Quilting and Patchwork

Making Quilts for Grandmas

by Mary Emma Allen on July 14th, 2006

My daughter made quilts for both of her grandmothers to comfort them in nursing homes. And they were very different quilts to meet the needs of each grandmother.

 My mother had Alzheimer’s so didn’t really notice the pattern.  My mother-in-law wanted a small quilt to hang on a particular wall in her suite.

So we decided Mother would enjoy a lap quilt most, made of soft fabrics.  We actually used patchwork printed fabric, filled it with thin batting and backed it.  Then we tied it.  This was well used and worn when Mother passed away.

The quilt hanging for Mum’s wall consisted of four star blocks (12″ each), separated by sashing, then a border all around and backed with a print fabric.  Beth machine quilted this.

The star pattern was an Ohio star variation because Mum was born in Ohio.  She lived there until after the birth of the first three of eight boys.  (My husband, Beth’s dad, was one with an Ohio birthplace.)

When Mum died, the quilt was given back to Beth.  She surprised me with it as a Christmas gift that following year.  I now have it hanging on the wall of my study in memory of Mum and our quilting family.

Quilting gifts for family can include so many memories.

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POSTED IN: General Quilting/Patchwork, Memories