quilting for friends

i was approached by a friend for information on how to go about finding someone to make a quilt from clothes. her brother's wife --in another state-- had recently passed away leaving him and 6 children, and it has been hard because it was a slow and painful death. my friend was very close to her sister-in-law, so i had no qualms volunteering myself. this is being done long distance with her as the intermediary. he shipped the clothes (just about her whole closet!) to my friend who asked for my guidance -- fortunately she had seen a t-shirt quilt i did for DH so was in that frame of mind. she chose the shirts, bought the stabelizer from joann's after finding out the correct one, and has backed the shirts and cut out the blocks already.

most of the actual work is now done! she sent me a picture so i know what i'll be working with, and she's visiting next weekend so will bring the blocks with her. while she's here we'll decide on a setting, and i've done some figuring as to how much sashing and backing will be needed. we'll make a trip to the store for those things and the batting -- which she will pay for-- and then after she leaves i'll sew it together.

we had a discussion about sending it out for quilting vs. tying, and that i would get an estimate for her brother on the cost of having it quilted if he wanted, but she said that since he doesn't have any $ she's footing the bill so tying sounded like a good idea ;) i consider my part of the work a labor of love, and i know that she will feel as tho she had a big part in this gift for her brother and family. she did what i consider the hard and boring work, and is paying all the costs involved for supplies. i wouldn't do this for just anyone for "free" but it just doesn't come up that often to give the gift of having 'mom' with them again. i know it will be used to wrap around them and feel close to her and i have the time and talent to volunteer. i think of it a little bit like making cuddle quilts for charity, but i have a connection to the recipient. all of this makes a difference in my decision to help.

so each case is individual and i know there are people who do this as their income. there are always lots of reasons either to do or to not do something. my particular endeavor is a blessing to me, my friend, her brother, and his children.

dutchrose ---{-@