The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author June McCrary Jacobs

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Baby quilts, Folsom History Museum's Antique Quilt and Clothing Exhibit, Hand-embrodiery quilts, Historical Quilts, Pictures of Historical Quilts, The Writer's Block--Quilts and More with Author June McCrary Jacobs

VIEWING HISTORICAL QUILTS

By JUNE McCRARY JACOBS

1930 Giddy-Up FDR Campaign Quilts

I have loved learning about history since I was a child. I eventually minored in history in college. When I was attending the local community college before transferring to the state university, I took a quilt class taught by an experienced and knowledgeable woman from the community. The instructor shared her love of quilting with us, and this class was where I was first exposed to the history of quilting in America. I felt as if a new world had opened up to me as we learned about the various quilt blocks and styles of quilting (Amish, Hawaiian, whole cloth, appliqué, patchwork, etc.).

 

1937 4-Patch Medallion Quilt

EArly 1960s Humpty Dumpty Quilt

My affection for historical quilts has remained in my heart since then. I enjoy attending museum displays of historical quilts and clothing. Each summer I visit the Folsom History Museum’s Antique Quilt and Clothing Exhibit. The director generously allowed me to photograph the quilts on display, and I’d like to share some of the baby/crib quilts displayed in the summer of 2014 exhibit.

 

1970s Animal Kingdom Quilt

In the past, women have made their quilts for the most part by using scraps left over from their other household sewing. Affluent women were able to purchase finer fabrics such as silk, satin, and velvet to use for their quilts. As an amateur quilter, I’ve used scraps, recycled clothing, worn sheets, and newly purchased fabrics to make my quilt tops and backings. I always use needled-cotton batting from the Warm Company because I love the texture and quality of their products.

 

Blue Gingham Horse

1957 Embroidered Quilt

My favorite historical quilts are those sewn by hand with hand-embroidery embellishments. In the photos accompanying this post, you can see examples of how hand embroidery was used to add depth and texture to some of the figures on the quilts. For example, the red gingham elephant’s tusks and tail, the blue gingham horse’s mane and tail, the yellow gingham giraffe’s mane and tail, and the teddy bear in his blue pajamas and nightcap.

Red Gingham Elephant Quilt

 

1059s Stars & Baby Blocks

I love patchwork quilts using bold colors such as the ‘Stars & Baby Blocks’ Quilt shown with the red ‘Mother Goose Tales’ book standing in front of it. The red in that quilt is vibrant and attractive and it contrasts with the white stars at the centers of the blocks to add drama to the simple blocks. The primary colors of yellow, blue, and red found on the ‘Humpty Dumpty’ quilt shown here work so well together—the figures seem to jump off the quilt!

I’ve been following the ‘Modern Quilting Movement’ for the past few years, and I am a big fan of these exquisite adaptations of traditional blocks and themes. Someday soon I hope to take the plunge and move away from traditional piecing and appliqué to create a quilt made in the ‘modern’ style. Just think, someday in the future these modern quilts will be considered traditional quilts!

 

About the Author: 

 June McCrary Jacobs has loved quilts since she took a quilt class through the local community college when she was twenty years old.  June’s favorite thing about quilts is the care and skill quilters put into making special handmade items for the people they love. June writes inspirational contemporary and historical romance when she is not sewing, designing, quilting, reading, or visiting museums and art galleries. Readers can connect with June at her website/blog:  http://www.junemccraryjacobs.com

 Want to read of June’s posts on this blog? Click here for Through the Garden Gates and her Wednesday Writer posts

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The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Erica Vetsch

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Author Erica Vetsch, Catherine Castle's The Writer's Block Quilts and More bog, Dodge County Historical Society Museum in Mantorville Minnesota, Dodge County MN World War One Signature Quilt, Red Cross World War One Signature Quilt

Finding Inspiration in Quilts

by Erica Vetsch

Erica and Linda’s Dodge County World War One Red Cross Signature Quilt

As a writer, I find inspiration in quilts because each quilt has a story to tell. Foulard fabrics, Civil War quilt blocks, Baltimore quilts, heritage blocks, I love them all. Because I write historical fiction set in America, I have an affinity for quilts, a truly unique American art form.

