A Special Inheritance — Pamela Loewen

Last week I was in Lancaster, PA helping my Mom downsize as my parents prepare to move. My Mom still had my wedding dress (this June will be my 29th anniversary) among many other things from my past — photos, awards, and other memorabilia. She also had cross stitches and quilts I had made and given to her through the years. Now was the time for her to give them back because her new home will not have a place for her to display or store these items. But among the things my Mom wanted me to take were her mother’s old quilts. I am the only quilt maker in the family. I named my daughter for my beloved grandmother Wynona who taught me how to sew.

My grandmother was an excellent seamstress who made most of her family’s clothes. She didn’t really make many quilts. The quilts I inherited were quilts that belonged to my grandmother, but were mostly made by others. I know this because two of the quilts are album quilts where many people would each make a block and sign their name in the center. These kind of community quilts were often given as gifts to someone when they were moving away or for special occasions. Plus my grandmother told me she did not make many quilts.

The first quilt pictured below is a fan design. What I found most remarkable about it is that it is machine quilted. I did not realize that anyone was machine quilting in the 1930’s. Looking at the detail you can see that the stitch length is very large. It is a joyful piece. I love the shade of red in the blocks and in the very fine binding.

Next is an album quilt with a peach sashing around the blocks. I love the patterns on the old fabrics. I also love the pink sashing used at the bottom when the maker ran out of the peach. It gives it a bit of whimsy. The detail photo is a shout out to Mae Cormelly. I especially loved her fabric and choice of embroidery color.

The white album quilt held a special surprise. This quilt was also machine quilted with a very small stitch length. As I was pinning this quilt to my design wall to photograph I saw my grandmother’s signature with her maiden name. Years ago I had seen this quilt with her name on it, but no one else could recall it when I asked about it. It was very moving to rediscover this quilt with her identifiable signature. Also one of the women embroidered a place name on her signature— Oshawan, Minnesota. So this helps me date the quilt. My grandmother married around 1934/35, and my mother was born in Minnesota. This may have even been a wedding gift.

My grandmother was so very dear to me. She did not live to see me marry or name my first born daughter in her honor. She taught me how to embroider, crochet, knit and sew. In awe I watched her make her own pattern to sew a dress for my doll after my brother had pushed me and my doll into a stream when I was 4. I loved playing in her bags of fabric scraps. She made me clothing that I loved. One flannel night gown I wore until I ripped out the shoulders. She was a very loving person who was also very fun. She loved to play games and she was an excellent baker. Most of all she was a woman of faith who lived an authentic life accurately reflecting the love of God to those around her. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. Thank you grandma Wynona for this legacy of Godly love. Until we meet again….