Carli The Quilter

My journey in quilt making is always a joy to do. Sometimes, its challenging when a needle breaks, but all in all its a great way to record a family's history in one or more quilts for snuggling under and remembering that family good times. It starts with someone reaching out to me. Its a difficult thing for someone to do. Its brings a flood of memories  back to them.  Making a memory quilt is not a transaction. Its honor, repect and gentleness. I've been usually given the briefest of information about how it should look when finished. Most people are just happy that someone will take care of their loved ones clothing in an artistic way. Working with clothing is where I started sewing back among the whispering aspens as a child. I lived quite remote, my family took care of farms and we lived at one of those farms for part of my childhood. Remote living isn't for everyone and I excelled at being alone in the woods, fishing with a pole and learning how to embroider as a means...

I am always honoured to make someone a memory quilt. As time has passed in my quilting life, spanning 50 years. I've become very humbled by each new request for a Memory Quilt. Its always a bit exciting, I let the clothing talk to me, my sense of the spirit in the clothing guides me thru. It's emotional, so let yourself cry a little. The clothing have told me where to go in this design, not finished yet. Take care and thank you for still reading my blog. Happy Quilting, Carli  

This is my most recent make. A memory quilt for a female business owner who commissioned me to make 2 quilts, but then enough scraps were left and a third was commissioned as well. Making memory quilts are a spiritual experience for me. It's a huge honour to take a real person's clothing and make them into a quilt that is a cuddly reminder. A men's wool blazer, skiing clothing, sweats, t-shirts, dress shirts, ties and denim jean's arrived about 12 weeks ago. I have to take time reflect on what I know about the deceased which was very little except how he died. But his life was filled to the brim with love. I wanted to be respectful of his accomplishments and success. The first memory quilt measured app. throw size 54 in. by 59 in. flannel backing from upcycled sheet. Three denim quilts in a row is quite a bit of work.  But now, I've been deep into my hexie quilt for the wedding this late summer. More of that next time. Happy Quilt...