Perhaps the most striking intersection of my writing and my quilting came several years ago when my daughter and I visited the Dodge County, MN historical society museum. It was there that I saw my first Signature Quilt. Before then, I was unfamiliar with this popular fund-raising method of the early twentieth century.

As my daughter and I toured the tiny museum in an old church, we saw the quilt, red crosses on white background with dozens of names embroidered all over it. The docent described the history of the quilt. Local residents, for a small donation, could have their names embroidered on the quilt in red thread, and when the quilt was full and complete, it would be raffled or auctioned off. All proceeds would be donated to the Red Cross to aid the American Expeditionary Forces of World War One.

Standing in that museum, hearing the story, reading the names, I was transfixed. Every name on the quilt represented a person, a business, a family of Dodge County, Minnesota. And every person had their own story. I knew then that I wanted to write a novel that featured a signature quilt.

Before long, as I studied the old quilt, the idea of creating my own Red Cross Signature Quilt came to me. It seemed natural to embroider the quilt with the names of Dodge County World War One veterans.

Erica basting the quilt

Erica and her SIL Linda (blue coat, long strawberry-blonde hair) getting the quilt on the display rack for the presentation

This was an ambitious project for an admittedly amateur quilter, so I enlisted the help of my sister-in-law, Linda Ambrose. I cut and pieced the blocks and compiled a list of veterans’ names, while Linda scribed their names in washable ink on the blocks. Then we set down to embroider. Many skeins of red floss later, we had dozens of blocks and it was time to piece the quilt. Linda is a master of organization, and she was a great help in laying out the quilt and helping me assemble it. Machine quilting and machine and hand binding finished the project.

The original world war one signature quilt in the foreground along with the quilt Erica and Linda made in the background at the museum

The quilt was dedicated on Veterans’ Day, 2012, and it now resides at the Dodge County Historical Society Museum in Mantorville, Minnesota. This project was a true labor of love, and I hope in the years to come, when people visit the museum, they will feel the pull of story, recognize the bravery of the veterans, and remember their sacrifice.

Erica and Linda with the board of directors of the museum on Veterans’ Day 2012.

 

Quilter/writer Erica Vetsch has loved quilts since… she was a little girl playing with scraps of fabric as her mother cut, pieced, and quilted in her basement sewing room. Though late to quilting and sewing herself, she has always loved quilts and their stories as the beautiful original American art form that they are. She currently writes historical romantic fiction, and she has way too many quilt tops pieced that she needs to get quilted! You can find Erica online at Erica’s Books on Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Deanna Klingel

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Author Catherine Castle quilting blog, Grandma's quilts, Sunbonnet Sue Quilt, The Writer's Block Quilts and More with Author Deanna Klingel

Just the Way Grandma Taught me

 

I was very young when my grandma let me sew with her. I was always playing in her button box anyway, so it was probably inevitable. Grandma did all kinds of fancy work. She crocheted ruffled doilies and bedspreads, she embroidered sheets and pillowcases, she hooked rugs and she made quilts. Granddad cut her templates out of tin. She taught me to make tiny stitches in straight lines. She, and my mom, showed me how to embroider and make doll clothes. And naturally, my dolls needed quilts. I can’t sew anything without thinking of my mom and my grandma.

Over the years, many moves, many children, I have fond memories of women who have been part of my life, women I met with to sew and knit and quilt. I’ve worked on group quilts that were raffled for charities, and I’ve created very personal quilts. I’ve made some other fun things, wall hangings, doll quilts, jackets, pillow tops, all quilted just the way Grandma taught me.

