Thursday, June 3, 2021

Hard one to let go

      Some quilts have a convoluted history. I have some friends who insisted I try to make a Judy Niemeyer quilt. I chose Sea Urchin. They showed me how to paper piece her way. I bought the pattern and gathered the horde of fabric it took. Loved the pattern, loved the fabric. However, making the top was a nightmare of boredom and slowness. Over a couple of years, I started and put it away repeatedly.
     Finally, I gathered it all up and gave it to the friends who started me on the whole boondoggle. I told them they could finish if they wanted and give it away to one of their charity groups.
     I was totally surprised when they gave it back to me, all finished, and told me it was the hardest one of hers they have ever done (they have done almost all of them). It has been on a hanger in my tops closet waiting its turn to be quilted.
    A close friend of mine has had a reoccurrence of breast cancer (25 yrs. remission) and I offered her a comfort quilt package. First she said no, because she is not fond of quilts, but then she said yes. I invited her to come and look at my tops and pick out one, or I would make one for her. I should have done as Wanda does- pick out three or four- and then have them choose. As I pulled tops out of my closet, she spied Sea Urchin, pulled it out and said that is the only one she liked as it was "graphic". I showed her my ideas for the backing, and quilted it. Boy, was it tough to piece- those paper pieced seams are difficult to penetrate.
     When it was quilted, I had real pangs of regret. By the time I finish quilting, in my mind, the quilt is already given but this time it was different. I loved the quilt- colors, quilting, backing and binding. I washed it and bagged it for the package and gave it away yesterday. It was the hardest quilt I ever gave away. I feel guilty for feeling that way, but I did it and she loves it.





13 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

With all the "work" that went into that quilt's creation plus its story, I can. understand why you have conflicted feelings about giving it to your friend (SO sorry her cancer has returned). May it bring her untold hours of comfort and may her joy help resolve your emotions.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

WOW!! Your friends finished it for you - and you stitched in the ditch of every single spoke - through all of those seams?!?! I can understand why it was hard to give away - and why you feel guilty for feeling that way. I'm SO sorry your friend's breast cancer is back - but SO glad you were able to give her a BEAUTIFUL quilt that she loves. It sounds like it was meant to be - a special quilt for a special friend - ;))

Tina H. said...

I am wondering if you know the fabric name/line of the striped binding?

Joyce Carter said...

Wow! Linda, it is absolutely gorgeous. I can understand how hard it was to give away. Even though you found it difficult to work on, I am sure you were attached to it. Your friend is very lucky to have you in her life and I am truly sorry her cancer has come back. Your quilt will be a much loved treasure.

The Joyful Quilter said...

It's a spectacular gift, Linda!!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Wow - this is a stunning quilt - and truthfully - that is a selfless thing to do , your heart is so big! She will get lots of comfort from it, and I know each time she looks at it - she knows how much you love her <3

Vicki W said...

That is one of my favorite JN patterns and yours is beautiful! Everything about that quilt is a testament to the value of friends.

Pat McDonald said...

It is Beautiful and so like you to give away such a marvelous Quilt.

Gene Black said...

I am not sure I would have pulled that one out of the closet. Or if I did, I would have said, "this one isn't available." You were very generous to your friend. I wish her well.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

It is a lovely quilt. It is hard to give away our quilts, especially the ones that were so hard to make.

Barb said...

Gorgeous quilt! What a gift of generosity to give it to a friend. I'm sure she'll treasure it (and I'm sure you'll miss it)

Mystic Quilter said...

Stunning quilt pattern and colours used. I once had a Judy Niemeyer quilt pattern but after reading the instructions I promptly gave away the pattern! I was so kind of your friends to give back the quilt on completion and so kind of you to pass it on to your friend even though you would dearly have loved to keep it for yourself. I am late reading this I haven't been in a position to read posts for a little while so it's good to be back reading and will catch up on your earlier posts now.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Definitely a gift of love and friendship.