The Joy of Quilt Gifting

Before I was a quilter, I was convinced I had been switched at birth. In a family of talented, creative, accomplished quilt-makers, I needed help hemming a pair of pants.

So my first experience with quilt gifting was being on the receiving end: My three sisters made me a quilt for my 25th wedding anniversary.

Isn't this gorgeous? It includes stars from all of the states we had lived in (six, at that point) and a beautiful signature panel on the back.

It was such a touching gift. I was overwhelmed with that thought that my sisters would put so much time, effort and love into something just for me.

So when I started quilting in 2020, I wanted to pay it forward. I made quilts as gifts, starting with a very simple quilt for my mother-in-law, and when the pandemic hit, the quilts got more complicated, my skills got better, my fabric stash grew, and by Christmas I had made 15 quilts for friends and family -- including two cats and a French bulldog.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Making a quilt for someone is a prayerful experience. The recipient is on my mind with every stitch, every ripped-and-redone seam, every press of the iron.

Here is that first quilt I made for my mother-in-law. She loves pastels and this Strip Tango quilt is just the coziest!

My two sisters-in-law got my next two quilts. Debby's quilt, Layer Cake Crumble, I did in this line of earth tone fabrics with leaves, vines and peaches. I love the contrast in this quilt.

Sheree's quilt, Wedge Diamond, I did in bright colors, a lot of Tula Pink fabrics and some scraps I had accumulated from making placemats and other small projects. I did a scrappy border - which was so much fun! - and I turned the blocks a bit to make them into pinwheels instead of diamonds.

The quilt I made for my co-mother-in-law to our sons was a really special one for me. I had fallen in love with the fabric line Murmur by Valori Wells and was looking for a modern quilt design that would best show off the fabrics. I chose Intersection by Missouri Star Quilt Company. I love how these fabrics pop on the white background. This has become one of my all-time favorite quilts.

Funny story: This quilt, bound for Moscow, made the trip to Russia and back twice before finally arriving in its forever home. Sending packages to Russia is an ordeal, and you just never know whether it will ever get there. I knew the chance I was taking when I mailed it, but I told myself that wherever it ended up, it would make someone happy.

🦆

To learn more about these quilts and Diane's other quilting projects, contact her at diane.fitzpatrick@mac.com. And check out her Instagram page.

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