Comments on: clothing (as memorial): passage quilts

By: KARAWEST.COM » Hump Day Hotlinks #4

KARAWEST.COM » Hump Day Hotlinks #4 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:08:56 +0000

[...] clothing (as memorial) passage quilts Though I’ve never been into quilting myself, I think this is an absolutely adorable way to commemorate a person or a passage in life and also a great way to recycle old clothes. It leaves me wondering what pieces of clothing I would put in my own quilt and what it would look like once it was finished. [...]

By: Sherri Lynn Wood

Sherri Lynn Wood — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:57:20 +0000

The clothing of a loved one who has died is extremely powerful. I’m not surprised by Jennifer’s response to her mother’s clothes. This is exactly why quilt making using the clothing is so effective as a hands-on bereavement process, or when using our own materials an opportunity for growth and self-reflection.

A lot of people are afraid they will be overwhelmed by grief if they take on a project like this but in reality the quilt making provides a solid grounding for bereavement, a container through which they call literally touch their loss. I always remind people that the essential task at hand is to make the quilt.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:21:18 +0000

i’ve been into quilts for a few years now. i love making them, the work that goes into it, the slow transformation from pieces to whole object.

anyway, my mom died last year. i had thought about saving some of her things and including them into a quilt, but when i opened her closet i couldn’t bear to look at the garments, let alone go through them and decide what to keep and what to donate. in the end, i donated it all.

anyway, i’m not sure what my passage quilt would look like. i reckon i would use little tidbits of this and that which i loved or reminded me of something. i’d probably piece them into traditional blocks, since i love traditional quilt patterns created with modern fabrics. it might just end up looking like jane stickle’s quilt. you know the one. though, i’d be just as likely to do some abstract applique.

interesting question. who really knows?

By: tricia

tricia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:50:53 +0000

gis: i did not make these quilts…no need to congrats me!

By: Gis

Gis — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:49:02 +0000

They look so so awesome congrats

By: jenna

jenna — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:34:29 +0000

Thank you.
I’m so glad there are other people that find the real beauty to fabric and clothing. I think it says so much more than a pretty color or fashionable shape.
My quilt would be unfinished and frayed at this point. It probably wouldn’t match anything. But I’m totally ok with that at this point.
You’re Inspiring. Thank you.

By: Sal

Sal — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:20:54 +0000

Oh, Tricia, you are SO good for my brain. Clothing, I agree, is one of the best markers of memory. It smells like us, is shaped like us, protects us from the elements, defines our bodies to the outside world. For the vast majority of people, it also reflects deeply personal choices: As adults, we choose our own clothing, frequently without any input or opinion other than our own. Making a memorial quilt from a loved one’s clothing seems like an ideal way to keep closeness alive. And just like you, I love the way these quilts unfurl organically – even messily – just like memories.

By: Sarie

Sarie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:49:23 +0000

Gosh, I’m glad your back! Its lovely to have someone posting intelligent commentary on fashion again.

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:43:43 +0000

Having raised in a country where quilting is not really popular (Puerto Rico), I’ve gone from absolutely hating quilts to understanding their layers of emotions and history since I’ve moved to the States. This is a shining example. Thank you for sharing.

My passage quilt? Omg that thing would BLIND you! Too many colors!!! hehe

By: katie

katie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:36:09 +0000

I am so damn glad you are back.