Heirloom? (posted by Ann)
I washed the quilt that Grandy gave me today, and hung it out to dry on the back porch. It got me started thinking about what qualifies something as an heirloom, because much as I love this particular quilt it's - well - it's a crazy quilt made of corduroy, and it is backed with leopard print corduroy, and it was quilted by tying little knots in yarn, and face it no one is ever going to say it's gorgeous.
But I love it unreasoningly because Grandy made it for me, and Steve loves it too. It has been cuddled with since I was what - 6? 40 years!!
Maybe none of us should worry so much about what the thing we're making looks like, and concentrate more on the love that goes with something you make for someone. It's the love we're after, isn't it, more than the thing itself? Maybe that's the real definition of heirloom - made with love.
But I'm still going to fix that sleeve.
By the way, the tree behind the quilt is the one we planted on Steve's double-digit birthday so it's been around for almost 6 years now. It's looking tall and almost grown up just like he is.
This week I will be going from ORD to LGA and back, and next week ORD, LGA, GSO, ATL and back to ORD. We can do travel by shorthand since you'll have them all memorized! No ACK or YOW for me, at least for this couple of weeks.
posted by Ann @ 6:03 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I still have a quilt Grandy made for me as well; it's falling apart because it was made with thin cotton and it's been used and loved and washed for all these years, but I love it despite fraying fabric and weak seams. I heartily concur with your definition of heirloom; I've often said to others and I firmly believe that we are almost always our own harshest critics, and anyone worthy of receiving a gift made by hand with love should love it for just that reason. That said? Fix the sleeve ;) That sweater deserves perfection.
Have fun in Greensboro and hug Third Sister for me if you get to see her while you're in Atlanta!
Well, an heirloom according to the Dictionary is "A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations" It does not say anywhere that it has to be beautiful or expensive so I would say that your quilt fits the definition!
I have a heavy winter quilt that my Great-Grandma gave my Father. Its ugly beyond belief, but its what I curl up in when I am back in the US - the love that she put into it comes out and gives me comfort when I'm sick, cheered up when I am blue and warmed on the coldest of nights.
i have always thought that an heirloom was something that was passed on through generations. value and beauty are in the hearts of the recipients, if you love it enough to pass it on and they do the same that makes it an heirloom.
ps. i think the quilt is beautiful.
I am helping Kristy respond to all the knitters that have signed up for CAP!Thank you so much! We are so excited about the tremendous response! We are sure that this will be a success. If you have any questions you can e-mail at grandmotherpurl@hotmail.com
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