Quilts for the Generations

Many of us have memories of family quilts, those made by our mothers or grandmothers. Inspired by our grandmother, my sister began a Dutch Doll quilt-top when she was eight years old and worked on it for years.  Only recently she put her quilt-top into the hands of an accomplished quilter who finished it, enabling my sister to present it to her daughter.  It is heartening to see that some of the daughters (and maybe sons) of the quilters who have been part of the quilt show at AUUF are now taking up the art.  

But quilt appreciation can be passed down, too.  My grandson Nathaniel is not quite three, but he was intrigued by the colorful postcard that advertised this year's quilt show.  Even before the quilts were hung in the church, Nathaniel and I started noticing quilts--on beds, hanging on walls. When the quilts went up inside the sanctuary, Nathaniel and I went on a mission to find the quilt that is featured close-up on the back side of the postcard.  We would stand in front of each one and I would hold the postcard up to the quilt.  As we scanned each one for matching scraps of fabric, both of us would "ou" and "ah" over the pretty colors and patterns we were seeing, even if it didn't match the card!  We did finally locate the one that had been photographed, but the real pleasure of the search had been the seeking and enjoying a close look at the art and craft of each quilt.  I don't know if Nathaniel will remember this, but it's a memory I will cherish and count as a gift from the quilters and those who have brought us this show.  Many thanks!