I don’t have any of my grandma’s quilts. But I did find the raggedy ruin of my Sunbonnet Baby crib quilt that she made for me when I was a baby. It was my treasure for many years. I found it in my mom’s cedar chest; I brought it home. Don’t be horrified when I tell you that I cut it up. There were a few “good” sunbonnets that I cut out and had framed to hang in the bunk room where my grandchildren visit. I tell them, your great-great grandma made these for us.

My next quilt, which I hope I can tackle this winter, is a valor quilt. I purchased everything last January with every intention. I haven’t started it yet. Starting is the hardest part for me. I don’t enjoy the math and the cutting. I love to quilt.

 

About the Author:

Quilter/author Deanna Klingel has loved quilts since she was tucked into her crib under the Sunbonnet baby quilt her grandma made for her. Her first quilts she made for her dolls. The love, the skill and the complexity grew up with her. Even as a girl she took her work seriously, quilting, sewing, knitting and writing. Deanna writes primarily historical fiction for young audiences, but also has Pre K picture books and teen novels. You can find her website at booksbydeanna.com. She also has an author page on facebook.

 

 

 

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Cathe Swanson

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Author Catherine Castle quilting blog, Baby Quiilting Bee, Bride's Quilting Bee, quilt blog, Quilting Bee, Quilting Bee fresh substitute for the Bridal Shower, sewing, The Writer's Block Quilts and More with Author Cathe Swanson, wall quilts

The New-Fashioned Quilt Bee

by Cathe Swanson

 

It’s a great time to be a quilter. There are new fabrics and tools every season. The online resources are innumerable. It’s trendy. Tens of thousands of women are sewing quilts and quilted items: bed quilts, baby quilts, table runners, wall quilts and accessories. Textile artists use cotton fabrics to create amazing wall hangings. Interest in sewing and quiltmaking has never been higher.

I appreciate all of that, but I have to admit that I’m old-fashioned in my attitudes about quilting. My favorite quilts are made of scrap fabrics in traditional patterns. My favorite quilts have significance beyond than their aesthetic appeal. My favorite quilts have stories. Quilting is essentially relational. Often, it’s an act of service or a gift, especially when done as a group activity. It’s the perfect venue for social interaction; while the hands and eyes are occupied, the ears and hearts are open.

I started teaching workshops, retreats and classes in 1992, and I loved teaching, but I gradually came to realize that I wanted to use quiltmaking as a ministry. My real joy is in directing events for women, especially in family or church groups. Separated by busy lives and distance, many of us seldom have the opportunity to really visit with our mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, grandmothers, nieces, and old friends. We meet in passing at weddings and funerals, but we don’t know each other well. So I created a new kind of quilting bee.

The most popular quilting bee is for the bride. It is a fresh substitute for the traditional bridal shower. Instead of spatulas and pillowcases, the bride receives a queen-size heirloom quilt, created by the women of her family on one never-to-be-forgotten day of sharing.

The quilting bee starts at 9:00, with everyone assigned to work stations according to their skills. Even young girls or people who don’t know how to sew are important participants, picking out seams, pressing, lining up pieces of fabric to be sewn and helping with other small but necessary tasks. Luncheon is served at noon, followed by a devotional message, and then the sewing starts again. It’s exciting to see the quilt start coming together. By 5:00, the quilt top is completed.

 Some brides make scrapbooks of the event, with bits of fabric and precious multigenerational photographs. The best part of the quilt is the label on the back, declaring that it was made for the bride by the women of her family, signed by each of the women present. The quilting bee hostess usually has the top professionally machine quilted and displayed behind the gift table at the wedding reception.

At Baby Bees, we make two crib quilts, and one is donated to mother’s favorite charity. There are quilting bees for retiring pastors or teachers, for family members who are moving away or for people who have lost everything in fires or other disasters.

Quilting bees aren’t just about making a quilt. They are about friends, family and love. Real quilts are about relationships.

