Making a quilt for someone special is always a treat. I think about the person while I sew the pieces together, and I imagine their reaction when they see the finished quilt. While I was working on this quilt, I remembered the one and only time I met Nan Shortland. (Nan is what her grandkids call her, I actually have no idea what her real name is!)
Many years ago Nan Shortland came to Washington state from Perth, Australia to visit her daughter Debbie. Nan Shortland had come for a visit, and while she was here she did some hand work that Debbie proudly showed me. You see, Nan Shortland is somewhat of a wedding dress rock star in Perth…she’s made dozens and dozens of wedding dresses over the years, maybe even hundreds! Her talents and skills were widely known and sought out…and were only matched by her genuine kindness and sweet disposition.
It wasn’t until I was almost finished with Nan Shortland’s quilt that I remembered her skills as a seamstress…and then the panic set in!!! You all know how I quilt!!! I don’t pin, I don’t iron, I don’t use a pattern…I wing it and then hope for the best! As far as I’m concerned, that’s the only kind of quilting there is, fly-by-the-speed-of-your-machine-quilting!! When I started to think about Nan Shortland seeing this quilt – perhaps with points that didn’t match, perhaps with a bump or two in the corners, perhaps…oh who am I kidding?!?! Her quilt was FILLED with mistakes!
My panic was not long-lived…because I also remembered Nan Shortland is in her late 80’s…and one of the gifts of old age is poor vision…so my missing points, my crooked corners, my teensy uneven borders would not be noticed by Nan Shortland - and that gave me great comfort! Age is a great equalizer, especially for quilters!!
Well guess what...Nan Shortland's vision is not all that impaired yet she loved the quilt, even with all of it's imperfections. And that sums up Nan Shortland right there, she loves everything and everyone, even us imperfect quilt makers.
Nan Shortland's quilt is a lap quilt - made to go over the end of her bed. Debbie bought the pretty light blue comforter for her mom's bed but she bought a huge size. I cut it down for her and made some pillow shams with the extra fabric - I think it turned out pretty cute! This pic was taken in my workroom though, just tried to get the idea of how it would look.
I hope your quilt keeps you warm Nan Shortland, for many, many years to come - it truly was made with love.
