Have you ever had a dream that you didn’t believe could come true, but just felt that you absolutely had to capture somehow? If you’re a quilter today, or if you have a family heirloom quilt – that’s exactly what happened. Somewhere, at some point, someone (maybe you) poured their heart and soul into creating a quilted dream.
Quilts are such amazingly tangible pieces of our past. They hold so many precious things:
- Memories
- Hopes
- Dreams
- Smiles
- Tears
We want to celebrate the memories of quilts, what it is that we love about quilts and why we keep making them, year after year, generation after generation. That’s why we’ve created this new section, “Quilter’s Memory Book,” where we’ll be sharing the most personal and touching memories of quilts and the stories behind them.
Today, we’re sharing the genesis of our own fabric journey, which started with our head seamstress Karyl’s (aka Princess YellowBelly herself) quilted dream.
My First Quilt Kept Me Keepin’ On
“The first quilt I ever made was a desperate act of hope and faith that sustained me through 14 years of doubt and loneliness.
As a young single girl I had moved from the farm to the big city and was living in a one bedroom apartment by myself. Most of my friends were newly married and too busy for me. I hated my job, and since I didn’t own a car at that time, I was reluctant to go out at night by myself.
Consequently, I spent a lot of lonely evenings thinking about my life; the direction I wanted to go, and the goals I wanted to achieve.
It turned out that my one over-riding goal was to be a mother – although there were no prospects in sight. I wasn’t one of those women who attract men effortlessly and so I was struggling in that area (self-esteem and loneliness) as well.
I Had to Have Some Hope
Finally, in an effort to give myself hope for the future, I used some leftover fabric from blouses I’d sewn on the $60.00 machine my parents had given me as a graduation present, to create a quilted dream. I sewed a baby quilt.
It wasn’t anything fancy, just 12 simple squares:
Just a Little Bit of Hope…
- No complicated patterns
- No sashing
- And no name (if you can believe it)
It was in different shades of pink and white because that was what I had and I finished it with a pink satin blanket binding.
Then I Put My Quilted Dream Away
Over the next 14 years I would take it out when I was especially down and lonely, and dream about the little baby girl that I would wrap my quilt around and love. This hope kept me going and kept me focused and on my knees.
One day faith, hope, and the hidden quilted dream found a way and I met Michael.
He was – and is – an answer to my prayers and in the fullness of time I wrapped tiny, newborn Suzanna in that quilt.
A quilt is SO much more than the fabric, thread, and time that goes into making it. In my case, my quilted dream was a visual reminder of future hope. For others it brings back the joy and love of learning how to quilt from someone you love. For others it’s therapy. Whatever memories your quilt evokes in you, I bet it’s a good one. It was for me.
How to Share Your Own Quilted Best Memory for the Quilter’s Memory Book
As you can see, quilting is a much more deeply personal and historical endeavor that you’d think!
What’s your best memory of a quilt? Was it your grandmother’s gift to you? Watching your Mom sew on the kitchen table? A trip to a quilt store? A secret hope that you turned into a piece of fabric art?
It’s easy and fun to share your quilting memories with us, and we earnestly hope that you do:
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