 

About the Author:

Quilter/writer Cathe Swanson has loved quilts since 1986, but she didn’t develop a passion for quiltmaking until 1992, when she started teaching and leading workshops. She enjoys designing patterns, being creative and making fine quilts, but her real enthusiasm is in using quiltmaking for ministry and building relationships, especially within families. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary fiction from a Christian worldview, featuring interesting characters of all ages and backgrounds, often in eccentric communities and locations. You will find quilts and quilters in the pages. Check out her website – http://www.gloryquilts.com – to learn more about Cathe and what she does!

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Patrick Craig

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A Quilt for Jenna, Amish romance, Author Catherine Castle's Quilt blog, Author Patrick Craig, quilts, Rose of Sharon quilts, The Writer's Block--Quilts and More

An Amish Quilting Story From a Man?

I have to admit, when Patrick contacted me about being on The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More, I was curious. Quilting is, after all, mainly a woman’s craft. Writing Amish romance usually is, too. Then when I received Patrick’s post, I was even more intrigued at the pattern he chose for his heroine to make–A Rose of Sharon.

Since the book cover doesn’t really show a Rose of Sharon pattern, here are a couple of sites where you see the block and get free patterns:

http://www.patternsfromhistory.com/bible_quilt/bible_rose.htm

http://www.quiltviews.com/free-rose-of-sharon-table-runner-pattern-by-sharon-pederson

Now, let’s find out how a Patrick became a quilt lover and Amish romance writer.

Many of my readers have asked me how I came to write a whole romance novel about quilting.  It’s a strange and wonderful story.  The whole adventure came about when Nick Harrison, my editor at Harvest House Publishers, challenged me to send him a story idea. He told me he liked Amish stories and quilting stories. Now I knew nothing about the Amish or about quilting—absolutely nothing.  I had never read an Amish fiction novel, and I had never seen a quilt made or even seen the tools.  But I heard opportunity knocking and was determined to answer the door.

So I got on Google.  I studied everything I could find—I dove into it with abandon. As I read about it, my character’s studio became very real to me.  I could see the frame, the bolts of material, and her needles.  I could see the special rocking stitch she used.  I even saw her leather thimble.

Finally, I started my first chapter. In the story Jerusha finds very special silk material hidden away in an old chest.  Now the Amish never use silk, but Jerusha was determined to do something unique.  I wrote this line:  As she rode home she began to see the design for the quilt in her mind, and for the first time in months she felt her spirits lift.  And amazingly I began to see the design for the quilt in my own mind.

I saw a beautiful blood red rose centered on a royal blue silk square background. The backing was cream-colored and there would be over 90,000 stitches. The story began to flow out of me.

The royal blue pieces made a dark, iridescent backdrop.  The rose had hundreds of parts, all cut into the flowing shapes of petals.  The quilting pattern was the most complicated she had ever done, but she traced it out, grateful for the means to occupy her mind and keep the thoughts of Jenna from overwhelming her.  Then she laid out the cream-colored backing, placed a double layer of batting on top of it and over it all, she placed the ironed patchwork piece that she had developed over the past month.  She carefully basted the layers together, starting from the center and working out to the edges. She carefully attached one end to the quilting frame, and then slowly turned the pole until she could attach the other end.  Then she drew the quilt tight until it was stable enough to stitch on and she started to quilt.

As the quilt developed, the story developed and then a whole series developed where the quilt became the focus around which generations of an Amish family found their way through the trials of life.  And the blood red rose in what Jerusha called her “Rose of Sharon” quilt became a symbol of the shed blood of Jesus and it’s marvelous power in the lives of people who turn to God in their desperate need.

Now whenever, I see a quilt, I stop and look, for my writing journey has made me an aficionado and a true lover of fine quilts.

 

Patrick E. Craig has loved quilts since he was challenged to write a novel about an Amish quilter by his editor at Harvest House Publishers. His favorite thing about quilting is the immense dedication it takes to finish a perfect quilt that has every stitch in place, nothing puckered, and yet beautiful in design.  Patrick writes Amish Romance (one of only about six men who do) and children’s mystery stories. He is married and he and his wife Judy make their home in Idaho.  You can find his Amish quilting novel, A Quilt For Jenna, on Amazon at this link, (A Quilt For Jenna) or in your favorite Christian store.

