The Quilt Maker

My mom, Sabreen, with several grandchildren who are holding quilts she has sewn for them.

GIFT OF SEWING

My mom has been a quilt maker for most of her life. She learned to sew as a child and taught my sisters and me how to sew, as well. I am grateful for this skill, as it allows me to not only mend my family's clothing, but it gives me the ability to make clothes, as well. I remember my very first piece of clothing that I was able to wear out in public: candy-striped pedal-pushers, or culottes or quasi-capris, for the uninitiated! My my, was I thrilled by such an accomplishment! I remember, too, the sheer joy I felt when I completed a dress for my then two year old daughter for a special event. It even had embroidered detailing!

ONLY FOR THE COURAGEOUS

Although I've experienced the triumph of sewing clothing, I have not dared ventured to make a quilt. Well, I ventured. I just didn't get very far! Quilters are on another level entirely among people who sew! It has amazed and fascinated me to see how my mom plans, executes, and completes these mammoth creations of art. The process is truly a labor of love that includes deciding a pattern, selecting and precision cutting fabric, calculating measurements, and sewing each little piece by hand and machine, among many decisions that must be made.

FAMILY TRADITION

When I left for college, my mom had a special gift for me to take: a beautiful red and white quilt with hearts all over! A precious tradition began. As my sisters went off to college, she lovingly and painstakingly stitched quilts for them, as well. Now that we have our own children she has continued the tradition with her grandchildren. In her pre-production research, she finds out favorite colors and confirms hobbies and interests. She incorporates meanings of names and birthdates and other unique characteristics of the receiver before she begins. She takes inventory of the fabric she has and then looks for just the right fabric and color to compliment the rest and satisfy the vision.

RICH TAPESTRY

Presenting the quilt is part of the gift as she beautifully connects the pieces together with affirmations that celebrate the fortunate recipient. Crafting these quilts and gifting them to her children and grandchildren to commemorate the passage from high school to college is just one of the many ways my mom shows she cares. This demonstration of love reflects more than just a beautiful tapestry; it emanates from the quilt maker's thoughtfulness, discipline, intelligence, perseverance, patience, and creativity.

REFLECTING HIM

A reflection of God's love, too, my mom the Quilt Maker reminds me that God wants to give me good gifts and He is weaving the messy, frustrating, demanding threads of my life into a lovely finished product, as well.

How have you been inspired by a special mom in your life? What traditions have blessed your family? I'd love to hear about it!