Wonders

Using enbroidery stitches to rescue the vintage applique work on the cutter quilt piece worked out nicely, I think. All the other repairs I made will help preserve it for a few more years, too.

The whole time I worked on this piece I had a very strong feeling of being connected to the past, and the person who first made this quilt. The original maker chose a good quality muslin for the background and backing fabric, and quilted it by hand so densely that the batting never had a chance to wad up or migrate -- all signs of lots of experience. They wanted this quilt to last and become a beloved thing (and I think it was, judging by the signs of wear.) I'd guess the piece is about seventy years old.

Following the stitches the maker used as I added my own gave me a lot of pleasure, too, and made me wonder about the original quilt. What did it look like? Was this a birthday gift for a young girl, or a wedding present for a new couple? Or did the maker just make it for herself? How many different people did this quilt keep warm over the decades since it was finished?

As I was finishing my work on the back of the piece, I found a small old bloodstain on top of a row of hand stitches. The maker jabbed herself with her needle and left a little of her DNA in this quilt. Maybe that's why I felt such a strong connection to her.