Anyway, this past week end, I went to a graduation/birthday party for my cousin's son, Ryan. I knew just what to give him (or more accurately -- return to him) for part of his gift -- HIS BABY QUILT!
As far as we can figure, Ryan gave me his baby quilt six years ago to repair it for him. My cousin and I think it was six years ago because that's when I would have presented Ryan's new baby sister with her baby quilt (Loran is now six years old).
Anyway, when he gave me his quilt to repair, Ryan told me he wanted to pass this quilt down to his own children some day. Isn't that sew sew sweet?????
I was really hoping that he'd forgotten that I had it since it had been in my keeping for so long. I was right -- he did forget!
Anyway, here's Ryan much loved and very worn baby quilt:
Originally the strips around the Pooh squares were yellow and turquoise, but the yellow is more a cream color now from repeated washing. There were lots and lots of split seams and the binding was shot. So I stitched up the holes and replaced the binding. I also added a label to the back so Ryan (and his future children) will never forget when it was made and who made it.
I just smile and get a case of the warm and fuzzies when I look at this quilt because this is what a baby quilt should look like.
Baby quilts are made to be used -- puked on, spit on, dragged around, chewed on, and washed over and over again. Although this was one of my early beginner quilts -- 18 years ago -- it's still around and with a little repair work, it will be there for Ryan's children someday. Of course, they'll probably each get their own quilts if I have any say in the matter.
Here's Ryan showing his baby quilt at his graduation/birthday party:
A quilt.....and a young man 18 years in the making!
