Home > About Me >> The Gift of QuiltingThe Gift of QuiltingPART I of THE GIFT OF QUILTING I recently lost my Aunt. I was close to her and loved her very much. Among other things, my Aunt was a talented quilter. She created hundreds of beautiful quilts for her home, family and friends as well as various charitable organizations. I am proud to say that I was the recipient of her first full-size quilt (her friends thought that she was nuts to be making it for an 11-year-old). However, one day a friend who had seen several of her quilts visited my home. She remarked that my special quilt seemed a bit "simpler" than many of the other quilts that my Aunt had made. The quilt was constructed using three inch squares and four fabrics (two of which were solids). It is certainly not as elaborate as many of her other quilts, but I would not trade it for anything (the first was for me). My friend is aware that most of my family received a quilt from my Aunt marking an occasion: graduation, marriage, 50th birthday, etc. She was surprised that I did not receive a quilt when I was married.I received my own sewing machine as a wedding present (and quilting lessons, quilt fabric, quilt patterns, and quilting books). My Aunt patiently taught (and sometimes retaught) me quilting, applique, quilt binding, etc. She always made time for me when I called with a question, or needed her advice on which way to place my quilt blocks. She would slowly walk through quilt shows with me (even when she had put them together). It is true, I did not receive a new, elaborate quilt as an adult. Her gift to me cost her countless more hours than simply making me a quilt, and she gave me so much more. PART II of THE GIFT OF QUILTING My Aunt fostered a lifelong love of quilting in me. Her support kept me from quitting when I couldn't get it right. She kept me engaged by challenging me to try new quilting techniques and skills. She always offered me praise and encouragement when she saw the quilted projects that I had devoted hours to (understanding that the appearance of a quilt does not always reflect the effort put into it). My Aunt taught me how to do handwork long before I learned how to quilt. I made some doll clothes, but I preferred the cross-stitch and needlepoint projects that she would give me. She even took them to be framed afterwards, memorializing my efforts.My Aunt and I were always close. She always made time for me when I was a child, and made sure that I had things to keep me busy. However, I was a typically charming teenager. Even then, when I was convinced that I knew everything, she would still voluntarily spend time with me. Even I had to admit that she knew more than I did about needlework, and she chose that time to introduce me to quilting. We both survived my teenage years, and I went back to cross stitch and needlepoint in college. My sewing machine immediately brought me back to quilting. Two states from home, she encouraged me to find the local quilting group, and I made my first "grown-up" friends who accepted me without question. With the care, love and patience of my Aunt, I had become a quilter. I lived away from home for many years. There were times when I was homesick, but I didn't have anything in particular to share. It never mattered, just as in my teenage years, I could always talk to her about quilting. As I matured, what had always been a close familial relationship blossomed into a friendship. We agonized over UFOs (a problem that we both shared) and worked on projects together. We shared our dreams and secrets over bits of fabric. More recently, she was not concerned that I would disturb her as I sat with her (others were surprised to hear, "It's ok, Rachel's quiet," because that is not the way that most would describe me). She knew that I would sit next to her and sew. I felt like I had returned to my childhood as I eagerly showed her what I had completed. She was right, I was quiet, I was happy just to be there with her, the applique was just a bonus. Losing her was relatively sudden, and about thirty years too early. I have not lost anyone that close to me before. The first thirty-six hours passed in a dreadful blur. I couldn't begin to comprehend how I was going to cope with this, and she was the one that I would normally turn to. I received sage advice on how to cope, but I couldn't even process it. As I tearily drifted off to sleep last night it seemed that nothing could dull the pain of her absence. When I woke up this morning she was the first thing that I thought of. I still felt the pain and sadness of losing such an amazing person. However, I also felt a peacefulness that had previously escaped me. I realized that I had woken up with a plan for a quilt. I immediately sat up, grabbed a piece of paper, and began jotting notes and sketching. The quilt will reflect a combination of our quilt design styles, with tributes to her and our time together. This quilt will be different than anything that either of us created independently. I will be able to say goodbye to my Aunt, thank her, and even mourn her as I create a quilt, hearing her voice as I go through the process of creating a reflection of the love that she gave to me, and that I feel for her. Note: I am the mother of a six-year-old. I understand the challenges that children present, and the patience that they require. However, I truly hope that you will choose to share your gift and love of quilting with a special child in your life. Start small, but it is worth the time. Don't feel as if all is lost if that special child is grown-up. Work out the scheduling and take the time. |
Contact Me At rachel@quiltblockparty.com
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