 

 

The Writer’s Block—Quilts and More with Author Catherine Castle

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A Writer's Block Quilts and More with Author Catherine Castle, Art Quilts, Author Catherine Castle's Quilt blog, pictures of quilts

Not Your Grandma’s Quilt–Quilts as Art

Welcome to The Writer’s Block Quilts and More series. I hope everyone has been enjoying this series. I know I am.

Today I’m not going to talk about one of my quilts, but a quilt that I had the privilege of photographing and writing about when I was writing for the local newspaper in the 1990s.

This beautiful piece “Ukranian Dance” is art disguised as a quilt.

Ukrainian artists Iren and Oleg Kirilenko, who had been introduced to quilting by a member of the Ohio Valley Quilter’s club, made the quilt pictured above. Until the visit of the Ohio Valley Quilters member, the couple had not seen a quilt. Once Iren learned about quilting she was very interested in quilting as an art form. Using fabric donated by the American guild and a few solid colored European fabrics, the Kirilenkos began fashioning quilts.  “Ukranian Dance” was their second quilt.

Not only does this quilt look different than your grandmother’s patchwork quilt, it’s constructed without applique or piecing.  The Kirilenkos started in the center of the quilt, overlapping the edges of the fabric in a technique they called “fish scale.”

I was there when the quilt was unveiled at the home of one of the Ohio Valley guild members, and I still remember the gasp from the ladies assembled there. Mine included. At the time I had never seen a quilt as art. Even today, I have to say I haven’t seen an art quilt that matches this one. I wish you all could see in up close and personal, because the quilt is absolutely breathtaking!

Have you ever seen an art quilt that took your breath away?

 

Catherine Castle has had a love affair with quilts since she was young and watched her mother hand-piece squares of fabric into fascinating designs. While she loves to quilt, she has more UFOs (unfinished object) quilt tops than she has completed projects. Still she keeps buying more material and starting more projects. Someday, she’ll get them all finished. When she’s not stitching UFO quilts or gardening–two of her favorite pastimes, she writes inspirational and sweet romance. You can learn more about her and her award-winning book right here on this website or her Amazon page.

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Gail Kittleson

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Author Catherine Castle's Quilt blog, Gail Kittleson, Garden Lattice Quilt, pictures of quilts, The Writer's Block--Quilts and More, tulip Quilt

Getting to the Heart of Quilting

by Gail Kittleson

Quilts speak comfort to me, though my creative gifts definitely lie elsewhere. I’m reworking a novel right now, and my heroine’s mother sent a hand-stitched quilt with her on the Oregon Trail. Meta, from a rural Iowa German community, commits herself to Garrit, ten years her senior, and his Wyoming Territory dreams.

In their wagon train, Meta meets a wonderful new friend headed for The Dalles, Oregon, and together they face unspeakable loss on the trail. In the lavender-scented folds of her mother’s quilt, my heroine finds comfort.

The pattern? Tulips in a Basket—what a cherished gift. And even more so because her mother used Papa’s trousers to fashion the baskets—Papa, who died when Meta was a little girl.

A few years ago, my husband prepared for his second twelve-month-plus deployment to Iraq, so I decided to do something for myself. A friend offered to make a quilt for cold winter night snuggling, and one day in the fabric store, she taught me the ins-and-outs.

All I wanted was yellow, for cheer, but she said, “You must choose a contrast.” When no other color struck me, and I re-emphasized my longing for yellow, we went with shades and textures. In the end, she liked the results with the Garden Lattice pattern. I edited her memoir in exchange for her quilting, and voila!

Okay, that IS me, with my hair longer and doing its natural thing …

My mother-in-law, nearly ninety, still quilts. I so enjoy her lovely creations—such a lifelong, worthwhile vocation. Although I’ll never create a lovely quilt, I admire them and the patient skill they require.

