"Q" is for Quilter - of course!

Pale winter sunlight comes in through the window and touches my Grammy's quilts. There are two that have survived and they both are normally folded and out of direct sunlight but this morning I have brought them down from the shelf to visit with them once again. One is a Double Wedding Ring, made for my parents when they were newly married in 1943.

Over the years, it received much use and washing. It was not intended to be packed away in a trunk. Sections of the rings have disappeared but the quilting stitches have held up well. The second quilt is appliqued - not sure of the exact pattern name - it might be a version of the Dresden Plate...perhaps a Laura Wheeler design??

I don't recall if this was made for a special occasion. It is still in good condition and I feel it did not receive a lot of use. Distant memories tug at me when I look at it - a few of the little plaids remind me of dresses that were worn when growing up. If I had to date this particular quilt, it seems to fit into the early '50's. There are no visions imprinted in my mind of Grammy quilting - I can only imagine. I  do recall that she was a prolific seamstress and used a treadle sewing machine for years. Even as a young adult, I eagerly wore a gorgeous shocking pink wool suit that she made for me from a Vogue pattern. Grammy was born in the 1890's and went through the Depression Years as a wife and mother to 3 children, my Dad being the only son. Dad says he can remember shopping with her in Martinsburg, West Virginia where they lived. There was a department store that offered a wide variety of merchandise, including a Notions section with a huge selection of buttons. Dad states that it seemed like Grammy would carefully examine each and every button on display while he would fidget with typical little boy impatience.

Other than her family, there were two things in her life that defined her as a person - her strong Christian faith and her love of sewing. She experienced some difficult times throughout her life and I believe making quilts brought her a measure of peace and comfort.

From French Canadian stock, my maternal Grandma (Wisconsin) made simple tied quilts with wool batts to warm the12 children in the family. She was more concerned with usefulness although I have heard she created endless yards of tatted lace in her "spare time."  I don't know of any quilts that remain...But evidently, quilting genes were passed on and I have become what is known as a "quilter." There is a picture in my mind of both Grandmother's in Heaven - arms linked and shaking their heads - saying -"look at that Granddaughter with an entire room devoted to nothing but quilting...in all our born days, such a sight."

For much of the year, my days revolve around this passion. There might be a brief period during the summer months when the garden beckons and intense sewing gets pushed to the back. I cannot imagine being without this way of life. There are days when I eat, sleep, dream and think of nothing but quilts...one could say it is an obsession, but there are far worse things to be addicted to in this world. A project that has me stumped or so excited as it progresses has often kept me awake at night...tossing and turning. At one point in my journey, quilting took me into the world of starting up a shop. It remains one of the most satisfying things I have epver done. But what I took away from that was something far greater...friendships formed - true and lasting. Because all quilters speak the same language and totally understand each other, even when there are no words, the bond is made and you are forever linked. The world of quilts has led me to Australia, the AQS show in Paducah, Kentucky, a number of quilt markets to purchase inventory for the store, Guild bus trips, Liberty Ladies trips with sister quilt history buffs and more little road trips with buddies than I can count.The last two years, through blogging, have opened a whole new avenue and online friends.
Whatever the reason we quilt, once bitten, we fall hard. Is it the creativity, self expression or the love of color? Is it the knowledge that while those quilts are being made, each stitch holds a private thought, a prayer, a wish or a dream? It is all of that and more - I am a Quilter and that has come to define me.

"Q" is the letter of the week over at Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. Be sure to visit all the other "Q" postings from the wonderful blogs listed.