Well I just responded to a couple of ads on Craigslist for some unfinished quilt tops, hand stitched. I apparently can't pass these up, cause I never do. I have had the "opportunity" to complete so many quilts that I sometimes wonder, "Do people make quilt tops just for the experience of making quilt tops?" I know that Bonnie Anderson loves to make them and therefore it works for me, cause I love to quilt them, but what about those ladies out there that have made these tops and for one reason or another they get "sold". It makes me a little sad that someone put so many loving hours into making something for their families or themselves to just let them go.
On one occasion I was checking over some quilt blocks that I had picked up from an estate sale. The blocks and a couple of unfinished quilt tops were being sold by the new wife of an older gentleman. He said, "my wife was obsessed with quilts, now that she has passed, I just want them gone." I am thinking he has earned himself some negative points on the other side, what about you, would you sell them, give them away or just let them go or keep them, cherish them and appreciate the work that went into them? On the occasion that I was examining these blocks, one of my daughters came in the house, spotted the blocks and went on and on about how lovely they were, (I didn't happen to agree, they were nice but not my style) and how wonderful they felt in your hands, (that I could agree with). Well I finished the blocks and passed them on to that same daughter at Christmas. She and her family were thrilled and I am told by her children frequently that they love to cuddle under the finished quilt. I think the original piecer would be happy, don't you think.
My thoughts on quilts is that they are physical representation of the love and affection that is showed by a parent or loved one. Each time that they are used they give off a little of that love and remind the user that someone cared enough to work a little harder just for them. I have quilted for most of the last 36 years, since my first child came along. Some years more than others, and I have a very large family, 9 children and 18 grandchildren so far. My second son, who you will of course hear more about, but later, told me several years ago that "his quilt" was wearing out and needed a new. At the time he was well into his 20's, on his own, with a beautiful wife and doing just fine for himself. Well that Christmas was my first experience with Walmart, found a great looking quilt for $30, said to myself are you crazy you cannot possibly make a quilt for that price and a quilt is a quilt after all. Boy was I set straight. Right out of the gift wrap, he said, you didn't make it? No but it is a quilt and you said you needed one. Wrong. He never used it and continued using the one that he had had for over 10 years at that time. We won't do that again.
It is crazy tho to look at the quilts that you can find in the stores and catalogs. When I decided that I wanted to make really intricate quilts, quilting with all the feathers, micro stipples etc, I happened to be looking through the JC Penny's catalog, there was one for under $100. A little discouraging, cause that kind of quilting takes many many hours far too many to let go for $100 not counting the fabric, thread and batting.
Well these are just thoughts that I felt the need to pass on. Hopefully I will either get the quilt tops that I found or someone else will that will love them. Hope you are happy, with love in your hearts. I have a couple of quilts that I just finished but trying really hard to get better pictures of them to post so hopefully will be able to do that soon. Till another time, go with love in your hearts. Sandy Wilkinson
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