Xenia
72” x 48”
For 3 weeks we had a German, teenage athlete staying with us. She originally contacted my daughter last winter, she was working to fulfill one of her dreams to come to Canada. In October she made the dream come true. Such a bright, committed, and curious girl. We loved having her with us. It was fun to show her some of our favourite things (but not many because these athletes have so much training!) And through her we learned about Germany, pumpernickel bread, and life in a village with no restaurants.
Each day she would come with my son and I to the new studio. The kids would do their school work while I plugged away on projects and accounting stuff. On breaks we would chat and play with the dog. While her and I would have many deep conversations over the weeks she was with us (more than my own teens are willing to have with me) she, sadly, showed no interest in quilting.
That didn’t stop me from wanting to gift her, and her parents who joined her in Canada after 3 weeks, a quilt to take home with them. I mean, of course I would give them a quilt! And once I decided that, it was clear which one I would give them.
Conveniently, I had the quilt top already made. It was a second version of the Maple Leaf quilt - a pattern I used sell, and then teach. I no longer do either with this pattern as I have complicated feelings about our national flag now. It seemed perfect to finish the quilt and give it to our new German friends though. A great momento of an epic trip for them.
The quilt top, itself, differs from the original pattern in that each block is made with a single red fabric. This is in contrast to the original made with scraps sewn into slabs to make the side blocks and leaves. It’s an excellent way to play with value and contrast via visual texture.
So, I whipped up a quilt back with what I had on hand - a great Aneela Hoey print from many, many moons ago and some other treats in the stash. Then I snagged a long arm appointment at my local shop. Phew. That left me two days to bind, label, and wash the quilt before they departed our snowy wonderland for home. It was a fast process, but worth it. And totally possible when you have a deep stash and can make time.
I totally forgot to take a picture of it, but I also signed the back, off label. Our German athlete attends a boarding school. I worry that someone might try to take her quilt. They would take off the label and argue that there was no way to prove the quilt was hers! I’ve heard stories of these happening in nursing homes and I don’t want it to happen to her. When I gift a quilt that may live in a public place I always sign the quilt itself, somewhere not so obvious, so it can always be proven if the worst happens.
The quilt, and our new German friends, are back home now. We will miss them.