My Mama's Legacy

Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed that I would become a Quilter. That was something old ladies did back in the 'Old Days' with feed sacks or old cut up dresses. I didn't even want a quilt for my bed. Now every bed in my house has a handmade quilt and every usable extra spot has a quilt on the wall, on a rack, or folded to use as a throw for when I sit and watch television or to give as a gift for a loved one. How on earth did this happen?

Well, my Mother was an avid quilter. She didn't really start to quilt until she was the age I am now. She had a wonderful eye for color and pattern. I would marvel as she gathered together twenty bolts of fabric that did not even seem to go together, work her magic and produce such beautiful quilts. I often wondered why someone would take perfectly good material, cut it up into pieces and then sew all those tiny pieces back together. She made dozens of beautiful quilts. She continued to quilt even after her eyesight began to fail. I was amazed as to how she could make those points and seams all match up so perfectly. As she was no longer able to drive, she asked me one Spring day to take her to a Quilt Retreat. As I said 'yes', she said "Then you have to sew". "Oh but I don't sew!" And she responded: "Then you have to IRON !" My goodness, then I better get something to sew. We bought two charm patch squares of 'Texas' prints and I sewed them all together to make my first lap quilt.

We bought a 'layer cake' next and I made a second quilt with her at my side to guide me. We then made plans to make a third quilt for my new grandson. We shopped for cute prints in just the right colors. We were excited to get together to make this special quilt. But before this could happen, my Mother died. I was on the computer with her when she took her last breath. Since my sister is a 'Scrap Booker' and not a Quilter, I became heir to all of her quilt room supplies - sewing machines, rulers, thread, patterns, fabric (even her ironing board and iron)! I brought it all home and set up my own quilt room, placing her picture right behind the sewing machine where I could see her smiling face as I continued her legacy.

I have always wished she were still with me. In the short time we had to quilt together she wasn't able to teach me all she knew. But for every quilt I make I learn lessons of how to do this. I think I have inherited her eye for color and I am pleased with some of the quilts I have made. I am still using her fabric and tools. I have made quilts for every family member and friend. Everyone is amazed at what I have been able to do. During the recent Pandemic I have made over one hundred masks and probably twenty quilts. I love to go to Quilt Shops and look and feel the fabric and plan my next project.

I feel close to her as I work and know she would be proud of me. Who would ever have believed that my first quilt at her Quilt Retreat would have led to this new found passion and lifelong pursuit. I don't think I have a daughter that will take up quilting, but you never know. I can spend hours in my quilt room, planning, cutting, pinning, sewing with such a lovely tangible outcome to share and enjoy. However, I still don't like to IRON!