Snuggle Up in Memories – a T-shirt Quilt

My cousin Lisa has been best friends with Rochelle since grade school. They both met their husbands working at McDonalds during high school and have remained very close. In October Rochelle’s husband Rich lost his life in a motorcycle accident. It was a traumatic loss for so many. Lisa and her family wanted to do something to comfort Rochelle as Christmas neared and they came up with the idea of a t-shirt quilt. Trouble was, they had no idea how to make one. I was so grateful to be asked to be a part of this important project.

Lisa, her daughters Kirstin and Carly, and her mom – my Aunt Lois brought over a large bag of t-shirts one Saturday afternoon and we had a lovely time cutting up shirts, fusing on the interfacing, cutting the squares and laying them out on the living room floor. They all caught on fast and we enjoyed the time together.

That week I sewed the blocks together and the following Saturday they returned (Aunt Lois couldn’t make it) to layer the quilt top with polar fleece and tie it. I thought it would be a breeze – I’ve tied many comforters – but I had never tried to get a yarn-threaded needle through a t-shirt/interfacing/fleece sandwich before! It was arduous and not for the faint of heart. I found my free motion quilting gloves helped to grab the needle, and a twisting/pulling action worked the best, but it was still hard work. I was very impressed with how well these ladies persevered.  We got it done and I was able to turn the fleece over the edge to the front, and top stitch it in place before they had to leave.

I wish I had taken a few step-by-step pictures along the way, but I’m sure you can imagine it.

Here’s a picture Kirsten recently posted on Facebook after they presented Rochelle and her daughters with the quilt.

Christmas will be hard for Rochelle and her family, but I’m hopeful our efforts will help to ease her grief and bring her pleasant memories in the years to come.

I’ve found over the years that when I focus on the greatest Christmas gift – our Savior, and worshipping Him – even when my life is overwhelming or out of focus, I can have His joy and peace. May you have that joy and peace this Christmas!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas!