The piles have dwindled to scraps, a few odd shapes here and there. Several of the piles are gone except for a small bit that was cut off when squaring up. The blue almost didn't make it and every bit of the blood strip was used.
Even now, I am sitting here looking at the quilt picture in awe. My brain still see's a pile of uniforms. Struggling to accept the fact that it is now a large quilt, too big for any floor space in my house without moving furniture. I had so much fun making this quilt. I felt so blessed to be the person selected to work with someone's memories.
Because, memories matter. Over the years, I have put together lots of t-shirt quilts. Some containing memories of high school, and entire lifetimes, some containing memories of dance groups and band trips. Some were more intense, the memories of a loved one gone far too soon. I have made one for a dear friend that lost her son far too young and tragically. Our own son-in-law when he passed away, I didn't have much, but I put them together for his youngest daughter, our precious grand daughter. Using the flannel sheet that he slept on to fill in any gaps.
Each time I tackle one, it is because memories matter. Every time, I find myself wrapped up in the energy of those memories. This one was absolutely not any different and at the same time it was light years away from all of the others.
As someone whose life is filled with veterans, there have been so many members of my own family, my friends, my circles these areas are filled with veteran's and active duty members, it was deeply personal for me. Now, I am not incredibly familiar with Marine ranks etc, so some research had to be done. I wanted to give it the honor it deserved. And it needed to be as perfect as I could make it.
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| The start... |
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| waiting for the cuts... |
I'm sporting a few burns from the iron, those creases are serious business folks. Jack and I spent many quality hours together. And a minor change was needed, note to self ask more probing questions next time, and yes I do pray there is a next time. But at the end of the day, as I put the final stitches in last night and cleared space to take pictures, I prayed I had done justice and an equal service to the young man's memories.
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| hello Jack, nice of you to stop by 😝 |
I created the pattern from a mix and match of different ideas. It's the first time I've actually made a queen sized quilt without a pattern or solid idea. My sketchbook is filled with drawings, thoughts, plans, colors, measurements and then all sorts of new thoughts on the project. The changes when I didn't like the path it was going, the bits and pieces needing to flow just right. My sewing room currently looks like a tangled web of strings, frayed bits, little odd shapes of fabric and tons of scraps, a buttonholed pocket or shirt lining, a jacket collar or two, a shirt cuff or pants pocket, they are everywhere, mixed together with my ordinary projects.
Tomorrow I will clean it, today, I will treasure the gift of making it.
As I handed it over to the young man I made it for, I was a bit emotional. I wanted it to be perfect for him. I wanted the memories to shine through. I think I did okay. I loved listening to him telling us about each patch, the different uniforms and where all they traveled to and from. To know he served in areas that are still hopping and not exactly friendly made my heart sore. I've had loved ones in the same area. I've seen the damage it's done to them.
I hope the quilt is something that will make him smile in the years to come. I feel so blessed to have been the one selected to create his quilt. I named the design "Tour of Duty", because that is what was reflected in it. Other than a few minor bits, that quilt is his tour of duty. Forest, desert, dress... those words all came up as we looked at it. The well worn ones, the extra's. The comfort found in the softness of the well-worn. Listening to him and Hubs chat, two veterans sharing perspectives from two very different wars, it was a bit overwhelming. How do you say thank you appropriately to those that risked everything?
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| work in progress... I was a bit obsessed... |
I'm picking up my needles for a moment, I want to finish up the green sweater that I had started a bit ago. Before long I will start on another quilt for another veteran. A slightly different one, more along the lines of the one I made for my uncle. I hope to do many more for veterans. Honestly, as much as I love t-shirt quilts and the like I love creating quilt patterns from memories. I will never stop making random quilts because they make me smile. But I feel an overwhelming need to create more memory quilts.
Ironically the first memory quilt I ever started was over 40 years ago. It's still not finished or quilted. It is in my sewing studio, waiting. It is pieced from the remnants of all my daughter's clothing that I made her when she was small. It was before I knew much about quilting, the bits were cut random, traced with ink pens and I sure didn't know anything at all about a quarter inch seam. Who knows maybe 2027 is the year it gets finished. 2026 isn't going to happen, but maybe I'll be brave enough next year.
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| note my OSHA approved stool for taking pictures... |
I think I might actually have to start advertising. How else will people know that I am able to put their memories together into something beautiful for the future, that they don't have to stay in a box or bag in the basement or attic. How will they know that most fabrics can be used in a quilt, just really depends on how washable you want it. Heck this quilt even has a square that came from his duffel bag.
The sweet woman that took a chance on me didn't have a fancy website to look at. She had some pictures and my words. And yet she trusted me with precious memories, a gift for someone that she cherished enough to want it made.
I wish Hubs still had his uniforms, I am sure they would've made an incredible memory quilt. I would've loved to make it to thank him. Sadly, his are lost to time and pain.
Pretty sure I will be able to sleep tonight. The quilt is with it's owner, the memories are safely home. I have some plans for the future, plans for more quilts for veterans. So many plans. But for now, I simply need to let my fingers rest, clean up my notes, and maybe tonight I will dream of the next quilt in the que... it's for an air force veteran.
My needles are waiting, ya'll know me, I'm never still long.
And to the sweet couple that trusted me with your memories, thank you. It was such an honor.
much love, b
