like a puzzle.
This explains it ALL!
I give for the sake of giving. It’s nice to have a grateful recipient, but not necessary.
Makes me cry! Yes, I received a quilt as did my two sons. They are very valuable treasures from our Mother /Grandmother. Quilt tops she began back in her teen years. She has been gone from our lives for 17 years now but her memory lives on in these generous gifts that she gave. Forever grateful for her talent, perseverance, and sacrifice!
SPOT ON!
Perfect! Thank you!
That’s beautiful. That’s exactly how I feel when gifting one of my creations. Hopefully everyone loves my expressions of love
This is such a witty and spot-on treatment of the gift quilt scenario. Enjoyed muchly!
These comments are breaking my heart. As someone who has NEVER owned a quilt, I will never understand the outright ingratitude of such a precous gift. No one in my family quilts and I am trying to learn but my skills leave a lot to be desired so I’m still not sure I’ll ever get one, even trying to do it myself. So anyway, to those of you who experienced the heartbreak of a thankless recipient, remember that it’s their loss. Your love, talent, and generosity will be storing up your treasures in heaven. Be Blessed and keep creating! I hope to be able to follow in your footsteps, and to be wrapped in a beautiful quilt of my own some day.
Earlier today I printed two paragraphs from this lovely explanation and included them with the quilt my wife just finished and asked me to wrap as a wedding present. She has made several quilts as wedding presents and always got appropriately thankful responses. But, since I know the effort that goes into each quilt, I wanted the recipients to know what the gift means. Your words express it perfectly:
“Making a quilt for someone is not just work of the hands, but of the mind. … you know that who you are, and what you are or have been to her is valued…nothing more or less complicated than that.”
Just lovely.
I found this because I googled “do people still like quilts” as I am painstakingly thinking and researching a quilt that I’m about to make for my best friend’s new baby girl.. and many many hours in, and now before I’ve even bought the fabric I started thinking… maybe this is old and outdated and does she even know or appreciate this? Maybe she doesn’t even want it or won’t even use it! (I made her son one and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it in use). But then I read this, and I began to tear up because it’s exactly what goes through my head when I’m making one and why I would never make them to sell either. And why I will continue to make one when I choose that person that will receive one even though it takes hours and sometimes hundreds of dollars. Thank you for writing it so eloquently.
Very good reading! I am married to a quilter, and this is spot on. Only, her quilts are AWAYS worthy of showing off. She definitely has the gift and sentiment as described!
I rec. a Quilt of Valor-served 3 yrs.,Vietnam Era but never left states & had a few papercuts. Did not think I deserved a quilt but it means alot to me. I’ve also witnessed several quilt ceremonies for WWII, Korean,Vietnam combat Vets-the people who make these quilts will never know just how much healing goes into those pcs.of fabric,sewn with so much care, from strangers.
Quilts for Vets or anyone who needs a hug-you people rock.
I have always said you give a quilt to someone you love or you sell it for alot of money. So I gave my son and his now Ex-girlfriend a beautiful quilt. Barely got a thank you and now the quilt is totally missing, in breaking up and moving it seems to have been lost. All those hours, not to mention about $700 (king sz. and mostly Cherrywood fabric) gone. But I do love surprising a friend with a quilt, but always in person so I can see how they react!
I have three of your beautiful quilts and a wall hanging you made for this little Irishman. I love them all for different reasons but most of all because you made them for us. I think of you when I crawl under the blue and yellow one. When I pull the Santa one to warm me in the evening and the one with deer and cabins on it I fondly remember the house your Willie and I so enjoyed. Thank you for each of them they are treasures to me
Very well thought out and exactly correct!!
Thank you for putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, to eloquently tell your story.
So true, thank you for sharing
This is so well written. I love it. Thank you for posting it. You have stated what almost every quilter feels.
Very, Very Well Said! I always knew this from being a little Girl. I learned the valuable lesson from My Mother…..that had Parents that went through the Great Depression. All she got for Christmas 1 year was a hand..made Rag Doll. So …as She explained to me that was the most beautiful gift she received.
Then later in Life I Married and Broke down in Tears that Night,….as I opened the Specisl bag from My Sister…in.. law…LeAnne Schnack. You see,….I knew how special her Gift was, as she was Miles and miles away from her Father…that was leaving Us to continue his Journey with God in Heaven. I can only imagine the silent tears she’d as she seen piece to piece. So I Nsmed It in Her Honor…Our Wedding Quilt of Msny Colors!!!
I Love you My Dear Sister…Anne
Well said. To love a craft and share it with people you love is the best gift.
Beautifully expressed…I love each and every quilt I experience…each one has a story and a life of its own to share
I read the whole thing. And it is so true. Starting with the quilt my Grannie Louise gave me for high school graduation. I thought it was rather ugly, but she made it for me. That was 43 years ago. i still have it and when I look at it all I see is the love she had for me and how much I miss the fact that I can’t tell her that I am a quilter now. I just hope someday someone will look at one of my quilts and feel something similar.
Love this. It is so accurate!
That was beautiful Susann, I’ve always admired your skill and creativity ❤️Have a great weekend, sweet quilter cousin
A few years back our extended family was at a camping ground, and my mother, sister and I used to take all our sewing gear and set up in the dining room to sew up a storm. Interesting the conversations we had. I remember one man probably in his 50s, a pastor, joking that he hoped none of us were making a quilt for him, and went on a bit about them in a way that left me realising he saw a quilt as a joke gift. Pure misogyny right there. Women’s work has no value to him. Not in any way the kind of woman who kowtows to a man just because he thinks he’s all that, I gave him a few home truths about his attitude. A rather tarter version of this blog post really. It shut him up but it did make me realise that one should gift wisely.
Perfect way to explain the desire to make quilts for those who hold a special place in our lives.
Fantastic article, so true.Its the thought that counts and someday the recipient will understand how much she was loved.
Thank you so very much for my beautiful Cardinal quilt. I have had so many wonderful comments on it. I can,t even imagine how many hrs you must have spent making it. I wish your Dad could have seen it. I loved him for 36+ years and miss him every day. Love you, Vicki
.
Beautifully written ! And a % true!
Love this. I am a quilter and feel everything you wrote in my stitches. If it’s for a cancer patient each stitch becomes my prayer for them. Thank you for expressing what l feel about quilting so well.
Perfect!! Thank you!!
This is so beautiful and so true ❤️❤️❤️
Love this!!!! Wonderful description!!!
Perfectly stated
Great story! I have been quilting for 40 years. I would love to share it but the title prohibits me from doing so.
Hi Jody, thank you for your comment. If you read other posts, you’ll find that I use very little profanity here, if any. This title was written on a whim and without a lot of thought, six years ago. I apologize for offending you, but am also a faithful person who I believe God has forgiven for it. While I didn’t write it specifically for shock value, I have a feeling that the objectionable word in the title is actually one very likely reason it has been shared again all these years later, and that you ended up seeing the piece today.
Thank you again and keep quilting!
I love your article and it is well said. The first quilt I made was from fabric scraps leftover from making rmy daughters play clothes, which she had picked out the fabric. She said the colors did not go with her theme for her first babies room. With feelings hurt, I put all the pieces in a bag. After my mother’s death years later, I retired and decided to finish that quilt. Although it was far from perfect, I finished it. Maybe one day my daughter will ask me for it or sadly inherit it when I die. So true that every quilt has a story. I have learned a lot from my quilting friends and our local quilting guild. I am following my passion.
When my grandmother died, her quilts were one of the few items of dispute. They were the tangible memory of her love.