Creating a baby quilt for my grandson and lessons remembered.
Little did I know that when I scheduled my writing projects for the end of 2024, I would need a few weeks off to create a quilt. I began with questions like what design my daughter’s friend had in mind and what story would emerge from crafting a quilt.
I enjoyed my daughter’s baby shower more than I thought I would. It was a low-key party centered around eating, visiting, making sure the girls present played well, and creating quilt squares with permanent markers. It was fun making two different squares for my grandson, who is almost here, although when I saw the other squares being created, my art was elementary.
My daughter wondered if I would finish the quilt since her friend lives in Seattle. I thought, sure, that will be fun. I made each of my children a quilt and guided my small group of high schoolers in making several baby quilts for a local charity. I enjoy quilting, but I haven’t done any sewing in the ten years since we moved. A thought tried to push into my mind: where’s the sewing machine? Where’s my sewing things?
Learning how to quilt all over again
I found the sewing machine near the middle of the stuffed garage (boxes from our move and when my other daughter moved in with me nine years ago). The only place I could find in the house where I could put the sewing machine required a few weeks of gathering recyclables and moving them into the recycle bin. But I finally managed to move it all, sweep and clean the floor, but moving the sewing machine required the help of my son.
My son and I moved the sewing machine near the place for the sewing machine and placed it on an old bathroom rug. Then, I cleaned the entire cabinet, remembering the discussion between my son and me about the number of spiders that might crawl out of the sewing machine.
Next, I opened all the packages of quilting supplies I had purchased. Why look for what I’m not sure I still have? Plus, I needed sharp scissors. I opened the batting, spread it out, and began to figure out how to set the personalized squares of cloth into the quilt with the other cloth squares. When I cut the different fabric, I wondered if I should leave a few strips whole in case I needed the extra rows. Scoffing to myself, I continued to cut them into squares.
Guess who needed to add a strip to the quilt after the squares seemed to shrink to more of a hand towel size? Yes, I found myself sewing more squares together into an outside trim.
But now that the quilt is nearly done, I have questions. Is it big enough? Is it sturdy enough? Is it attractive enough? This quilt will need to survive washing and be presentable and large enough for when my grandson grows.
Crafting or Creating, We still doubt our art
The doubt feels familiar. I often ask the same questions in my writing. Did I write a long enough book? Will it stand the test of time? Will anyone buy it? I labor through the same processes of a rough outline, a visual at least in my head, and then slowly writing the story.
The quilt comes together as I sew, add the material for the other side and the batting, and then sew together the edges with binding. I add things to the beginning of each story: the table of contents, the dedication, the title page, and the end pages with a small about-me page.
Next for the quilt is my favorite part. My grandmother once said her time quilting was spent praying for the new baby and the family. The love invested into a baby quilt makes it more precious. Years later, I tell of her time sewing the baby quilt for my children. It is like a visit from their great-grandma.
Now, I get to pray for my grandson and his family as they embark on the journey of family life. I remember the love of my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who have gone before me.
The quilt will be warm and precious, with art from so many friends and family. It will also be cool enough for summer, a light covering at night, or a floor for a tent. It is stitched with love.
John 14: 26-28 The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you. My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don’t give gifts like those of this world. Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful. You were listening when I said, “I will go away, but I will also return to be with you.” If you love Me, celebrate the fact that I am going to be with the Father because He is far greater than I am.
My peace is the legacy I leave to you
Psalm 16:5-11 You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches. My home is surrounded in beauty; You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy. I will bless the Eternal, whose wise teaching orchestrates my days and centers my mind at night.
He is ever present with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand. This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more?
You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave or leave me to rot alone. Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment.
You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy
Matthew 6:24-34 Jesus: No one can serve two masters. If you try, you will wind up loving the first master and hating the second, or vice versa. People try to serve both God and money—but you can’t. You must choose one or the other. Here is the bottom line: do not worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will drink. Don’t worry about how you clothe your body. Living is about more than merely eating, and the body is about more than dressing up.
Look at the birds in the sky. They do not store food for winter. They don’t plant gardens. They do not sow or reap—and yet, they are always fed because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are even more precious to Him than a beautiful bird. If He looks after them, of course He will look after you. Worrying does not do any good; who here can claim to add even an hour to his life by worrying?
Nor should you worry about clothes. Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or weave or sew, and yet their garments are stunning. Even King Solomon, dressed in his most regal garb, was not as lovely as these lilies. And think about grassy fields—the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have no trust?
So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.
