Yes, Please Use

My favorite quilts to make are those to be bestowed as gifts.

I revel in thinking of the person who will receive the gift, the occasion and the fabrics to use. And I have learned to tell people when I gift them a quilt, “Use It!” I want the quilts to be loved (aka used).

Twenty years ago, I was an inexperienced quilter. A few family members received quilts during that era. My son, Ross, was one such recipient.

That quilt has made many moves – houses, dorm rooms and apartments. During a recent move I saw the quilt and my initial reaction was “This quilt is worn. You need a new one.” His response, “But it is so cozy.” It made me happy to know how much the quilt was loved. My next thought was of a replacement quilt.

In early 2020, Moda Fabrics released a collection by Jo Morton named “Lancaster.” It was not a color palette I would normally gravitate toward, but how could I not purchase some of this collection? I bought a Layer Cake’s worth. A Layer Cake is 10-inch squares of the collection with some fabric repetition.

As I thought of Ross’ replacement quilt, I knew this was the opportunity to use the family, er, Lancaster fabric. The Missouri Star Quilt Carpenter Star Quilt pattern would accommodate my Layer Cake of fabric nicely.

Carpenter’s Star is a fairly simple design. The 10-inch precut squares helped simplify the construction. Once all the blocks were made, and placement determined the quilt top went together quickly. With an upcoming birthday I thought it would be extra special to make matching pillow shams. I choose the border and binding fabrics as the fabric for the shams.

Ross loves his Lancaster quilt. He initially said it would be his new couch quilt. However, once he saw the pillows shams, he changed his mind and said the quilt would go on his bed. I would have been happy wherever he decided to use it.

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I appeared on a segment of WFAA Originals in February 2019. Sonia Azad, their Health and Wellness Reporter, interviewed me about my cancer and its relationship to the HPV vaccination.

A couple days after the segment aired Sonia contacted me to say a viewer would like to speak to me. I agreed and called Nancy. We talked for over an hour that evening. She was sure the symptoms she was experiencing were like mine. I encouraged her to see a doctor as soon as possible. She did and was diagnosed with Vulvar cancer.

Nancy and I met in person a few weeks later. We would continue to meet every 4 to 6 weeks for lunch and sometimes dinner (with spouses). Nancy had surgery in April and did well for the next year. In the summer of 2020, she learned her cancer had returned. She would need chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Nancy needed a quilt. My own quilt provided physical and emotional comfort during my treatments in 2017. Since COVID-19 would prevent me from sitting with Nancy during chemotherapy, I hoped a quilt would be comforting.

I had discovered the Chandelier quilt pattern several years ago and liked it for its simplicity. I bought the book, Charm School, where the pattern was published.

I went to Quilt Country in Lewisville, Texas, on a Friday to purchase fabric – bright and bold – for Nancy’s quilt. That evening I cut all the pieces. I sewed the next two days. By Sunday evening, the quilt top was completed.

The following Tuesday I took the quilt top and backing to Ready, Set, Quilt. As always, Tom DeMoss asked who the recipient of the quilt was. I told him about Nancy. That she was loud in a funny way. That she wore red glasses and had a big heart to match her big personality. And that she was about to start chemo. Tom said he would have her quilt done by the end of the week.  

I picked up the quilt that Friday and sewed on the binding Saturday. I delivered it to Nancy the following day.

The Chandelier quilt can be easily constructed using a few shortcuts. Chain stitch all the pieces. Chain stitching means you have the piles of the two pieces that need to be sewn together and you sew continuously. The next shortcut is pressing the seams alternately so the seams can nest.

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Nancy fell and broke her hip weeks before the start of chemo. While recovering from that injury her medical team learned that the cancer had spread to her lungs. It was untreatable and inoperable. Whenever we would talk as she was in various hospitals, she would tell me how she had her quilt with her. It was loved (aka being used).

Nancy passed away September 28, 2020. I saw her earlier that month when I took a meal to her and her family. She was wrapped in the quilt with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels by her side. Whenever I think of her that is the picture I hold in my mind.

I needed my sewing therapy even more during this time of grief. Take care, stay safe and love (aka use) your quilts.