| There's nothing quite like the feel of an old patchwork | | | | grandmother pulled out a patchwork quilt she had been |
| quilt that was lovingly crafted by hand and worn in | | | | working on and asked my sister and I if we'd be |
| gently by countless generations. Anyone can go to the | | | | interested in taking it home and finishing it. We were |
| store and buy a quilt, but not many people ever take | | | | overwhelmed, but thrilled at the prospect of completing |
| the time to learn the ancient art of quilt making.A quilt is | | | | her work of art. She then went on to tell us where all |
| not just a bed covering. A quilt symbolizes comfort, | | | | the different scraps of fabric had originated."This piece |
| warmth, and security, and a quilt made by hand is | | | | is a scrap from one of my maternity dresses," she told |
| cherished even more because of the work that went | | | | me and my sister. A maternity dress that she had |
| into making it.I personally have only begun attempting to | | | | worn more than 50 years before. She had saved |
| learn this time-consuming art. Hand quilting is not for | | | | scraps from many different pieces of clothing she had |
| everyone, because it requires a lot of patience and a | | | | worn over the years. Each piece had a meaning for |
| fine attention to detail. One of my first quilting efforts | | | | her, and she had saved them knowing she would |
| was a small doll quilt I made for my daughter when | | | | someday make a quilt out of them. She was, piece by |
| she was about 5 years old. It wasn't too bad for my | | | | piece, sewing together memories from her life. She |
| first try. My daughter wasn't very impressed, however, | | | | was tired of quilting, though, and she would never |
| and I was absolutely thrilled when years later our cat | | | | make another. My sister and I took the quilt home and |
| adopted the quilt as his favorite napping companion. I | | | | started adding pieces of our own fabrics to the quilt. |
| decided I'd rather see the cat enjoy the quilt then have | | | | We quickly tired of the activity, however, and the quilt |
| it end up in a box somewhere to be totally forgotten | | | | ended up in a bag in the closet (where it still sits |
| (he's now having to share the quilt with our new | | | | today).Every once in awhile I pull the quilt out and look |
| kitten!).I envy people who have the patience it requires | | | | at it, thinking I really ought to finish it. I know that in time I |
| to quilt. I am determined to one day make my first | | | | will, and it will represent at least four generations of our |
| full-size quilt. I first became interested in quilting when I | | | | family's history. I wish we could learn to live our lives in |
| was fairly young. I had a grandmother who liked to quilt, | | | | a way where every day we are striving to |
| and I will never forget a conversation I had with her | | | | consciously make family memories that will stay with |
| one day that will stay with me forever.My | | | | us forever. Whether she knew it or not, that is what |
| grandmother made many quilts in her day. I was never | | | | my grandmother was doing, and I wish to take that |
| fortunate enough to receive one of them (she was | | | | idea and consciously put it into place in my daily life, as |
| my grandpa's second wife), but I was lucky enough to | | | | much effort as it sometimes seems. I know tomorrow |
| see some of her handiwork displayed in her home. | | | | I will be glad I did.Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel |
| One time when I was about 13 or 14 years old my | | | | Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. |