Friday, February 19, 2016

Hugs: Quilts for Someone Who Needs a Hug

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   


I start quilts for basically two reasons:

    -  The quilt is in honor of a person, perhaps for birthday or wedding.
     - The quilt is just for fun - enjoying the making process as I quilt along with a  BOM or QAL.

Except once.

Back in 2011, however, I started a jewel box quilt and from the very beginning I knew deep inside I was making the quilt for someone.

I just didn't know who.   It was a feeling that kept with me throughout the entire process of creating the quilt top.

And then a very dear friend learned she had breast cancer.

The quilt became Sweet Tea and was gifted to her as soon as I got it quilted and bound.

jewel box quilt

It was amazing really as the quilt was perfect for her.  The fabric absolutely were her.   She is this fabulous person, full of energy and compassion for everyone.  She is also from the south and the name Sweet Tea was in celebration of all of that.

jewel box quilt

I cried when I gave it to her.

My dear friend is doing fine - she beat that cancer.  I don't get to see her often enough but when we do get together, we laugh and pick up the conversation like no time had passed.

Have you gifted a quilt to someone who needed some extra support?  In situations like this, it can be hard to know how to help but leaving someone a quilt - a handmade hug - helps them remember that people care.

Please join me in this month of hugs.

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization you support with your #handmadehug giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

jewel box quilt



Have a wonderful day! Patty

4 comments:

  1. Giving is such a wonderful thing. It's a beautiful quilt, I'm sure she was pleased to get it.

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  2. I know exactly what you mean. Just last fall I had a friend who suddenly faced cancer and the quilt on the wall quickly came together for her. That nudge you feel to have a nice quilt on hand just in case. It's a wonderful blessed thing. And I love your Sweet Tea quilt....just perfect.

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  3. What a beautiful gift, so happy that her story had a happy path from cancer. We are blessed that my mom's breast cancer was caught at an early stage and she is cancer free now. It is a reminder to us all to keep up with those yearly exams.

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