Comforting Quilts by Design

​I get all “mushy” inside when seeing a quilt, because I know how much love and care went into making it. Our sanctuary will be draped in quilts when the Presbyterian Women present a program called, “Quilts and Sweets” this Tuesday, October 17th, starting at 1:00pm. Perhaps if I explain more about quilting, you will also be able to see the tender loving care contained in every quilt.

Emily Rogers

Let me tell you about the love and care stitched into every quilt by sharing some words from a group to which I belong, the Quilts of Valor Foundation. QOV awards quilts to thank military veterans for their service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation. To make sure the recipient knows how much care is contained in every award, they include this description in their award speech:

If you are a quilter, you know a quilt consists of three layers held together by its quilting stitches. We like to think of the layers in this way:

• The top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes, and fabrics, represents the communities and the many individuals we are.
• The batting, the filler, is the center of the quilt, its warmth. It represents our hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace, and healing to the individual who receives it.
• The backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the support of his or her family, our communities, and our nation.
• Each stitch that holds the layers together represents love, gratitude, and sometimes the tears of the maker.

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​The Foundation goes on to explain to the recipient veteran:

• Each Quilt of Valor is formed by loving hands that join bits of fabric together, one piece at a time. A QOV may be fashioned by only one or two individuals, or it may come about through the combined efforts of many women and men of all skill levels. Quilters often work together in sewing groups to create these quilts. As we quilt, we talk about our families and friends and how grateful we are to those who will be receiving what we call our “quilty” hug when we wrap them in a Quilt of Valor. Now, through this quilt, you become part of our quilting family.

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• We believe that as we sew, love, caring, and gratitude flow from our hearts, through our hands, into the quilts we make. All of us, as quilters, want you to know that through our quilts, you are forever in our hearts.

Every quilt, and not just Quilts of Valor, contains some measure of the above description. I don’t normally share so much of others’ writings, but the QOV verbiage is so well-worded that my hope is it helps you to more deeply appreciate all that goes into the making of a quilt. Also, I hope you will come to the Quilts and Sweets event next Tuesday. Perhaps as you view each quilt, you’ll have a more thorough understanding and appreciation of the depth of care and love contained in each one — even if every single stitch is not “perfect.” Please come and enjoy the large selection of quilts on display.
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King Solomon was the probable author of Ecclesiastes (with Hezekiah as editor). His eloquent words in chapter 3 are often quoted. 
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​For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,
and a time to speak;

​As many times as I’ve read Ecclesiastes 3, I had never noticed his reference to sewing before. However, he continued with the following verses:
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What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.  I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live;  moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.

While designing and constructing a quilt takes much hard work, that toil is pleasurable and brings me much joy. Hopefully, that joy is also shared by the recipient. May you be able to view quilts with more understanding and appreciation in the future.
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Your friend in Christ,
Emily