One of the quilts that I recently finished up was one that had been languishing in the WIP pile not because I was bored with it but because I was not emotional ready to deal with finishing it.
The quilt was started in 2015 while I was recovering from surgery after an ectopic pregnancy. For the last year or so I was not ready to deal with finishing the quilt up… then one day I looked at the quilt top and decided it was time. I bundled it up and sent it to my friend Kazumi to finish up…
The quilt top was made using a paper piecing pattern that I designed…and making the top was a slow and deliberate process for me as I healed. If you are interested in reading more or using the pattern you can follow the links to my earlier posts.
This quilt is our new couch quilt and my new comfort quilt. I have not kept many of my quilts but this one will be treasured. I look at it and see all the pain but also all the strength it took to keep going.
I also see lots of little treasured bits of my stash, including some fabrics which were bought decades ago when I started quilting.
I am really proud of this quilt… it is not my most creative masterpiece -my most creative quilt to date is my Michael Miller challenge quilt I think – but as I made this quilt piece by tiny piece I stitched myself back together. I am proud of that.
And I could not have done any of it without the support of my wonderful quilt holder and partner in crime. Thank you Mr Wombat.
WOMBAT QUILTS 
That is a beautiful quilt. The memories wrapped up in a quilt are so important aren’t they? Fantastic job.
The memories really do add another element to a quilt. I do not always remember this but I do want to put more thought into some of my quilts.
Lovely and heartwarming. You’ll always cherish it
I’m so sorry for your loss. Hope the beautiful quilt holds good memories. – Julie
Thanks Julie.
Amazing quilt! It is one to be treasured for its role in your healing process, as well as being a beautiful quilt! ….Because of following your blog, and seeing all your awesome creations, I have now started to use a lot of black and white fabrics in my quilts…not sure I would have gone in that direction if not for your inspiration! Before seeing how you use b/w fabrics, I would tend to walk past that section in my local quilt shop…now, that is the first place I head…..Many thanks!!
Black and white is a fabulous neutral combination. I am glad I have converted you.
I knew there was another reason that I chose to use your block pattern when I started a quilt for myself. I too, had an ectopic pregnancy early in our marriage. It was a hard time and in the mid ’70’s so surgeries were much different then. WE do heal and we do go on and I was able to have two children and raise them and now have two grandchildren. I do feel your pain and fully understand why it took time to get back to your quilt. I had a cancer scare a year ago and I too have a quilt top set aside till I”m ready to finish it from that experience. Oh, and I love your block and thank you again for sharing it.
I am glad I am not the only one that has struggled emotionally with finishing a quilt. It felt strange to be so resistant to doing something I do every day. I hope you find your way back to your top too.
Wonderful quilt! Bravo!!
Thank you.
So sorry to hear of this sad loss. The quilt is so beautiful. Don’t give up on being a Mom if that is your wish. Love to you and to Kazumi for helping you through this loss.
Thanks Joy. The chance for motherhood has passed me by but it has left me with lots of time to quilt!!
Such a heartwarming post Cath. Even though therevus sadness, you will br wrapped in happiness. A beautiful quilt.
Thank you Sharon.
Glad you are feeling well enough to finish this up. A beautiful and inspirational project. Best wishes.
Thanks June. It was a relief to finish this project up.
It’s a beauty, and particularly special because you designed the block and it contains so many treasured fragments of fabric. It’s also worth remembering how often we sew our feelings into our quilts. The one I sleep under every day contains a broken relationship, lost job and breast cancer. But I wouldn’t lose it for anything. I’m glad yours is now giving you comfort in another way, in the light of day 🙂
Thank you Kate. I am now onto butterflies, as there is an approaching deadline. 😜
Hurrah! Do you have dates yet? Only I’d love to be able to catch up with you both when you’re here 🙂
I am glad you found the strength to finish yet another step in your healing and such this really beautiful quilt. Virtual hug.
Thanks for the hug Melanie. By the way I have been loving your improv work on Instagram. You have been inspiring me to do some more improv quilts.