I wonder, has anyone out there completed a quilt in either of the two patterns mentioned here?

 

About the Author:

Gail Kittleson has enjoyed quilts for decades, though her sewing skills leave a great deal to be desired. Her favorite thing about quilts is their history and the comfort they bring people, and she uses that aspect in several historical women’s fiction novels. You can learn more about Gail and her debut novel at her website.

 

 

 

 

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More with Author Molly Jebber

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Amish Quilts, AmishRomance, Author Catherine Castle's Quilt blog, Author Molly Jebber, Change of Heart, Keepsake Pocket Quilts, Quilts bring smiles, The Writer's Block--Quilts and More

Keepsake Pocket Quilt

 

The wonderful women in my quilting group are teaching me to quilt. They create their own patterns and stitch beautiful quilts. I’ve always loved the colors and unique patterns in quilts since I was a child. My love of quilts inspired me to write an Amish historical series with a keepsake pocket quilt theme. My main characters work in a quilting shop. Searching for an Amish quilt, I found and purchased one from an auction with pink prints and solids and a flour sack backing. I sewed a pocket on it to show where to tuck a letter inside to a loved one. I plan to take the quilt with me to signings, and I hope it will inspire readers to want to make a keepsake pocket quilt. I plan to make my own.

Amish quilts have such detail. Their wedding, Jacob’s Ladder, and pinwheel quilts are stunning. The intricate folds in their work create a raised pattern I love. They’re soft, comfy, and pretty spread across a bed or spread over a rack. I have another quilt in pink prints and solids I’ve had for years. The more I use it, the softer it gets. It will have to fall apart before I give it up!

When my daughter, Misty was born, a sweet disabled and mentally challenged woman stitched an animal themed quilt and give it to us. It is the most precious gift we received. The stitching was crooked and the squares weren’t straight, but you can “feel” the love she put into it. Quilts bring smiles to people’s faces no matter what their design!

 

About the Author:

Molly Jebber, author, has loved quilts since she was a child. She loves the soft and warm cozy feel of the material, and she enjoys the colorful patterns. She writes inspirational Amish historical romance stories. Her keepsake pocket quilt theme series begins with “Change of Heart” released June 30^th.

Want to know more about Molly? Connect with her on her website

 

 

The Writer’s Block–Quilts and More With Author Cathy Elliott

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A Stitch in Crime, Author Catherine Castle quilting blog, Cathy Elliott, Hand-stitched with prayer, healing through Quilting, Quilt Therapy

 Quilt Therapy

by Cathy Elliott

 

Next to writing, quilting is my favorite pastime. I love plotting out the design, gathering the perfect fabric, and the actual seat-in-chair experience of sewing up a masterpiece. When it’s done, a quilt offers comfort, warmth, beauty, and even tells a story. Like writing, I find time spent quilting to be time that results in healing.

Recently, a friend of mine showed me a quilt she’d hand-quilted over many months. She called the project her “Quilt Therapy.” Before she started the quilt, she struggled with a family member over something on which they could not agree. She believed she was in the right, but knew her attitude was wrong. So, she decided to pray about it and actively seek healing for their relationship. Through quilting.

My friend took time to pray about the fabrics and the pattern for the quilt she would make. After cutting it out, she pieced the blocks together on her sewing machine, praying as she went. And not just any type of prayer, but prayers for the one with whom she disagreed. Soon, she started hand-quilting the top to the quilt back, praying all the while. As she worked the needle back and forth through the soft batting, the prayers soothed her spirit.

By the time she finished her quilt, God had changed her heart and stitched the torn relationship back together into something beautiful. More lovely than the quilt!

So many times I have experienced healing through the craft of writing. I know it works. Now, after seeing my friend’s stunning quilt, hand-stitched with prayer, I know that works, too. I wonder how many problems could be solved with only a bit of quilting therapy?

