Monday, January 11, 2010

First Quilt of 2010


My first quilt of 2010 was made
for one of my dearest friends, Suzette.

The picture was taken on 1-9-10 just after the funeral luncheon.
I'm so happy my husband caught a smile!
It was a very sweet moment together as we said good-bye to each other.

The name of the quilt is. . .

"Remembering Rachel"


I dropped everything I could to get this quilt sewn, quilted, and bond before we left for California on Thursday, January 7th for Rachel's Funeral on Saturday, January 9th. My friends daughter, Rachel fought Leukemia for most of 2009 and passed away just before Christmas. Rachel had decided to do a bone marrow transplant and fought hard before her body could no longer fight off the infection that took her life on December 23, 2009.

Her family misses her deeply. Her mother said one thing to me the day after she died that prompted me to make a quilt for her. She said, "I feel so empty." I could feel the emptiness that filled her heart and I ached for her. So, I went to work making a quilt that would help fill a bit of the emptiness and be a reminder of the love that's still all around her. The funeral was well attended and you could feel the love everywhere.


Rachel was 27 years old and brought so much happiness to those around her, even when she was at her lowest point. She had so much faith, hope, and concern for others. Many of her friends would often come to visit Rachel. She would listen and always wanted to help her friends, the nurses, doctors and other patients. She often brought a smile to the faces of those that came to cheer her up. The one thing that people will always remember about RACHEL is her infectious SMILE! I've known Rachel since she was a little girl and she ALWAYS had a SMILE on her FACE.


I asked my quilter to quilt an "R" inside of 27 hearts as a reminder of the 27 years that she lived here on this earth. I also asked her to quilt a heart design in each block, sashings, and in the border. I love how it turned out. You should be able to see the Hearts with the R's in them. You can click on the pictures to get a better look.

The quilt pattern is a revised Moda Bakeshop pattern by Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom & Blossom. You can find her MBS tutorial here. I just added sashings, posts and made the quilt a bit smaller and left out the applique. Everything else is the same. It's a great pattern. Go check it out today. You'll LOVE it!

52 comments:

Barb said...

What a sweet story...one that brings tears and sadness for the mother that is left behind to grieve. It is so wonderful that she has you for a friend, one who cares and will listen. The quilt is wonderful!!

Natalia from Piece N Quilt said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I think a quilt is a fabulous gift! I love the 27 R's in the hearts. That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

~Laurie~ said...

What a beautiful way to share your love with your dear friend. I'm sorry for the loss of such a bright spirit. This quilt will surely bring your friend comfort when she needs it most! Wonderful of you to be so kind and loving!

Jocelyn said...

Kim what a beautiful thing to do for your special friend. I'm sure she is hurting and feeling the loss of her precious daughter, but Suzette will feel your friendship wrapped around her every time she uses the beautiful quilt. She will always remember that you love her.

busyascanbe said...

What a beautiful tribute! Nothing is sweet than a warm hug (Quilt) from a dear friend.
What a sweet friend you are.
Debbie

SewCalGal said...

Kim,

I am so sorry to hear about Rachel and my heart goes out to her family and friends. Loosing a child is not easy. I can understand why Suzette said she feels so empty. Part of her just died and the hope of seeing Rachel walk thru the journey of life is no longer an option. That loss definitely leaves one empty. I wish I had magic dust to make it all go away. But my heart tells me the beautiful quilt you made for Suzette will certainly help her heal from this painful loss.

Hugs, many hugs.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Pat said...

The others have already said so much of what I feel. I'm sure Suzette will be especially comforted by the extra little touches you put in this quilt (the hearts and the letter R in the hearts). May Suzette's heart find peace soon......as she struggles to deal with a mother's worst nightmare.

Betsy said...

Kim what a true act of kindness and a lovely momento of a loved one. No wonder you have been gone so long.

greetingarts said...

Heartbreaking. Truly. But what a wonderful quilt and tribute to an amazing young woman. You did a wonderful job putting all your love into that quilt.

Diane said...

I lost a very dear friend a couple of years ago to leukemia. So hard.

The quilt will surely bring comfort, and joy - so bright and beautiful. It was a thoughtful and kind thing to do.

Jennifer said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. The quilt is beautiful, what a wonderful tribute. I think her mother will love it.

Annie said...

I think this quilt is a perfect way to remind your friend of the love all around her. I pray it will bring her comfort at such a dreadful time. Love Annie

Patty said...

There is nothing in the world that compares to the warmth one feels when wrapped in a quilt. Your friend will feel the love of her daughter everytime she uses this quilt. She will also feel the love, and warmth of your friendship. You honor Rachel and your friendship with her mother with this quilt.
Blessings to you and your friend during this time of loss.

Kiwifruit-Shiree said...

how very very sad Kim, there is nothing more tragic then losing a child and at such a young age, but the warmth and love that your quilt gives will surely bring some small measure of comfort to her Mum and family. What a dear friend you are...

jules said...

thank you for sharing... i lost my best friend at 20 to cancer & i know the flood of emotions that comes with it... you are an angel for making the quilt & being a very supportive friend!

amy smart said...

This is so sweet, Kim. Tragedy is such a hard thing, but I'm beginning to understand that it's the glue that bonds us closer to one another.

Hope to see you soon!

The kids said...

What a wonderful friend you are, and what a gorgeous quilt

Thimbleanna said...

What a beautiful remembrance Kim. You're such a wonderful and thoughtful friend. What a very sad story and so heartbreaking for her family.