I remember your original post about your ectopic pregnancy, and I thought of you frequently after experiencing a miscarriage of my own a while later. Though I knew it was too soon to make plans, after finding out I was pregnant I had spontaneously purchased a fabric bundle for a baby quilt. It was hard to establish a new relationship with that fabric, as overly-dramatic as that sounds, but I didn’t want it to become too precious, so I eventually sewed it into a mini quilt that most other people glance over but which for me resonates. All this to say: thank you for sharing your experience. It can be a lonely place, but you are not alone.
Thank you Amber. It has surprised me through this process how many women I know have miscarried but said nothing about it. As I have shared my story they have felt comfortable enough to share theirs. It is strange how silent we are about these things but when we talk, how much comfort we get from knowing we are not alone.
Often, the most emotional and hardest parts of our lives ends up creating some beautiful beginnings. Life is an endless cycle and I see great beauty that came from your pain. You are a stronger, more fabulous person today than you were when you began this project. Embrace it all!
Thank you Kathy. I am trying to embrace the ugly with the beauty.
As always, great job!!
Thanks Nancy.
Such a touching story and beautiful quilt. I think sometimes we tend to forget the healing power of quilting.
You are so right Marie. I have seen the healing power of receiving a quilt but had forgotten that the process of making a quilt has its own power.
Pretty quilt, love the brights set against the black and whites.
How true that working on a quilt (or two) during a traumatic period in your life brings all that back later, and how far you’ve gone since then. I just went through a health scare – possible ovarian cancer, and I made and finished the first quilt at the beginning of the process. The second quilt I’m still working on, all hand work, since I’m recovering from abdominal surgery — thankfully, its not cancer. At least I hope, as I don’t get the pathology results till Monday at post op, but so far, no signs of the big C. I am keeping both of these as I truly did become stronger as I went through the whole experience, but didn’t see that till looking back over the past few months. These two quilts are very precious to me….
I admire how you lived through your experience by acknowledging it, giving yourself time to heal, and then creating something beautiful from it. Bravo on a life well lived.
Thank you.
I’m proud of you too. Thank you for sharing your very emotional experience. The quilt is beautiful and I hope it feels like love every time you see it.
Thanks Marjorie. I do feel the love I sewed into it when I snuggle under it.
It’s beautiful! So colorful and pretty. I think every quilt we make takes us back to what was going on in our lives at the time. How wonderful for you to have finished this quilt and come full circle after such a hard thing to go through. It was brave of you to share something so personal and open your heart to others who may also be going through a tough time.
Thank you. I must admit the sharing thing is not easy for this Aussie/British hybrid but my US based friends have been forcing me to open up over the last couple of years and I am liking the results.
The quilt is lovely, beautiful colours, I love the scrappy background, and your own design too. Some things in life take a long long time to accept, I won’t say come to terms with because some things you never do. However, you have just taken a big step in the healing process, well done.
It’s beautiful and worthy of all the comfort it gave and strength it absorbed while you worked on it
aw ❤ I love the colors and the pattern. Glad that making it – and now using it – has been helping you feel better.
Blessings are sent your way for a healthy path ahead. The quilt is super special as are you! Devine timing is just that. At 60, through much loss, I have seen the joy and healing that our arts bring us. Keep creating, have faith and know that you bless so many with your beautiful creations, words and story.
You have had quite the journey. I am sorry for all you have gone through but proud you survived and are moving forward. This quilt is lovely. Well done!
You have created such an amazing treasure ! Quilting helps us heal. By showing us that there is beauty all around us, we can move forward to embrace the future and treasure the memories of the past. So much love is wrapped up it this creation. It just shines through .
It’s beautiful and thank you for sharing the story of your courage behind it. In a similar situation 38 years ago, I became fixated on my garden and planted and tended it rather intently for many months…and it helped so much!
It is beautiful
What a cheerful quilt! I keep saying that quilting is a journey, and this quilt says you didn’t give up. It will be there to hug you when you need it.
I’m so glad you are back, and I’m touched by your experience. I hope your beautiful quilt will always wrap you in healing and healthy warmth.