03 January, 2019

"Soft" Quilt, Soft Spot

Four years ago Gregory requested a "soft" quilt for his birthday. I posted about it here (if you would like to read  the back story of just how this quilt came to be). This quilt has certainly been used and loved since his fourth birthday. 💗 After he received his new bed quilt on Christmas Day he asked me if I could fix his soft quilt, he explained that it was coming apart. Actually, there were a few seams that needed repair; but, for the most part, the binding needed reattaching. As you know, it's always the binding that gets the most wear and this little boy can certainly apply some wear and tear to a quilt; that's where the soft part comes in, it applies to me. I have a soft spot in my heart for quilts that are literally loved to death. Isn't that why we're quilters in the first place? What quilt maker reading this wouldn't want a quilt gift to be used and loved until it is threadbare? When he left this with me for repair on Sunday, after spending the weekend here, there was some hesitancy on his part, he doesn't like to be without it. I promised him that I would do it quickly. In the mornings he appears at the breakfast table with his soft quilt draped around his shoulders like it is a piece of clothing or a giant flannel hug. (I know that this is a habit his parents do not like but I didn't have it in me to tell him to take it back to his room!) Gregory, your quilt repair is complete. I hope it will hold up for another four years, or for as long as he loves it. Yes, this soft quilt has certainly created one huge soft spot in this quilt maker's heart; after all, it's why I make quilts.


Life is Good!
 

8 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

In another four years he may be ready for a more grown-up quilt, but this one will always hold a special place in his heart. My son kept asking me to 'fix' his first quilt well into his 30s, though it was the first one I'd ever made, of 1960s dressmaker fabrics of all sorts of loose weaves that pretty much disintegrated, poly blends, etc. Every mistake in the book, but he literally loved it to death. There was no fixing it, and he has several more that I've made for him and his family since.

Quiltdivajulie said...

This is the very best kind of quilt story - and I love the thought of "a giant flannel hug" during breakfast.

LizA. said...

what a great story -- and yes, this is WHY we quilt. This pattern might be just the ticket I need -- I'm taking apart a bunch of shirts to make a quilt out of them for one of our VW friends who lost her husband in November. I'm at a loss what to do with them because they really don't play well together.....

leigh anna said...

Good thing you have enough fabric to make a second soft quilt if need be :)

Debbie Lou said...

This is how we would like the quilts we make to be used. I have 5 brothers and they all have theirs "displayed" on the couch or put away in the closet. I'd much rather have it be used. Kudos to you for bringing life back to his "soft" quilt. Love the quilt and the way it's being used.

NanaNor's said...

How wonderful that your grandson loves his quilt! I made hubby a small lap quilt, really small, for Christmas because he large flannel quilt was falling apart. I've got to make him another full size warm flannel quilt for our winter. So much quilting to do, so little time.
Love your post!
Hugs,
Noreen

Anonymous said...

I would like to use this pattern for the 'gifting' quilts I make, am I right in thinking each rectangle is finished at 6" x 8" ? Am trying to buy the pattern but if I cannot I will 'wing it'. Do enjoy your blog, reinforces the feeling that quilters near and afar are all alike 'under the skin'. Many thanks, Marie.

Janet O. said...

What a sweet story, Mrs. G.
And what is the fun of being Grandma if we can't ignore a rule or two while at Grandma's house?