Sarah said...

Kim, that's a gorgeous quilt. I actually knew Rachel from college, and she was one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

Dawn said...

What a wonderful gift to give your friend. It's amazing a quilt can give such comfort. I am sorry for your loss.

Lori Holt said...

Oh Kim...what a beautiful quilt to remember a beautiful girl...with such a beautiful smile. WOW, she really looks like such a darling. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so glad that your faith in our Father in Heaven will carry you through sad times such as this. What a loving thing to do for your dear friend.
Kim, you are such a kind person. What an example you are to me:)
x
lori

Unknown said...

I am sorry for your lost and the lost of such a wonderful, beautiful smiling friend. You are a beautiful friend to make that quilt for her Mom. God bless you!
big hugz
Pam

paulette said...

What a sad story!!That was such a kind, thoughtful gesture and I love the way you had Rs and hearts quilted into the quilt!! Just lovely!! This quilt will bring her mother great comfort!
Take care and thanks for sharing!
Paulette

Dena said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Rachel's quilt is beautiful and I know it will bring great comfort to her mother.

Live Well With Judi said...

Kim, I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful girl. You have provided such a tremendous gift of comfort that will be remembered and treasured for years. You thought of everything...including the lovely quilting that reminds her momma of daughter. You inspire me. Thank you for sharing.

Nedra said...

Ditto on everything said so far. You are always so generous and thoughtful in bringing comfort to your friends. I know Rachel's family will treasure such a beautiful gift.
My heart goes out to you and her family.

Lynn B said...

Kim what a beautiful quilt you made in remembrance of your friends daughter, how very kind of you. Please send my deepest sympathy to Rachels mum, she was such a beautiful looking girl.

Anonymous said...

Well Kim, what a lovely friend you are. Suzette is so lucky to have you by her sides. Hoping this gorgeous quilt will keep her warm and help her going throught what I consider as the worst nightmare of any parent.

Carol said...

What a beautiful quilt...truly a treasure for Rachel's mom.

Cindy said...

What a beautiful gift of love and compassion, Kim.

I enlarged your photo and found an "R" inside a heart - how very special.

Sounds like Rachel touched alot of lives.

May God help Rachel's family and loved ones find comfort and warmth, just a quilt.

Unknown said...

la manta preciosa pero que tristeza
ya esta todo dicho
mas duro que esto no hay nada,

Material Mary said...

Beautiful quilt and amazing quilting. A gift she will treasure.
Mary

Deanna said...

WOW! Very nice job. No wonder there was a smile to catch.

Nichole said...

This is a beautiful quilt and the R's in the hearts are a special touch. I'm sure it will bring a measure of comfort to her mother. Very thoughtful of you to pull this together for her. Thanks for sharing this with us - reminds me to hug my kids a little tighter today.

Cassandra said...

What a beautiful quilt. That's such a great way of remembering her.

onlymehere said...

I'm sure this will be treasured always. I'm so impressed with your idea of how to quilt it so she would remember Rachel and could snuggle up into it and feel a Rachel-hug. This is so beautiful on so many fronts. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to you and you friend's family.

Micki said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Rachel looked like a sweetheart and my deepest sympathy goes with you and all of her family. You made her a lovely quilt in her memory. It is so pretty!
Micki

Jan said...

My prayers will be with Susette and her Family ... I am so very sorry for their loss. Our Daughter is now in Heaven, so I certainly understand the heart ache they are experiencing. We also received beautiful quilts in her memory; and I can't tell you how much they mean to us, so I know yours will do the same for Susette :)

Nanette Merrill said...

What a lovely keepsake. I think a quilt is the nicest thing to do for someone that is grieving. You can't change it and nothing you can do will make the pain go away but making a quilt comforts the heart.

SewLindaAnn said...

I am so sorry for the loss of Rachel. It was a beautiful thing that you did for her with the quilt, and it obviously meant a lot to her that you were there for comfort since she was able to manage a smile for the picture on such a day.

Purple Quilter Queen said...

What a beautiful tribute to your friend's daughter. I'm sure she will cherish it always. So sorry for your loss. Jenn

quiltingnana said...

what a lovely quilt in memory of a courageous young lady

Unknown said...

Kim, I am all choked up. What a wonderful gift for your friend to remember her daughter with. I am sure she will treasure it forever. You are a wonderful and kind friend to her.

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

What a beautiful way to honor Rachel's life. You are a great friend:)

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Such a beautiful way to remember a lovely person. I just know Rachel's mother will cherish it always.

Blessings, Lea

Kim D. said...

What a beautiful quilt and a wonderful gift to give your friend in her time of mourning. I hope she feels wrapped up in your love every time she uses it. Clever idea for the R's and hearts.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

It's a beautiful, sweet quilt Kim. I'm sure Rachel's Mom will treasure it.

Shari said...

A quilt is just the right thing to hold and hug and cry into... may the pain of loss be eased as the many good memories are shared... so sorry for your loss...

a little bit of everything said...

What a most thoughtful gift for the grieving mother. She is lucky to have such a good friend.

rosie/the fabric shopper said...

What a wonderful tribute. The hardest loss must be the loss of a child. I am sure your firend will wrap the quilt around her to comfort her. You are are indeed a true friend.

Thearica said...

This is a beautiful remembrance to a beautiful lady.

Lisa said...

I have tears in my eyes. How very touching. What a wonderful thing to do for a friend. I pray that God will comfort you all in this time of sadness. I love the quilt... hugs Lisa