A simple hospital quilt, given at a time of need, sparked awareness of patterns and pathways drawing mind’s eye to different memories and comforts.

She was in the hospital. Earlier, unusual pain and gripping sensation had led us to a sonographer’s examination. After stepping away for a few moments, our sonographer came back and said “You’re our patient, now. Try not to move. We’ll take you to a room.” She had been absent to share data with a doctor, and instructions were clear for the next several hours and days.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is an odd and frightening condition. Endurance requires reliance on personal faith, and also trust for those providing care.

While in cardiac intensive care for DVT, with all the intrusions a patient must endure, a chaplain entered the room and laid a small quilt on the bed, draping Sharon in warmth and a cushion of calming pressure. The quilt was small, yet perfect in size; it would cover her, yet not interfere with medical attention (so not requiring removal). A simple grid of fabric pieces drew attention in favor of the hustle (and boredom, in balance) of all that was going on around. Little details of fabric prints could be spied. Pathways from piece to piece could be followed by sight, or touch. Stitching and subtle yarn ties could draw a gaze as though mentally exploring forward on a narrow trail.

Sharon’s experience sparked as much reliance on the ‘story’ the simple, checkerboard quilt had to offer as it did her, as I sat with her through the days of care. I began piecing quilts to provide similar comfort to others. The size, the fabrics and the stitching all played their roles. I learned to quilt the ‘sandwiches’ of quilts together with not only a typical table machine, but also eventually with a longarm quilting machine.

Each quilt has a story. This small wall-hanging was recently pieced by Sharon, and I loaded it on my longarm machine, Lucey, to quilt in continuing the memory stories.

This quilt holds tiny windows to memories shared by family and friends. Now, some of these memories can lead to discussions of good times with those no longer with us.

See how my mind works? There is no such thing as just fabric or thread. Piecing a quilt together is more of a personal experience than sewing piece A to piece B. Selective decisions are made to insert value in stories and dreams. Quilting can bind elements together, and give them freedom to re-enact scenes of memory and imagination. Stitching patterns I choose highlight and support the completed quilt stories.

Another example is this recent quilt of a “Starry Night,” with mountain views around a remote cabin. I brought little flourishes of surrounding and movement to leaves, trees, the mountains, the cabin, stars, and even the cool night air.

… and in coming days, I’ll add festive and faithful accents to this lovingly invested Christmas tree skirt. OK, and I’ll avoid anything quite as sassy as the tree skirt famously warn by actress Alice Ghostley in an episode of Designing Women.

We’ll share other quilts and stories in the future, as they draw our interest. We hope you are able to fold yourself into a quilt and lose yourself in the memories and dreams it presents.