The Deer Quilt
(for son-in-law)
My favorite time with a quilt is just after its first wash (hand wash, of course), when I'm drying it on the line, snipping little threads and watching the quilting design pop out.
It's similar, actually, to feelings experienced just after the birth of your child. The work is all done, the hullabaloo is over, and both you and your baby have been washed clean and sweet-smelling, swaddled in your large and small blankets, and left alone to get acquainted. Oh, you already know one another very well - so many months you have spent together in this process of creation and growth! Now it is done, and with pride and love swelling your heart until you feel you may burst, you thoroughly examine this new thing, each crease and seam, each point and curve, and caress its incredible softness. No matter where this child or this quilt may go during its lifetime, it will always be a part of you.
If you look for imperfections, you are sure to find them for none but God is perfect. The birthmark at the base of the spine, the elfin ear, Grandpapa's nose... none of them matter. This is the most beautiful child you have ever seen.
We are more critical of our quilts as we note the slight pattern variation caused by the misplaced square or the substitution for fabric that didn't go quite far enough, and always in my creations, the quilting that meandered off into next block when it wasn't supposed to. It can be very disappointing if we allow it - we hope to someday make the perfect quilt! I'm reminded of the lesson of the Amish, who are widely known for their beautiful, exact quiltmaking. They intentionally include a mistake in every quilt to glorify God. It is a visible reminder that only God can be perfect.
How often throughout the quiltmaking process do I say, "Well... there's my one mistake," and a little bit later, "Well... there's my other one mistake." And later: "Well... there's another one." Hallelujah!
It's similar, actually, to feelings experienced just after the birth of your child. The work is all done, the hullabaloo is over, and both you and your baby have been washed clean and sweet-smelling, swaddled in your large and small blankets, and left alone to get acquainted. Oh, you already know one another very well - so many months you have spent together in this process of creation and growth! Now it is done, and with pride and love swelling your heart until you feel you may burst, you thoroughly examine this new thing, each crease and seam, each point and curve, and caress its incredible softness. No matter where this child or this quilt may go during its lifetime, it will always be a part of you.
If you look for imperfections, you are sure to find them for none but God is perfect. The birthmark at the base of the spine, the elfin ear, Grandpapa's nose... none of them matter. This is the most beautiful child you have ever seen.
We are more critical of our quilts as we note the slight pattern variation caused by the misplaced square or the substitution for fabric that didn't go quite far enough, and always in my creations, the quilting that meandered off into next block when it wasn't supposed to. It can be very disappointing if we allow it - we hope to someday make the perfect quilt! I'm reminded of the lesson of the Amish, who are widely known for their beautiful, exact quiltmaking. They intentionally include a mistake in every quilt to glorify God. It is a visible reminder that only God can be perfect.
How often throughout the quiltmaking process do I say, "Well... there's my one mistake," and a little bit later, "Well... there's my other one mistake." And later: "Well... there's another one." Hallelujah!
Back of the quilt, in sun and shadow
Chelsea and Frankie showing how good they'd look
on it, back when the top was just completed
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