The Ugly Quilt

The quilt that traveled the world

In 1948 this quilt began it journey around the world, hidden in the bottom of a suitcase, unfinished and forgotten.  It was made from used clothing.  The owner's mom had intended to give her daughter the quilt as a going away gift.  Mom being quite disappointed in the direction it appeared to be going, claimed it back from the quilter, handed it over to her daughter who popped it in her suitcase and set sail to China.  It was her intention to have someone in China finish the quilt.  She never managed to have it done, perhaps because she wasn't that fond of it herself, saying that the yellow was an "unfortunate" color choice.  Years later, back in Canada it transfered to a closet shelf and finally in 1998, upon the owner's death, was handed down to family members in its still unfinished state.

The women in the family loved the unfinished quilt which had belonged to their favorite aunt.  Its history made it even more special, but all agreed that it was indeed ugly, and thereby it became known to all as "The Ugly" quilt.  It still brings peals of laughter as they often share stories of its history.

In 2008, while visiting and hearing the story of the quilt I offered to complete it for the family.  Sharon, the owner, and I went off to the fabric shop to find suitable fabric for border and a backing.  We looked for material that would complement the fabrics of the clothing used to make the stars hoping the finished quilt would look as though it was completed as planned years before.

We found a lovely blue and white fabric with tiny daisies and a bit of white for a narrow border.  Once the  borders were added it became clear that the clothing scraps used had been carefully chosen so that the stars were made from colors that were found in the background; a yellow with blue, red, green and white flowers.

When I returned the finished quilt to the family Sharon and her daughters were delighted.  The quilt had transformed into something quite lovely and worthy of its new name, "The Wonder Quilt."  The beautiful, yet fragile quilt, has added a new chapter to its lengthy traveling history.  It now travels with Sharon's daughter, Claire, who has grown a fond attachment to it.