 

About the Author:

 Quilter/writer Cathy Elliott has loved quilts since she visited her grandmother and found herself covered by so many heavy coverlets she couldn’t turn over in bed. If one quilt was cozy, why not three?

According to Cathy, quilts are in a special class of their own: artistic endeavors, things of beauty, utilitarian, legacy-worthy, and so diverse one can never see all the patterns. They keep hands busy and as the blog post says, hearts healed. Quilters are the most wonderful people, too. They’ll share their last fat quarter if there is a need.

But when she’s not quilting, Cathy writes sweet, cozy mysteries. The newest release, A Stitch in Crime, features a special heirloom quilt known to carry the secret to great riches. Find out more about Cathy & her books at: www.cathyelliottbooks.com

 

 

The Writer’s Block—Quilts and More with author Madelyn Hill

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crazy quilts, heirloom quilts, quilted Christmas Stockings, quilter/writer Madelyn Hill, quilts, The Writer's Block--Quilts and More

To me, quilts are Americana, history and family. My mother had a love hate relationship with her sewing machine. Sometimes she’d sew something and then in frustration tear it all apart. This happened when she made us quilted Christmas stockings. Each one was different and custom made for my sisters, brother, and me. I still have my stocking and hang it on the mantle each year.

Because of the Christmas stockings, I have always been drawn to quilts. I have scoured estate sales and garage sales. A friend made art from crazy quilts. Crazy quilts are a wonderful family history and I have one that has pieces from the 1800s.

My Quilt

Nine years ago my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer that had metastasized to her lungs and bones. Needless to say, this devastated our family and even as I type this, I am struck about how it seems like yesterday that my mother was well. Now there are a million little reminders and treasured memories that are sometimes sad and other times humorous. Once my mother was diagnosed, she rallied and fought valiantly, living the rest of her life by volunteering and servicing others. She had started a quilt and planned on making quilts for each girl in the family. She purchased all of the material and slowly started. But with treatment and life, they were not completed. Five years into her battle, a friend from her church said she would bring women over and they would work on them together. This was much more than completing the quilts. This was community, uplifting conversations and fellowship—women coming together to support their friend. We each participated in tying the knots that held the quilt together—very fitting in my opinion. The result was four beautiful quilts in which my sisters and I treasure. This is a lasting gift my mother wanted us to have.

Daughters’ Quilts

My mother also wanted to create a quilt for my daughters. The same friend from church promised to help and we headed to the store with the girls and my mother who was nearing the end of her fight. She wanted to come, share the experience with and create those lasting memories. The girls gathered their tee shirts from sporting, school, and life events and picked out complimentary fabrics. My mom’s friend put them together and the front of the quilts were done before my mother passed away. I need to find someone to finish them, since I also have a love/hate relationship with sewing and have two broken machines sitting in the basement. But what was important were the memories, the idea of working on something together and creating not only the gift of the quilts but the gift of time and conversations with my mom.

My daughters keep telling me I have to finish the quilts. This is truly bittersweet to me. Finishing the quilts will mean my mother truly isn’t here to share the experience. Having them sit there, raw and unfinished is pushing the harsh reality of her death at bay.

I know I will have to complete them, simply because they are too beautiful to remain otherwise. And I want my daughters to have the same treasure I have, that last gift and memory of togetherness.

On January 26, 2013 my mother passed away with her family at her side.

 

About the Author:

Quilter/writer Madelyn Hill has loved quilts since she was eight-years-old and her mother made her a quilted Christmas stocking. Throughout the years she searched estate sales and many flea markets with her mother and has purchased some lovely quilts. Madelyn has created many sewing projects from clothing to curtains to blankets. In fact, she was known as the quillow queen for a while until she broke her sewing machine. She has to send her machine off to be fixed as the pile of sewing projects is growing. When Madelyn is not sewing, she teaches by day and writes sensual, historical romances by night. You can connect with Madelyn at www.madelynhill.com