Grandma Rita’s Last Gift

In November of 2018, I was contacted by Amy about a box of quilt pieces she had inherited from her grandmother. She didn’t know what, if anything, could be made from them and wondered if I could give her some ideas and advice. We met, and she wasn’t kidding! It was a smorgasbord of quilt potential. She had a 12 x 18 inch box full of quilt pieces, partial blocks, blocks and even segments of quilts. Her hope was to be able to get five quilts made from what was in the box. They could all be small, but five would allow her give her mother, each of her sisters and herself a final gift from her grandmother.

I brought the box home to see what was possible. This box was packed! I extended my dining room table and started laying out pieces like a jig-saw puzzle; trying to figure out which pieces went together and what was possibly missing from each set. I eventually decided, that with a few minor additions, (mostly for blocks for a Dresden Plate pattern and fabric sashing), I would be able to complete six quilt tops ranging from lap to queen size.

Just look at the treasure trove I was given to play with:

This is what we ended up with after we had made up the quilt pieces in the box:

1. Bowtie quilt 60 x 66

2. Drunkard's Path 59 x 61

3. Twisted or DNA 60 x 62

4. Dresden Plate 90 x 100

5. Grandmother's Flower Garden 80 X 80

6. Amish Dahlia 79 x 104

This was not a quick project. But it is a project that brought lots of love to the family. Her mother cried when presented with a quilt from her mother. Scraps of fabric don't bring joy. They don't last forever. And they are forgotten when they are stashed away in a box somewhere. I am so pleased that I was able to help Amy bring part of her heritage to life. It was a joy to bring these pieces to their full potential and an honor to help this marvelous quilter finish her work. I hope her daughter and granddaughters get years of enjoyment from these quilts.

Amy, thank you for trusting me with your families heritage! I hope the quilts bring your family years of warmth and memories!

Laura

August 20, 2020