Tribulation of an UFO

[Mary L.]

Here's my dilemna: I have a pieced quilt top, approximately 90x90 that I started for my mom about 10 years ago (yup, thats a decade my friends). It was designed for my mom, in colors that would've been appropriate for her decor at the time. I only finished piecing the top of it about 3 years ago and it has remained folded up on a shelf ever since.
Bad news: Mom passed away last June.
Query: What do I do with the top now? What would you do with it?

[Mary L.]

I had a similar situation .. ...

First is there and aunt or a sister of yours that would love the quilt?


I finished the quilt put it up for a raffle and donated the money in my mother's name to her church/ parochial school she supported. They took the money and bought new playground equipment and a picnic table. They also put in a plaque and small flower area in her honor.

Maybe you can do the same for your mother's favorite charity.

[Diane O.]

If you don't know someone else that would like the quilt, what about cutting it up (I know, I know, you spent all that time piecing it) and using it in a scrapy quilt.

It would be better to use the fabric for another quilt or two, than to just let it sit there on your shelf unfinished and unused. If the colors are not something you or any one you know would like, then you can always donate it to a charity, or send it off for the victims of Haiti.

Diane in Colorado Springs

[Diane O.]

Mom was athiest and didn't believe in charity.
My aunt may like it but I wouldn't give it to any of my cousins as I have no relationship with any of my extended family to speak of.
I don't do "scrappy" quilts nor would I use the quilt as it is since it's a pretty boring design.
I doubt a quilt would do much in Haiti at this time- the more pressing needs are food, water, clothing and medicine.

I've been giving this some thought and think I might just drop it off at the local quilt guild and give it to them (I'm not a member). Perhaps one of them might be able to complete and use it?

[Susan B.]

How about just give yourself a break & some more time? Passing of parents is incredibly difficult, sorry you had to join club. Eventually, you'll be sure of what you want to do with this top.

[Susan B.]

Did your mother quilt? If she did, maybe some of her quilting friends would love to have it?
I got a box of fabric from one of the TQS-girls, Patricia. After her sister Ginny died, she had all of Ginnys fabric...and she shipped some to me. I made a quilt, Ginny's Quilt, and sent it back to Patricia. The journey of making Ginny's Quilt, turned out to become more that making a quilt. It started a totally unique friendship. And, when I visited US last fall, arrangements to meet Patricia was made. Oh boy, talk about finding a sister!
So when you give, you never know what you will recieve...the most magic things can happen starting with a quilt :wink:

[Susan B.]

Maybe hangin' on to it isn't such a bad idea.
Mom didn't quilt much- a few if I remember correctly. She loved to crochet and I have many sweater that both she and my grandma made for me.
Thanks for all the ideas!

[Hannelore N.]

Miles, I'm very sorry you lost your Mum.

I made a quilt for a very close friend some years ago. All the fabrics were selected with her in mind, so was the pattern. Neither fabrics nor pattern really appealed to me. The top was completely pieced when my friend died very suddenly. I folded the top and put it away in a cupboard. I couldn't face to make any decisions at the time. I was too upset. My first thought was to finish it and send it to her daughter. I looked at the top once of twice a year, and eventually felt that I could tackle it. I was still thinking of sending the finished quilt to the daughter. But when the time came (over three years after my friend's death) I could not do it. I have kept the quilt, and I use it. So it doesn't go with anything in my home (shrugging shoulders), but then nothing does here. It's my home, not a show house. I now get a lot of enjoyment out of using that quilt (even though it's all pinks, and purples, and very 'girly').

Give yourself time, Miles, and sooner or later you can deal with that quilt top in a way that there won't be any regrets afterwards.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

I whole heartedly agree with Lorchen. Give yourself time before you give it away and have regrets. Let the Quilt "talk" to you over time.
Cheryl

PS I love the baby duck on your shoulder. Sweetest looking thing

[Hannelore N.]

Howdy,
Here is the see-quilts/quilt-gallery/ quilt in question. Just an FYI.

[Hannelore N.]

Sorry to hear about your Mom. My Mom passed away in August. I have inherited the 60th anniversary quilt I made her and my Dad who passed in December 08 as well as a quilt I made her last January. I find a lot of comfort wrapping myself up in the quilt I made her last January so agree with the ladies who urge you to give it more time and to hold onto the quilt top. You may find the top gives you warm memories of past times with your Mom. Evy or MakeMineFabric

[Hannelore N.]

Very good point, MMF. Thank you.

[Hannelore N.]

Very attractive quilt, Miles. I like the warm colours, and how the cool ones calm down the hot orange. I don't understand why you want to categorize it. It's a quilt. It's very striking. It could be used on a bed, chucked over the back of a sofa, nailed to a wall, displayed in a public place, like a hospital or school, etc....... Enjoy it!

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

When my Mama passed away three years ago, I had just gone and bought a bunch of Elvis fabric to make her a quilt. It was going to be her Christmas gift that year. She passed three days before Christmas and I left that quilt wrapped up for a year. The following Christmas I opened it and just sat there smiling. That silly quilt has become something that always makes me smile when I walk past it because I remember Mama and her Elvis fetish. So maybe you could hold onto it. Later on down the line, you might find that something about it holds your Mom's memory to you.

[Hannelore N.]

Miles, I am very sorry for the loss of your Mother. Your work is amazing. I am going to look into the Art Quilts by Julie Hirota. ( Wish she could be on one of the TQS segments). The quilt you made for your mother seems to compliment the quilts on both sides in your profile photos.