Monday, June 06, 2016

The Quilt Nobody Wanted

Once, in 2014, during my first attempt at blogging, I made this quilt.

It was fun and easy to make.  It used up a lot of odds and ends that had been sitting in my stash for a while.  I didn't have a purpose for this quilt.  It was made just for the joy of making it.  I was happy piecing it, quilting it, binding it, and adding some big stitch hand quilting.  I just knew there would be an occasion to gift this quilt to someone.

So, I tried to give this quilt away.  Twice.  Sad state of affairs when you can't give a quilt away.  The first time, I had offered it to a friend who had an acquaintence going through cancer treatments.  My friend commented that she wished she had something to give, so I suggested the quilt I had just finished.  She was supposed to pick it up, but never did, and later said she didn't think her friend would like a quilt.  OK.  To each her own, I guess.

A year or so later, another acquaintence was looking for donations for a chairity silent auction.  I offered this cute (I think!) quilt.  She looked at it, but shook her head and said, "No thanks.  It's not right for our event."   Hmmmm.

So, I briefly worried that there was something wrong with this generously lap-sized/toddler sized, pink and brown cheveron, somewhat scrappy but mostly cohesive quilt.  Why didn't anyone love it as much as I loved making it???

I folded it up and shoved it under a pile of stuff in my sewing room.  There it sat.  Poor quilt.

Until its little sister quilt whispered to me as I was putting her together.



A little while ago, I shared Emma's Owls the quilt I made for my niece's sweet new baby.  As I pieced Emma's pink and brown quilt, one of the fabrics felt happily familiar to me.  The longer I sewed, the more I thought about that scrappy chevron that was languishing in a pile.

Well, it just so happens that Emma has a big  sister.  Her daddy has a sweet daughter, Aubrey, who is 5 and lives with them some of the time.  Aubrey has come to several of our family functions, and both my girls enjoy her smart, spunky personality.  She is a joy, and a blessing to my niece, who loves her as a daughter.

Suddenly, it became clear that this quilt had not been lonely, abandoned at the bottom of the pile.  Instead, it had just been waiting patiently there, until its little sister came about, and whispered in my ear.

Now, both quilts live with two little girls who share a room part of the time.  I hope they are all happy together.  I've asked Emma's mom for a picture.  I will share it with you when I get it!



Have you ever made a quilt with no intended recipient, only to find later that it was perfect for someone or some situation?  I'd love to hear your story!

Here are a few more pictures of these two quilts playing together, before they went to live with their sweet girls.






                                                           Linking up this week to:

                                           Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts
                                            Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story
                                           Lets's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
                                           Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation
                                           Crazy Mom Quilts - Finish it up Friday




15 comments:

  1. I can't believe no-one's wanted this quilt till now! Great story with a great ending!

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  2. This is a great story. For the first part I was scratching my head and asking how it got turned down twice?? But the ending more than made up for it. I'm sure both girls will love their quilts. I have visions of living room forts and couch cuddles and that makes me smile.

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    1. Thanks, Tish! I hope the girls get lots of snuggles with their quilts! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Love this story. I have had a few quilts hang around for longer than I thought they would. It is just a matter of time before they find their home.

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  4. Two very cute quilts...glad they found a home. So to get lots of snuggles.

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  5. So glad they have found a home together! Most of my quilts are made because I want to - the recipient generally comes after!

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  6. Sister quilts belong to real sisters apparently! It's almost like the first one knew it had an intended home somewhere in the future and wouldn't give in to anyone else. I'll bet they are happy together, as they should be, Tami. I have made a few quilts, mostly with grandchildren in mind. No sign of any coming any time soon, so they might find another little lamb to cuddle with. (They are both beautiful!)

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  7. Your first two turn-downs certainly had me wondering. So glad the quilt has found a home, where it will be loved!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Wendy! I hope the quilts love the girls and the girls love the quilts!

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  8. How nice, two little sisters get one of your quilts each. I love a happy ending!

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  9. What a sweet story. I am happy to see the quilts both going to their intended recipients. Just perfect!

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