The warmth, comfort and security that quilts generate are, quite frankly, priceless.
For some of us quilts have been there from our earliest childhood as symbols of warmth and love – gifts from Mom or Grandma; the quilts that kept us warm and safe for years.
Or, for those of us who are active quilters, our most poignant memories of quilts often involve the first quilt we made, and the events that surrounded it. The hopes, dreams, smiles, and tears that we stitched into each line of that carefully pieced coverlet.
Quilts are Tangible Links to Our Past
Whatever it is, that quilt is a part of our history, a living and impressionistic link to our personal past.
So without further ado, please welcome back our Unique Artist friend, Shawnna Casazza, who’s here today to share her own personal link to quilts that came from her Grandma, a woman whose incredible passion and dedication to the art of quilting still lives on today in Shawnna’s home and heart:
“My Best Quilt Memory“
When I was a child, my house was two short blocks away from my grandmother’s home. Her name was Wanda Morton, but being from the south, I called her Granny. I have many fond memories time spent at Granny’s house. The art of quilting runs as a common thread through my memories of Gran.
Granny was always working on a quilt.
Sometimes she would be cutting out fabric pieces using patterns she made from old cereal boxes. She patiently cut each patch of fabric by hand with scissors.
On my next visit I would see her piecing. Her needle, thread, and thimble were always close at hand beside her favorite chair. Eventually the quilt would take shape and be ready for quilting. Granny would load it onto her trusty lap quilting frame.
That frame would sit in the corner of her tiny living room, waiting for her to return to it after she was finished spoiling me.
Many of Granny’s creations ended up in our home. Some quilts were kept as special keepsakes, while others were in constant use in our daily lives.
Granny’s Quilts are Still Show-Stoppers!
I took the pictures of Granny’s treasured “Lone Star” quilt at the 2016 and 2020 Eureka Montana Quilt Shows. This was a huge outdoor quilt show we used to have in our town every August. The show had over 500 quilts entered on most years. The quilts were displayed on the buildings all throughout town – it went on for nearly a mile and was truly amazing.
That Lone Star quilt is what I consider to be Gran’s best quilt. I loved seeing it displayed on the church in our town’s Historic Village.
What a Quilt Memory to Leave Behind!
Granny’s Continuing He/Art Legacy in My Home
I can’t believe I don’t have any pictures of her actually quilting, but we rarely gathered at her house. (She had a very small house.) All of my pictures of Gran were taken at our house or on an outing.
Like this treasured picture I have of the two of us together about a year before she died.
Gran’s Best Quilting Achievement
I only have one surviving photo of the quilt that Granny considered to be her best quilting achievement. It was an absolutely stunning embroidery quilt featuring the state flowers & birds from all 50 states!
When she passed away in 2018, we draped this incredible piece of art over her coffin.
Now that my Granny has passed away, her quilts have taken on even more significance to me. When I hold one of her quilts today, I remember the months of time, care, and attention that Granny poured into making it. My dear Gran left me many lasting reminders of her love for me through the legacy of her quilts.
What’s Your Best Quilt Memory?
If you were fortunate enough to have someone in your life who was a quilter, or if you yourself are busily sewing memories for your family, please share the story! Your memories – not to mention the fabulous works of art – are far too precious to ever be forgotten.
Too Precious to Be Forgotten
