The Chilli Pepper Quilt

Here is a blast from our Kismet past. I love this photograph of these two vivacious ladies, Darlene Coulson and our very own Miss Sue holding a very precious quilt that we had a hand In finishing.

Another great story for my preserving an heirloom series. Although this quilt does not meet the entire definition of heirloom “a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations” it does meet the valuable object criteria and I am confident that it will be passed down from generation to generation.

If memory serves, back In 2008, Darlene’s friend had recently lost her mother and found the unfinished quilt blocks amongst her cherished possessions. She wished that her Mom had finished the quilt and desperately wanted to have it completed but didn’t know how to go about that. Darlene was fairly certain that we would do it and right she was!

I was so excited to have the opportunity to bring the original quiltmaker’s vision for her quilt to fruition. But even more excited at the prospect of being able to finish it for her daughter.

This quilt embodied the original nature of patchwork quilting in that it appeared to be made from scraps, really funky fabrics that I suspect came from clothing worn in the 1970’s. Weren’t the 70’s a riot, Polyester was the material of choice and bright colours were everywhere. I remember powder blue tuxedos were all the rage at special events and graduations

Due to the stretch in polyester the quilt blocks were a little wonky, it is a difficult fabric to work with when it is new right off the bolt, let alone as small scraps , so this unknown quilter won my heart with her determination to do a patchwork piece.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lively nature of this quilt as it came into being. When the top was completed, I loaded it onto the long arm and chose a chilli pepper design for quilting which I hope spoke to the Mexican heritage of the family.

Thank you Darlene for thinking of us. It was my privilege and pleasure to complete this quilt.