Friday Night Sew In--Pat Yamin--The Quilt Holes

On Friday night, I had my Sew In night with friends.  It was a lot of fun.  I was so busy all week, I did not have a chance to plan for what I wanted to bring.  So, I just brought hand work.  Ahhh!  That sure makes it easier to pack for Friday Night Sew In!

Here is what I worked on.  Yep....the hand stitching on the binding for Lincoln's Watch.  I got about two-thirds of it done.  I finished it at home Saturday night!  I'll do the big reveal tomorow.  I am washing it right now.  :-)

Here is a little sneak peek for you.  We had a big surprise at our Sew In!  Pat Yamin of Come Quilt With Me showed up!  Wow!  How cool to have a celebrity in our midst!  She is originally from Michigan (she now lives in New York).  Her sister still lives here, and her sister is friends with Cheryl, who organizers our Sew In.  Pat was in town for the AQS show in Grand Rapids, which starts on Wednesday.  Pat's sister said she might like to come by our Sew In and could she bring her?  We all were so excited!  Pat was a real sweetie!  She came around to every one of us, talked with us about what we were working on, and just visited with us.  So nice.  She really liked Lincoln's Watch and wants to display it in her booth at AQS!!!  Can you believe it???  Shelly, are you reading this?!  I have to get the label on tonight so I can take it up to her on Wednesday.  If you are going to the AQS show, go check out her booth (Booth #805).  Maybe you'll see my quilt!  (She also gave each of us a coupon for $10 off our purchase at her booth.  Sweet!)

After she visited with each of us, Pat told us a story.  She said there is a quilter here in Michigan who has done most of her quilting for her....all hand quilting.  This woman was mother to several children, many of whom had severe disabilities.  I believe Pat said she had adopted them.  Her hand quilting was beautiful, and she would never "charge" Pat for it.  She would tell Pat to just pay her what she thought it was worth.  Well, Pat was bringing a quilt back with her that this woman had quilted for her.  I cannot remember why she was bringing it back.  But the woman suddenly passed away right before Pat came home.  So, Pat did get to attend the memorial service for her, and she brought this quilt to the memorial service.  When Pat talked about her, it was very moving.  We were all choked up, including Pat.

Here is the hand quilted quilt.  Beautiful.  Pat also gave us a poem that she shared at the memorial service.  She couldn't read it to us, because she sobbed every time she read it.  It was very beautiful.  She asked that we share it with others, so here you are.  Get your tissues out:

The Quilt Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.  Before each uf us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was.  They were filled with giant holes.  Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life.  I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me.  Nobody else had such squares.  Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.  I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth.  The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries.  So filled their lives had been.  My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.  I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes.  I had love in my life and laughter.  But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.  I had to start over many times.  I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.  I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.  I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth.  My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.  An awe-filled gasp filled the air.  I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.  Light flooded the many holes, creating an image:  The face of Christ.  Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.  He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all your quilts be threadbare and work, allowing Christ to shine through.

What do you think?  Very nice, huh?  Well, how about seeing some other quilts and projects from Friday Night Sew In?

Not everyone at our Friday Night Sew In quilts--or even sews for that matter!  Here is Lauren, one of my friends' daughters.  She also lives in New York and was here visiting.  She makes amazing miniatures and sells them in her Etsy shop.  They are so creative and unique!

She was making miniature vintage boxes of Christmas Ornaments on Friday.  Aren't they amazing!?  Her miniatures make me want to get into doll houses!  LOL.  That's what I need!

Karen was making purses.  She loves this particular purse pattern and was on purse #11!  Great fabric, huh?

Cheryl, who organizes our Friday Night Sew Ins, was working on quilting this raw edge applique from Edita Sitar.  It was her first go at free motion quilting.  She was doing an amazing job!

One woman, whose name I cannot recall, was making these dolls. How cute!

They are for her grandchildren, and she wanted the pattern to be all her own, so she designed it.  They are so adorable.  The shoes even have that nonslip stuff on the bottoms.  So stinking cute!

