A few weeks ago while the majority of my family was in town, my sisters and I were looking at Mom’s quilting room. One after another would be brought out and questions were asked. “When was this made?” “How did she choose her fabrics?” “What was her inspiration?” “What was she thinking about while making this one?” Having lived (I live next door to my parents house) and worked closely with mom over the last fifteen to twenty years, I answered as best I could.
Only a quilter could know that each and every quilt we make has a story as well as a genealogy. So the questions asked of mom’s quilts were so natural to hear from the other quilters in the family that they brought many thoughts to mind. Particularly, of a conversation I had with my sister Deb who lives in New York now. (Amen for email) When my future grandchildren are grown will they know my quilts and their stories? Who will know the answers to all those questions? You see, Deb is a collector of antique quilts from the pre-civil war eras. She has stunningly, beautiful quilts dating back to the 1800’s. Her quilts have also been featured in magazines. I find it absolutely amazing that she can look at a quilt and start telling the history, news of the time, what life was like for the quilter and on and on…
Deb showed me some of her latest acquisitions and the ongoing process of recreating them. A photo is taken of the entire quilt and each block in close-up. The entire plan is neatly bound and notations made. Step one: Trace the genealogy and complete history of the quilt. This could take years. Step two: Find fabrics today that are either the exact match or as close as one can get. For each fabric found, a small snip is placed in the binder. This process could take six to twelve months and can be done at the same time as the historical research. Step Three: Make the pattern. Step Four: Start making the quilt. The entire quilt is hand sewn as the original was. When the project is complete, she will have an exact replica of the original.
I must say that Deb is one of the truly great quilters. My hand sewing??? Let’s just say that when it comes to manipulating a small needle I need a LOT more practice!! Right now, I am more in the classification of dangerous with a small pointy object. My quilting has been on the machine. Although I secretly look at the hand sewn quilts and salivate over the immense beauty and skill.
So back to the point of this ramble… One sentence. Remember the quilts. Whether it is one of your first complete with all it’s character, (we never say flaws. Those are character my dear) or one of your most pristine examples of quilting that you have done at your pinnacle of skill. They all matter. They all have a story. That story includes you, your history, and your growth as a quilter and as a person. I guess you could say that we should remember more than just the quilt. For it is not merely an inanimate object. The quilts you make are a legacy. Your legacy that will continue far longer than even the ladies of the 1800’s could have ever imagined for their complete works.

So in closing, I will rephrase. Remember. Remember the quilts, remember the past, and remember everything. For the quilters yet to come will remember us … in our quilts.


New and soon to be new to the website: RJR- Thimbleberries “October Glow”, “A Rustling in the Dark” and “Tea Party”. Exclusively Quilters “Siberian Tigers” and “Barbary Coast”.

Happy quilting
Diana