All quiltmakers have a fantasy that one of the quilts that they create and give away may someday become a most cherished, best beloved object. That fantasy came true for me. In the late 1970's when I was just starting to make quilts, I chose a simple baby quilt to practice on. No baby in mind, it was just a simple beginner level project. The fabric was a soft pink gingham and the pattern involved a gigantic white bunny that was appliqued onto the top of the quilt. The bunny was embellished with embroidery and the whole thing was then hand quilted. I finished it, it was cute, and it got put away. I had a garage sale in 1979 and dug the quilt out and hung it out with the hope that some "garage saler" would be interested in purchasing it for a few bucks. No takers. Since I couldn't even get rid of the thing at a garage sale, I put it away in a closet again.
Then, low and behold, guess who got pregnant?? Me! I gave birth to Baby Sara in 1980, much to my extreme delight. Sara was a long awaited baby in the family, and was the recipient of many beautiful blankets and quilts. She had hand knitted-satin lined blankets, hand crocheted blankets, a couple of hand made quilts, and some really gorgeous Italian imported baby shawls. This funny pink bunny quilt was not even close to being used, with all those other more beautiful options available to my precious baby girl. Well, one day, all of these other seemingly more desirable quilts must have been in the wash or at the dry cleaners, and I grabbed Pink Bunny Quilt out of the closet for the baby to use. Would you believe she would not let me take it away from her? Sara and this quilt were made for each other, and through any number of tricks of fate, could easily never have met and formed their life long attachment.
This quilt became what child development experts refer to as "a transitional object". That being, the thing that to a child represents Home and Mother and All Things Safe and Good. Pink Bunny Quilt became re-named "Nigh-Nigh" and went with Sara WHEREVER she went. She slept with it, ate her meals with it, played with her toys on it. From time to time I even caught her trying to feed the bunny applique face applesauce or oatmeal. Nigh Nigh was as much a member of our family as was her brother and our family dog. It was a struggle when Sara started school to persuade her that she couldn't take it with her to kindergarten. When I picked her up from school, I had to have Nigh Nigh right there in the car by her car seat so she could re-unite with it. I don't mean to make my lovely daughter Sara sound like an insecure nut case, but you get the picture. She adored this quilt, and wasn't real comfortable being separated from it for any length of time.
As she progressed through her childhood, she was able to go for longer and longer periods of time without going into Nigh Nigh withdrawal, although she did continue to sleep with it (him? her?). Nigh Nigh started to show major signs of wear, from all the laundering and affection it was getting. It had to be re-stitched a number of times, have new binding sewn on, and ultimately was recovered in another layer of pink gingham. The appliqued face, ears and paws were completely worn off. By the time Sara was in high school, Nigh Nigh was pretty much worn to shreds with loving.
Even though Sara is a young married woman now, Nigh Nigh lives with her still, and I have it on good authority it (she? he?) will make the occasional appearance if Sara is sad or tired.
So my friends, don't fret if the quilts you give away get used hard. The way I look at it, there is no greater honor than having one of your quilts completely obliterated by love.
What a delightful story!
Posted by: Darlene | April 11, 2007 at 10:17 AM
"Obliterated By Love" - what a great phrase! LOVE IT and the story of Sara's quilt! How precious that she still has it.
Posted by: Lisa D. | April 11, 2007 at 12:13 PM
How lovely! Pink bunny was certainly well loved. It's often surprising what children choose to cling to, it was wonderful that it was something that you had made.
Posted by: Leigh | April 11, 2007 at 05:23 PM
We must have a picture of little Sara with Nigh Night somewhere we can scan. I love how gauzy it looks now. Truly loved for sure.
In that top picture it looks like the shroud of Peter Cottontail.
Posted by: Andrea | April 11, 2007 at 08:00 PM
What a wonderful story! I love it!
Posted by: Kim Powers | April 11, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Thank you for such a wonderful story. "Obliterated by love" I am going to have to remember that, especially since I have two blankies I did the same thing to as a child.
Posted by: Angela | April 12, 2007 at 08:58 PM
What a wonderful tale. I know I always hope my baby quilts will end up that tattered and loved.
Posted by: Samantha | April 13, 2007 at 08:05 AM
I was reading about Nigh Nigh and thinking about the quilt I am finally putting together for my little granddaughter. I embroidered 9 blocks and am now doing the piece work and should start the handquilting this weekend. While reading this I'm thinking how wonderful it would be to see the quilt I'm making in 20 years and hoping that it, too, is "obliterated by love". Thanks for sharing this, Nicole.
Posted by: Marilyn | April 13, 2007 at 08:19 AM
How great to see the well loved quilt. I gave me great nephew one & I hear it is in pretty much the same shape as yours.
Posted by: Sandy | April 15, 2007 at 10:36 PM