Recently I came across this snippet about kids quilts, and Fiona (the author) agreed that I could share it with you.
"My Great Grandmother, whom I called Nan Sax, made each of her 31 great grandchildren their own kids quilt.
Nan Sax has been gone for over twenty years now, but the quilt she made for me is my treasured childhood possession, it is something tangible, that reminds me of the time I spent with her and it symbolises the love she showed, not only to me but to all of her family.
Growing up, Nan Sax was a perpetual traveller, she spent her time visiting relatives and I always looked forward to her visits. Sometimes she would stay for a week, other times a month. Her way of helping our mother was to peel the vegies every night for dinner, make pumpkin scones for afternoon tea and to have her latest kids quilt project out on the kitchen table ensuring none of her posterity missed out.
Dinner time would be spent with meals on laps in front of Television while Nan Sax cut, stitched or pieced together her prize.
Looking at my quilt now, I feel that I can see her personality in it, the colour choice, the block style, the way she stitched the binding. All these things characterize my Great Grandmother, her individual worth I feel is now preserved, ready to share with my family.
My children, never had the opportunity to meet Nan Sax but I hope they see her personality and feel her love in the kids quilt that she made for me."
Reading this makes me realize how valuable quilt making is. As I see my own kids snuggle up under their quilts of an evening I am glad that I found the time to make them each a quilt. I know they will always have fond memories of it as part of their childhood.
It is my hope that there are many more "Grandmother Sax's" spreading their quilting love to others, because I know their efforts will be long remembered and treasured for years to come.
Click here for a peek at a special kids quilt to make.