05/29/2026
Old Quilts
I will never be tired of old quilts and the stories they tell.
I was recently contacted by a friend who came across an unfinished quilt her mother had started, but was not able to complete before she passed away. My friend asked if I knew of somewhere to donate this. I told her I am actively involved in the work of Firehouse Quilts of Colorado, a 501(c)(3) organization, and I would be happy to complete the quilt and donate it to them. (See Firehouse Quilts for more on their amazing work.)
She dropped off a quilt with 6 tumbling blocks hand sewn to background squares. Her mom had started to hand quilt a few inches of the center, but I could see the background fabric was not as large as the quilt top and the batting just barely fit.
I was able to find some similar fabric to extend the back and load this 20+-year-old project onto my longarm to add an allowver swirly quilting pattern. The result was beautiful, and I could feel the love her mother poured into this quilt. I knew I couldn't just give it away.
My friend saw the pictures and agreed it was a piece of her mother that her she wanted to be able to share with her future grandchildren. She made a generous cash donation to Firehouse Quilts instead, and a family heirloom was created.
