Tuesday, September 6, 2011

More Sacred Work


 A couple of posts ago, I showed a quilt made for a friend whose husband had died this summer.  She gave me a dozen of his shirts.  This weekend, I made a quilt for each of the two daughters.

One is just beginning her life at college, and the other is entering high school.  Each quilt is 48 x 60".



Each quilt has six pockets.  I found that a 6.5" square works well for these.  They can store momentos from their father...


Or just put their hand in, knowing this pocket was worn right over his heart.  

From the shirt backs, I made the back of the quilt for the mother.  

The shirts went to good use.  There are almost no usable bits left.

41 comments:

Miki Willa said...

These are wonderful. What a special gift you have given to them.

whitey said...

Truly wonderful I recently did this for my Mom with my fathers shirts.

Michelle said...

Those are wonderful quilts -- I can just imagine the memories associated with all of those shirts.

Teodo said...

These quilts are fantastic. How many memories under each piece.
ciao ciao

Sharon said...

You ROCK! These are fabulous and I know they will love them,

Sujata Shah said...

Beautiful quilts with as beautiful purpose! I love the idea of including pockets in memory quilts. LeeAnn, you are so real!

Quiltdivajulie said...

What a blessing you are in their lives . . . THIS is what quilting is all about.


HUGS to you.

beth said...

What a loving thing for you to do. They are just beautiful.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

That is so touching, they are going to love them forever. How nice to be a part of that!

Pokey said...

I've been called upon to do this for a dear friend whose husband was killed this past week. I hadn't considered adding a pocket, I'm so glad you shared that. "over his heart"...man, it hit me!

Alexis said...

These are so lovely and special. I love what you did with the pockets!

Julie Fukuda said...

How very special each one is. I love the way you put them together and the thought that went into the process.

Ann Marie said...

The pockets are fantastic! What a great idea. The quilts look really great, and I'm sure they will be much appreciated.

Helen said...

I cannot imagine a more perfect memorial. I have kept my late husband's shirts for this very purpose. I want to give them to my three sons. Those stars must represent the two daughters, right?

Lynn said...

What special gifts these will be! They are lovely.

meli B said...

Perfect presents to be treasured forever.

Barb said...

What a beautiful and meaningful gift. You really made a treasure that is just the right amount of somber and comfort! Hats off to you!

Clare said...

Fabulous mementos.

smazoochie said...

At 46, I thought I was too young to lose my Father -- these young women were indeed too young to lose theirs. I am glad they will these quilts to keep them warm.

Nancy said...

Just lovely... these will be treasured without a doubt.

Tonya Ricucci said...

oh man, over his heart. so sweet. I would bawl my eyes out.

Chris said...

What a perfect memento, to be able to cuddle with a quilt that used to be worn by your dad - so special. Somber, and sweet, and sacred.

debra said...

I can feel the love: in the shirts before they became "fabric"... in the quilts during the creative, sharing process... and with the recipients, after they receive them. Thanks for sharing.

Kim said...

I love using pockets in quilts....also a good place to tuck a label into on the back.
I love your sentiment of next to his heart, very touching.
How kind of you to make these remembrances for his family.

Happy Sewing

Sherri ~ daintytime said...

Beautiful meaningful work. So simple and so powerful.

MulticoloredPieces said...

These quilts are so subtle and yet the idea behind them is so good and decent and loving. And these quilts will certainly be cherished.
best, nadia

Buffy said...

Beautiful, with a special spiritual feeling.

Mary Keasler said...

Oh LeeAnn, they are perfect. I cannot conceive of anything more perfect. You are such an angel

Em said...

A treasure for each of them. The pocket is so touring and to read how young the children are and the family grieving. What a gift u r to them.

Anonymous said...

So great idea the pocket and to make one quilt for each member of the family. Touching work, powerful too.

Bonnie said...

This is just so marvelous and indeed sacred. love the pockets.
Great job. Bonnie

Marit said...

I love these three quilts. Both simple in design, sober in colors and very powerful in their layers of meaning and comfort.
Keep thinking of the lovely get together we had. It was such a treat! Love your flying geese blocks. I have washed and stashed the thrifted shirts i brought home, for now...
; )

Kathleen C said...

The quilts you have made are truly moving, and they will be treasured.

On another topic, the slide show of your quilts, scrap and liberated, is my favorite of all those I've come across. I receive your posts through Google Reader, but also like to visit here. The tulip quilts are great! Antique quilts offer inspiration to me, as do your own quilts. Thanks!
Kathleen in CT, from Lib-Quilters Yahoo Group

Gayle said...

Absolutely beautiful.

Jenny M said...

These quilts will be treasured forever. What a truly beautiful & thoughtful thing you have done.

Janet said...

I love them, what perfect gifts and the pocket was such a brilliant addition. Congratulations on doing such a wonderful job on them.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

These quilts are beautiful and even more precious with the story behind them. What an amazing gift for these girls to treasure, you are so thoughtful. xo

Vesuviusmama said...

How wonderful and touching, especially putting their hands in the pockets that were over his heart.

BiblioMOMia said...

I just found your blog and your work, and this post and this gift made me sob. I can't imagine losing my father now; I certainly can't imagine losing him when those girls did. This is a gorgeous and wonderful gift, and the real reason why quilts keep us warm.

the girlfriend gap said...

thank you for sharing your quilts. They are an inspiration. we just said goodbye to a friend this week who died of cancer. I am going to bookmark this quilt. she has three children. perhaps I can do something like this for her children. I know it would be a comfort to them. it is amazing that you got all three quilts out of just 12 shirts.

thea said...

What a great gift to give someone who has just lost someone. thanks for sharing.