This is what quilting is all about! Last week I got a call from MaryLu in response to my Craigslist add that I posted for my Longarm Quilting Services. The next day she came to my home and she showed me this precious Beatrix Potter Quilt that her friend's mom had made more than 35 years ago, it was intended as a baby gift for MaryLu's daughter Julie who is now 39! We chose a design together and decided it would be neat to make some pillows from the 3 extra blocks she had. Excited by the project I got started right away, part of the project was resizing the pillows and adding fabric to the sides and making the backing. I rushed to Fabric Depot, got the perfect Kona Solid called Seafoam and some amazing Wool Batting and some pillow forms. Next was the quilting, we chose the design Echo of Light, it couldn't have been a more perfect design, it was loose and gave a woodsy feeling keeping with the theme of the Beatrix Potter blocks and it stitched out beautifully. Then I quilted the pillows using a beautiful leaf design by Darlene Epp. I found the perfect binding at Modern Domestic, from Art Gallery Fabric Bound Collection called Coming Home Spring. This was full service quilting at its finest! I made the binding, attached it and hand sewed it. All done in less than a week! But this part is what is really special....
I had sent MaryLu some photos and was hoping she was as pleased with the work as I was. When she came to pick up the quilt and pillows, and the handmade bowl I made for her out of some fabric scraps (something I do for my new customers!) The tears in her eyes said it all!!!!!! She sat down and I got the story behind the quilt which really makes you realize just how meaningful a quilt can be.
MaryLu's best friend since college named Nancy lives in Williamsburg. They have a very special friendship, Nancy and her husband Carl are also the Grandparents of MaryLu's daughter Julie. Needless to say their families have remained very close for years! Julie spent a lot of time with Nancy's family and the Beatrix Potter stories were a big part of their relationship, Julie still has the book series that Nancy gave her as a child.
Nancy's mom passed away at the age of 95 and this Beatrix Potter Quilt remained unfinished. I feel so fortunate to have played a role in the completion of this quilt in honor of Nancy's mom. MaryLu will be suprising her daughter with the quilt and pillows (and bowl) on her upcoming 40th birthday!
Changing lives one quilt at a time........
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