This elaborately embroidered art quilt is not mine. It was made by my mother Jackie – one of the last pieces she worked on before being abruptly retired from sewing by a stroke last January. Her right side and her speech functions were seriously impacted. Recovery has been slow in coming.
This quilt is so dense with embroidery that it is stiff and heavy from the massive about of thread added. She completed it all but the binding. Now our mother cannot tell me or my sisters anything about the pattern, materials, or work involved. We know only that it was embroidered on the Baby Lock Destiny II.
So that it can be used by one of my sisters, I volunteered to add the binding.
I thought that it would be a simple matter to match the green, but it was not. Eventually I chose a Moda fabric in color Emerald.
It reminded me of a prom dress I made for myself. The skirt was sewn from satin in a shade just about this color. Working on this binding gave me a flash-back to my then-boyfriend and the moment we posed for a photograph at the dance – I think it was sometime around 1969. I seem to have lost the photo.
Actually, sewing this binding on took all my concentration. With all that weight and stiffness, the quilt resisted my efforts to manipulate it through the machine. It felt like I was arm-wrestling a tent.
Finally finished.
I guess the color is a good match.
I wish I could tell my mother about it. At least I will send her a photograph. Perhaps seeing it will stimulate her brain to remember making it.
The quilt itself will go to my younger sister.
Daily Fiber 
What a fabulous work of art. You never see this type of work any more. I know you will treasure it. Thanks for sharing your mother’s special talent.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for commenting.
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What a talent! That’s an amazing quilt with many memories attached. No wonder it’s heavy.
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Beautiful! Best wishes for your mom’s recovery.
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Thank you.
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What an amazing quilt!! Your binding is perfect 🙂
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Wow that’s a beautiful quilt and the binding colour you chose was perfect. I hope your younger sister will treasure it and pass it on to be enjoyed for many life times.
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Yes. Now that our mom can’t sew anymore, we all value her completed works more highly. It’s funny how that works, but I believe it’s just human nature to feel that way.
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It’s gorgeous. I see where you get your talent. So lucky you were able to finish it for your sister.
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She is grateful.
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I’ve never seen anything remotely like this quilt – what a beautiful piece of work it is! The intricacy of the patterns and the sophistcation of the colors – amazing. Strokes are so very hard to live with – for the patient and the family. We’ve watched our close next door neighbor and his wife navigate profound changes brought about my a serious stroke and my partner had a very serious one 5 years ago. He was super lucky (me too!) and regained close to total functioning. You may not be able to know whether your mother recognizes her work if you send a photo but it’s certainly a good thing to do.
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Yes, my mother was a very talented quilter before the stroke. All of us children are so grateful to have some of her quilts. This embroidered piece is highly detailed and nothing like any of her other works.
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