Friday, October 30, 2009

My patchwork quilt

There is a story in each square of fabric. Pappa's soft gray flannel pants, Aunt Phoebe's favorite blue blouse, little Teddy's plaid knickers with the knees worn clear through, and Grandpa's old flannel shirt. Not my Grandpa, but someone's. The quilt passed to me from a stranger, it's story unspoken and unknown.

Each piece sewn to it's neighbor, by hand. By whom? Were they young nimble fingers or were they crooked and stiff? Did she sit in the lamp light in the quiet evening the rest of the house asleep and her work done? Was the quilt a gift to a daughter leaving home? Taking with her the memories of family who wore these garments and of the mother who turned discarded clothing into something new and beautiful.

How many shoulders did this quilt warm? Did it rest at the bottom of a narrow bed? Was it spread on a sunny summers field for a picnic? I don't know. What I do know is joy and warmth with this quilt on my lap as I gently add patches of my own, mending and healing the weakened cloth and loosened stitches of a lifetime.


12 comments:

  1. Oh this is so nice! I have just bought quilt tools. I really want to quilt! Nice to know your place.
    Best wishes,
    Van

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  2. I know this was posted a few months ago but this is so cozy looking, it makes me want to cuddle up with it. Thanks for sharing!

    www.aqsquiltnews.blogspot.com

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  3. I love the history that comes with a quilt. It's not like they drove to JoAnns and bought fat quarters to make their quilts. Nope. Those fabrics were part of their lives. Beautiful!

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  4. ahh,yes,this is why I love quilts so much! The history!

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  5. that's a lovely quilt. i'm going to put a link to it from the found-stitched-dyed page
    best wishes
    indiana

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  6. This quilt found its way to the right hands.

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  7. Wow what a story and such a wonderful piece....love it.

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  8. so rich with home and family, and good that you are able to continue to nourish it. k.

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  9. what a gift to own such a life in fabric and how blessed is it, to have found you!

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  10. came over from 'found, stitched and dyed'. it was worth the journey. a 'treasure' indeed has found its way home. i love it when that happens. x

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  11. simple and lovely, domestic and universal. india "sent" me, too. thank you.

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