Today is Father's Day so it is rather appropriate that I waited until today to write this post. Being strictly honest, I meant to write it yesterday, but the day wasn't long enough. This morning it suddenly struck me, it was fait accompli. What better day to write my final post on the quilt made from my father's shirts than Father's Day?
Just for a quick recap. Sandra of mmm.quilts.com decided to have a quilt a long using a design of her own, Freefall. It is of Canadian maple leaves fallen onto a bigger maple leaf, which itself is lying on a background of fallen maple leaves. This all came about at the time of Dad's death in March, and all of a sudden it clicked together. My father loved nature, and walking and particularly walking through forest parks. Now, I don't mean orienteering off the beaten track type of thing, though he did that too when he was younger, but in the evenings and Sunday afternoons, we all bundled into the car and went for a walk through a forest or up a mountain. Sometimes I must admit in my teenage years, I wasn't the most willing, but I treasure those days now.
Anyhow, my sister and I sorted out some of our favourite "dad's shirts". My father didn't buy new clothes often, he bought quality and expected it to last. This meant there were shirts there from ten or so years ago. As my teenage niece said today, isn't it nice he didn't buy lots of clothes so that some of those shirts really have good memories.
The really pale check with the white background is in a photo taken when my daughter and nieces were about 16 and 14 and 4 years old respectively.
The green shirt I used for the main background was a favourite of mine. One of my favourite photos of dad was sitting on his garden seat, wearing that green shirt and drinking coffee. I used to bring my finished (?) quilts down to photograph in his garden. He had a nice summer house where he used to listen to the cricket on the radio and there were tubs and planters on the decking balustrade.
It was quite cathartic making this quilt, as you can imagine. I am a pragmatic type of person, I like to be doing rather than feeling sorry for myself. I found making this quilt helped me to come to terms with things better and made me feel closer to dad. At times there was a pleasant whiff of his washing powder, and off the older shirts, at times, a not so pleasant whiff of cigarette smoke! (even after a long period of non smoking, the smell was still there. Goodness knows what it does to arteries and lungs then).
So, today is Father's Day and I am giving this quilt to my sister for her to use in her caravan. I am going to just leave it over the settee for her to find after I leave my niece home from her overnight stay. Better that way.
And don't worry about me, there is still plenty of shirt left for me to make something. Though not of the green shirt, we went right to the wire or the buttons with that one!
Helen
Linking up with Sandra and her Freefallqal linky party
Just for a quick recap. Sandra of mmm.quilts.com decided to have a quilt a long using a design of her own, Freefall. It is of Canadian maple leaves fallen onto a bigger maple leaf, which itself is lying on a background of fallen maple leaves. This all came about at the time of Dad's death in March, and all of a sudden it clicked together. My father loved nature, and walking and particularly walking through forest parks. Now, I don't mean orienteering off the beaten track type of thing, though he did that too when he was younger, but in the evenings and Sunday afternoons, we all bundled into the car and went for a walk through a forest or up a mountain. Sometimes I must admit in my teenage years, I wasn't the most willing, but I treasure those days now.
Anyhow, my sister and I sorted out some of our favourite "dad's shirts". My father didn't buy new clothes often, he bought quality and expected it to last. This meant there were shirts there from ten or so years ago. As my teenage niece said today, isn't it nice he didn't buy lots of clothes so that some of those shirts really have good memories.
The really pale check with the white background is in a photo taken when my daughter and nieces were about 16 and 14 and 4 years old respectively.
The green shirt I used for the main background was a favourite of mine. One of my favourite photos of dad was sitting on his garden seat, wearing that green shirt and drinking coffee. I used to bring my finished (?) quilts down to photograph in his garden. He had a nice summer house where he used to listen to the cricket on the radio and there were tubs and planters on the decking balustrade.
It was quite cathartic making this quilt, as you can imagine. I am a pragmatic type of person, I like to be doing rather than feeling sorry for myself. I found making this quilt helped me to come to terms with things better and made me feel closer to dad. At times there was a pleasant whiff of his washing powder, and off the older shirts, at times, a not so pleasant whiff of cigarette smoke! (even after a long period of non smoking, the smell was still there. Goodness knows what it does to arteries and lungs then).
So, today is Father's Day and I am giving this quilt to my sister for her to use in her caravan. I am going to just leave it over the settee for her to find after I leave my niece home from her overnight stay. Better that way.
And don't worry about me, there is still plenty of shirt left for me to make something. Though not of the green shirt, we went right to the wire or the buttons with that one!
Helen
Linking up with Sandra and her Freefallqal linky party
A quilt made of memories, what a special tribute to your dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to remember your dad. Leaving it for your sister to find is so sweet. I hope it, and the next project from his shirts, bring happy memories of your dad to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThings so often work out just the way they are meant to. What perfect timing for this post, and congratulations on the finish. I am sure it will be a treasured one.
ReplyDeleteHelen, this is so beautiful, your photos, the fabrics, the timing, and now the way you'll leave this to be found, a gift and a surprise all in one. Your sister will treasure this, it is so special. And more shirts to make something else, a bonus for you all over again.Draped over the bench seat by the pot plants, a wonderful setting. Fond greetings from a wet place in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely story and a lovely thing to do Helen....he would be very proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt and it's even sweeter that it's a loving tribute and reminder of your father. And extra kudos for you giving it to your sister.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely quilt.😀 Such wonderful memories to be treasured forever... And I bet your Dad would have loved his quilt too.... Xx
ReplyDeleteI love that you included stories about the shirts in this post. It's a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteThis was the perfect day for this post and a wonderful way to remember your father. Your Free Fall quilt is truly one with a wonderful story and I've enjoyed every minute of ready about it through out its creation.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! What a great way to remember your father and to participate in the QAL. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.
ReplyDeleteI love how both our dads seemed to have a hand in this quilt and quilt along. I wish I'd got my mum to save my dad's shirts and done something like this with them. Thank you Helen for making this QAL so very meaningful, and posting ON Father's Day. :-)
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to your Dad on Fathers Day Helen. Your sister will love it and your Dad would be very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteA lovely memory quilt, drenched in memories of your Dad.
ReplyDelete