I’ve talked with you before about the book, Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. While in Texas, I came to understand the exact meaning of that book. Following the author’s suggestions, I participated in the process for my sister’s estate. After a meaningful Celebration of her life on Saturday, her son, Daughter #1, and I began what I think was thoughtful decision-making to determine whether her possessions would be gifted, sold, or kept by family members. I know that Eric had already been working on this difficult process for his mom since September, last.
Clara moved from New Mexico to Texas to be a caregiver for her newborn grandson and spent her life in Texas a quilter extraordinaire. She had three Bernina sewing machines, one long- arm quilting sewing machine, and hundreds of spools of thread in all colors (including white and black). There were also scissors of every kind – scissors safe enough for children that will go to my Daughter #3 for her special youth church programs; scissors for cutting quilting material, scissors for cutting any kind of fabric. Buttonhole scissors. Scissors – scissors – scissors, everywhere!
Bernina sergers (2). Special irons used by quilters for pressing seams. Tables for cutting and holding those sewing machines, Bookshelves, file cabinets, pantographs (special patterns used for keeping quilting stitching correct on a long-arm machine). Her supply of materials, books, quilt patterns,abd equipment might possibly have been a great start for someone wanting to get into the business of having a store for quilters.
At Eric’s encouragement, I selected several of her possessions to bring home. Now, remember that I have a rule – something has to leave my house every day and never come back. And, here I was, adding to my ever-present collection of things. But, I rationalized, these are things that belonged to my sister, things that she touched and used during her life – I would take and treasure them.
I remember a time several year ago when I was visiting Clara and family. I’d driven there (it takes two days by car when driving alone); I always had to have Clara talk me to her house when I reached the edge of Cedar Park. Clara was in the process of creating a new quilt from scratch, cutting each piece, sewing all of the pieces together in a specific pattern, pressing all of the seams – just so – to the point that there was the top of the quilt in all of its glory. I complimented her achievement although, truth-be-told, I really didn’t like the quilt. First of all, it’s predominant color was GREEN! Anyone who has read this blog knows that there are two basic colors that I don’t enjoy. White is one, but GREEN is much worse! Of course, I only “suggested” that I would like it better if it was a different color; say, blue – one of my favorites.
I returned home, resumed my life happenings, and forgot about the quilt. Within a couple of years, Clara had occasion to travel to be at my home for a vacation. She carried a box into my house and pulled out that green quilt. By that time, the quilt was finished. It had it’s pieced top, batting in the middle, and bottom (or backing) all quilted together with a beautiful design (the design Clara did, guided along the pantograph). And, it had a binding around the quilt – of course, GREEN! It really was a beautiful quilt – green color and all. This time, I was able to give great compliments to the quilter for her quilt.
Clara, then, pulled out another quilt. Unfolding it, the blue and white pieces dazzled. Quilted with a blue binding! This time, I knew that I was “gushing” about the quilt being so beautiful. Clara said, “So, you like this one, huh?” To which I, of course, again extolled its virtues – being the same blues found in my house. She said, “Good, because it is yours.” Today, that quilt sits on the deacon’s bench in my living room, never having been put on top of a bed. It adds so much to the “country French” atmosphere that I want in my home.
Clara showed me a photograph of a quilt she had made for her granddaughter; the pattern being a Dresden Plate pattern, made with oriental fabrics. I asked Clara to make this patterned quilt in blue for me, using oriental fabrics. She did. When it arrived, it went over the back of my loveseat in the living room – never to see a bed in my house! People sit on beds. If they sit on a quilt on that bed, it is possible to break the quilting threads; so, no beds for any quilts that belong to me. I use plain, old blankets for warmth.
I can tell you that the “Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” wasn’t so gentle for me. I knew this had to happen. I remembered. I hurt. I cried. I think I embraced the event. Only time will tell.
And, yet, I still don’t have a sister to talk with every day.
Be Safe and Be Well
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are greatly appreciated
A note: My Dresden Plate quilt was made with oriental fabric – a fabric that is, apparently, a superior fabric for quilting. If you would like to see what this quilt pattern is like on a finished quilt, just use our friend the Web and look it up.
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