Here's a naked one.  She draws a heart and embroiders it with "Jesus Loves Me."  Reminds me of the Raggedy Anne and Andy my mom made for me with embroidered hearts that say "I Love You" on them.  I'll have to show them to you sometime!

Barb was working on these amazing paper pieced trees in black and white.  I really liked this.  Barb works on her Featherweight.  She's a really neat lady.  We might go on a Pat Yamin retreat together.  :-)

One gal had embroidered all these washcloths and was making hooded towels with them.  She had about 7 or 8 of them.  They were all different colors with different embroideries.  Very, very cute!  She is going to sell them at a craft fair.  I told her I thought they would sell really well!

Nancy was working on this awesome quilt.  I have watched her work on it before.  Can't wait to see it come together.

Lori was working on these cell phone purses that she gives as gifts. Really cute.  Lori is our resident "Batik Lady!"

One young gal was working on these jeans.  She does creative patches on jeans for kids.  Here is a monster patch.

Here is an assortment.  She has you bring her the ripped jeans, and for $18 or so (depending on the size of the patch), she will patch them creatively.

She had a request for some more "girlie" patches.  Here is what she came up with.

Maureen was working on getting all her rows sewn together on this amazing quilt.

She got all the rows sewn up....now she just needs to sew the rows together.  I can't wait to see this one finished.  Great fabrics, huh?!

Well, it was a wonderful night.  I enjoyed it immensely.  Wish you all had been there!

See you tomorrow for the unveiling of Lincoln's Watch!

Until next time,

Comments

[Jana]

What a fun night! I can't wait to see the entire finished quilt.

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Wish I had been there too! Great stuff and I can't wait to see Lincoln.

[carolld]

OMG what a wonderful post. I loved seeing all the pictures and what everyone is doing. Those jeans are adorable as were the paper pieced trees and those dolls! Loved the one picture with the pieces of candy. Quilters are all alike...Chocolate! Can't wait to see your quilt. That's wonderful that it will be at the show! Congratulations!

[jenclair]

Always love the Sew In nights! How wonderful that your Lincoln's Watch has been selected for display in Pat's booth, Stephie!

Those little jeans are precious--I may be inspired to do a pair.

[Marit]

What a beautiful poem. Fun to see all those different projects. Congrats on having your quilt shown at the exhibit. Look forward to seeing it!

[Linda in Calif.]

Totally awesome for your quilt to be shown at AQS Show. I know I really love it and I'm sure everyone that see it will also.

[Lynn]

Those jeans are fabulous! I wish I could pull off the monster jeans look!

[Terri]

Oooohhh, the black and white trees!

Maureen's color I pattern selection...it escapes me! How does someone pick things so different yet they go together. I am clueless.

[Linda]

Awesome that your quilt will be there!!!!! Hopefully, I will get to see it!!! :-)

[Colleen Babcock]

What a huge compliment to you and your quilting talent to be asked to display your quilt in Pat's booth! Way to go Stephanie!

[Shelly]

Yes! I'm reading this! Way to go! Are you going to the show? You need pictures of it hanging there . . . your Friday Night Sew-In sounds like fun. So many people getting so much done!

[maggie Robinson]

Honestly Stephanie, you hang with the neatest people. Love seeing all you do when you get to-gether..
BTW I am glad you got your Etsy Order..Thank you so much. I was happy to know SweetPea liked her little surprise too:)
xoxo
((((hugs))))
Maggie

[Deb]

What a great group of people - I enjoyed seeing every project (love the fabric in Nancy's quilt). I'm looking forward to seeing your Lincoln's Watch quilt! How exciting to be in a booth at AQS. Did you do the amazing quilting? Just from the little you've shown it looks awesome. I also see you're using the little binding clips, I've been seeing those a lot lately - I'm thinking that I really need to get some of those!

[Allie]

Dang what an assortment of great projects! Love the poem, but how sad about the lady who died. The quilt is gorgeous!