Oh, where to begin this story, a true story. I began quilting several years ago, nothing serious...just a quilt here and there. Then last year I decided to jump in with both feet and both hands. I joined an online quilt group or two, you know, just to see what I could learn. Well the first group I joined was the Dear Jane Alternate List group, little did I know what lay ahead, or how much I would learn (and not necessarily about making quilts).
On this group we have shared so many, many things. We have sent fabric to one another when needed, swapped Birthday Signature (siggy) blocks, made and sent siggies for "Thank yous" and "Get Wells", and anything else we could think of. We have shared jokes, laughter, silly stories and poems, and celebrated joyous happenings in our lives. On the flip side we have also cried with, comforted, prayed for each other and been prayed for. This group of quilters have the biggest, warmest, most giving hearts of gold that I have seen in awhile. But nothing has touched me more than the story I am about to share, about The Very Special Quilt, that was made possible by this group.
In the Fall of last year, one of the lady's (I'll call her "J") on the group shared that her brother was going to have brain surgery for removal of cancer. She asked for prayer for her brother who is a retired Marine. The next day she shared that she had been reading through dozens of emails, wishing her brother and her family well, and letting her know that many prayers were being said on their behalf. She wondered if some of us would mind making a siggy block to help make a lap quilt for her brother.
Another quilter (I'll call her"C") suggested the possiblilty that any of us , that wanted to, could make our infamous siggy blocks with well wishes, prayers, stamped images, drawings, etc. on them for "J's" brother's lap quilt. And since "J's" brother was a Vietnam Vet we could use red, white, and blue fabrics. The hope was that "J" could get the lap size quilt made for her brother for when he came home from the hospital. "C" sent an email to the group: "Let's flood "J's" mailbox with siggies!!!" Then somewhere along the line, someone suggested sending some blank ones for the family and other friends to sign.
So from everywhere you can hear sewing machines start humming. People are sending 1, 2, 3, or more siggies. Signed and blank siggies are arriving in "J's" mailbox. She is sewing them together...the lap quilt has become a reality. But more siggies are arriving!!!! "J" sends some of the blank ones to the men who fought with her brother in Vietnam, and they ALL come back with messages on them, that in her own words, "dropped me to my knees more than once."
It seemed that every time she thought she had the quilt top done, more siggies arrived. She also received a Marine Corp emblem that someone on the group with an embroidery machine made for the quilt, and a small American flag someone else. The Marine Corp emblem became the center of the quilt.
Well the quilt top has been sewn all together. The back is all pieced from "J's" red/white/blue fabric stash, (which I'm sure is depleted now) and the quilting is done. This "lap" size quilt has grown into a 86" x 98" queen size quilt that has 176 signature blocks plus all the 9 patch blocks that "J" made. The finished quilt is now on its way to her brother, along with all the well wishes and prayers that accompanied all the siggy blocks.
I think, I can safely say, that all of us that were able to help with this quilt consider it a privilege.... a small sacrifice of time for, as his sister calls him, such a brave man that served his country with pride, honor, and courage. All I know is that I am proud to be a part of this group, and honored to know "J" and her brother, if only through the internet.
Where else would you find a group of people willing to do something like this? Some of us have met in person, but most of us have not. We only know each other through this online group. But we are a family, and we are there for each other. Maybe we are a similar kind of "family" group, that "J's" brother served with in the Marines.
Thank you so very much, "J" for allowing me to share this story and the pictures of the quilt. You know how much it means to me, and how it has touched my heart.
And to "J's" brother, I want you to know how much I appreciate your service to our country, Thank you so very much. My thoughts and prayers continue for you.
And to the Dear Jane Alternate group, "Thank You, for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful quilting family." Lessons learned here will never be forgotten.
*After posting this blog I received an email from "J", she received 2 more siggy blocks after the quilt was done, so she hand appliqued them to back of the quilt. How special this quilt has become.
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