Quilt

Maybe Tisra’s blog inspired me…I’m not sure, but I set up my quilt yesterday. I put it in the front room which is technically supposed to be a formal living room area. Since we don’t have a use for a formal living room it has been empty until we can afford to design an office in it for Kris. That will be a while and in the mean-time he is set up in one of the bedrooms upstairs. Once the office is downstairs I will put my quilt in our bedroom which has sufficient room for that as well as all my sewing equipment and supplies. However, the bedroom is now storing all the furniture that will eventually go in the guest room which needs painting desperately. I don’t want to move heavy furniture in there and then have to move it out again to paint so the furniture stays put until then…Oh…I can’t paint until I can afford to buy paint and I can’t afford to buy paint until we sell our house…interested?

The point is…I got the quilt put up and I have spent a little time on it. I really enjoy working on it. It’s peaceful and quiet assuming Owen is playing happily. I can listen to music and sit with my thoughts while accomplishing something of value. I don’t know for certain what I will do with it when it is done. Since it is my first one I don’t really want to sell it. I’d rather give it to someone who would appreciate it or then just keep it. I am not planning on keeping it though.

I have very fond memories of sitting with my mother and grandmothers around quilts. I can remember going to “Sewings” as a child and there would be anywhere from 6 to 12 ladies sitting around the quilt talking and laughing and their work was just beautiful. Those quilts were always donated to the Mennonite Relief Sale. There were other times I sat with the quilters. My mom made herself curtains and bedspread from light blue gingham and several people, including myself, had a hand in the quilting. Many of my grandma Katie’s friends and family got together and made her a pretty green quilt (I believe this was after my grandpa died) and my grandma Troyer (Reubmummy) has never been without a quilt set up in her front room. I would love to be among a group like that again. I’ve even tried to recreate it with my friends here. No one is very interested and everyone is very busy. I am unable to relate fully what the bond and fellowship of quilting is for a group of women. The conversation it can inspire and the unity it promotes. Capable hands, busy with common purpose…creating a work of art for someone’s use and enjoyment. The wonderful thing is that even working on it alone I am content. I can’t describe the feeling it brings me just to look at a quilt in progress. It brings back memories but also inspires imagination. Where will it go…who will use it? Will it be a treasure or a winter workhorse? Will it be hung on a wall or shoved in a box? It could be anything to anybody…but most quilts are loved by someone.

I’m really enjoying mine again.