This is a quilt I made a couple of years ago from Judy Niemeyer's Feathered Goose pattern. What I love most about it wasn't the process or even the finished quilt itself, but the story of it.
A friend of mine adopted a daughter from Ethiopia. The girl had been living with her grandmother, but advancing age and failing health left the grandmother unable to manage any longer. The girl came to the United States, my friend stayed in touch with the orphanage and the grandmother, and the new family made a nice little life together.
But a few years later, my friend learned through the orphanage that her daughter's biological sister needed a home as well. The girls' grandmother, who'd continued to take care of the sister, was dying. Would she be interested in adopting the second girl?
Well, of course — she was aching to. But the first adoption had put her and her husband in a difficult financial position, and they were just digging their way out. Even calling on friends and family for help, they couldn't see any way to manage the money needed to make another adoption happen.
I wanted to help. I made this quilt and offered it as an online raffle. My friend's story touched a lot of people: At $5 a chance, we ended up raising over $11,000 for my friend's adoption. It was enough. My friend brought home another daughter, and now the two sisters will grow up together.
But my favorite part of the story is the end. The woman who won the quilt actually gave it back, saying she wanted the sisters to have it. I have a photo of the two girls in front of the quilt, and I treasure it.
I found the construction process — paper piecing and fiddly curved piecing — annoying. And once the top was pieced, I was so afraid of screwing it up that I did something uncharacteristic and sent it out for quilting. And although it's probably the most beautiful quilt I've ever made, I didn't even get to keep it. But even given all that, it's the work that I'm proudest of because it helped a new family come together and an existing family stay together.
...Now go look at some other quilts!
Beautiful quilt and an even more beautiful story.
Posted by: Gayla | April 17, 2009 at 11:33 AM
What a lovely story!!Great work! you are an amzing, amazing friend!!
Posted by: Paloma | April 17, 2009 at 11:45 AM
What an amazing story and beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Kris | April 17, 2009 at 11:46 AM
stunning!!!
what a great testiment this quilt brought.
Posted by: rachel | April 17, 2009 at 12:46 PM
This is a gorgeous quilt ... I'm fond of triangles and color wheels. But what's even more amazing is that you provided something that raised $11K to bring two sisters together. What a great story!!
Posted by: Lemon Tree Tami | April 17, 2009 at 01:18 PM
That is an {amazing} story - what an incredible gift you gave!!! Thanks for sharing it!
Beth
http://cornerhousequilts.blogspot.com
Posted by: Beth | April 17, 2009 at 01:41 PM
What an amzing quilt and even more amazing story! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Chen | April 17, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Such an amazing story and an adorable quilt!
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: nicolette | April 17, 2009 at 04:18 PM
wow!! this is such a work of art, and such a wonderful story!!
Posted by: kerri | April 17, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I LOVE this quilt :) And what a touching story.
Posted by: Zonnah | April 17, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Oh, and I like yours better then the original. :)
Posted by: Zonnah | April 17, 2009 at 09:00 PM
What a wonderful story....just like the fairy tales..."and they lived happily ever after"...all from the heart of a quilter.
Crispy
Posted by: Crispy | April 17, 2009 at 09:44 PM
This really is a beautiful quilt. Stunning! You are very generous and talented.
Posted by: Emma | April 17, 2009 at 09:53 PM
What a wonderful story and a fabulous quilt.
Posted by: staci | April 17, 2009 at 10:37 PM
That's a beautiful touching story and you made a beautiful quilt to go with it. You should be proud of yourself. What goes around comes around. One day someone will remember this and do something beautiful for you. Keep on quilting!
Posted by: Mary-Kay C. | April 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM
What a heartwarming story! This quilt is truly stunning! I would have a hard time giving it up if I had been the one to make it.
Your friend must think you are a miracle worker!
Posted by: Lisa | April 17, 2009 at 11:46 PM
that's a beautiful story and a wonderful quilt. thanks for sharing!
Posted by: pixie | April 18, 2009 at 05:28 AM
This is probably my favourite entry so far (I've looked at about 80).
The quilt is stunning and the story so wonderful.
Posted by: Andi | April 18, 2009 at 07:02 AM
Not only is this a gorgeous quilt but a truly heartwarming story. So many kind people in the world.
Posted by: Stephanie | April 18, 2009 at 09:21 AM
beautiful story and quilt!
Posted by: Liz Boswell | April 18, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Lovely quilt. thank you for sharing it and your wonderful story.
Posted by: Terri | April 18, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Brilliant quilt without the story. Priceless quilt with the story.
Posted by: Carol Hansen | April 18, 2009 at 03:43 PM
What a great story. The colorful quilt is a banner to tell the world about the good people who helped the sisters reunite. Your friend was blessed with you as her friend and the kindness of the raffle winner. Life sometimes is grand.
Posted by: Penny G | April 18, 2009 at 07:59 PM
What a great story, this is one the best quilts I have seen so far. I love the color, I am a color person.
Posted by: Cindy | April 18, 2009 at 08:36 PM
thats an awesome story and a beautiful quilt
Posted by: jennifer | April 18, 2009 at 10:23 PM
You've brought tears to my eyes - what a special gift! The quilt itself is stunning, but the story gives it so much more life. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Amy @ parkcitygirl | April 19, 2009 at 12:42 AM
beautiful quilt!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Posted by: Karen | April 19, 2009 at 10:47 AM
The quilt is absolutely stunning. Love it!
But that story? That is the all time best story ever. That quilt is magical in more ways than one
Posted by: The quilt rat | April 19, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Wow! That's amazing! I love all the colors and the whole design is breath taking!
Posted by: Jessica | April 19, 2009 at 01:30 PM
It is lovely! This reminds me a bit of the paper piecing patterns of Deb Karasik. I love paper piecing, so I am fascinated by it.
Micki
Posted by: Micki Butler | April 19, 2009 at 02:12 PM
What a beautiful quilt and what a wonderful heart warming story to go along with this. I love it.
Posted by: coloradolady | April 19, 2009 at 05:15 PM
What a lovely story .... what a lovely quilt! I'm glad the girls have it.
Posted by: tracey | April 19, 2009 at 05:57 PM
WOW! That is a really amazing story! The quilt is so gorgeous as well! Really wonderful!
Posted by: Natalie | April 19, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I love the quilt and the story!! What a wonderful story, quilter's can really do a lot of good and send a lot of happiness around. I am a big fan of Judy Niemeyer and just took a class with her for the second time last weekend. I have the Feathered Goose pattern and was thinking of making this as my next one. I love your version! I may have to make one that is similar. Love your color choices.
Posted by: Jackie | April 19, 2009 at 10:23 PM
wow. wow. wow. this is truly a sight! I love the colors, pattern, design, quilting! just everything! way to go!!
Posted by: Adria | April 20, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Your story gave me goose bumps. Your friend and the girls are truly blessed to have you on their side. The quilt is absolutely awesome.
Posted by: Janet Brady | April 20, 2009 at 08:27 AM
This is the BEST story...I have chills. Gorgeous quilt, too!
Posted by: Doris | April 20, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Beautiful story, stunning quilt! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lyn | April 20, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Beautiful quilt, beautiful story.
Posted by: Mary P | April 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Thanks, y'all. Jackie, isn't that pattern a stunner? When I got it I didn't know what I'd do with it, just that I wanted to make it.
Posted by: Julie | April 20, 2009 at 03:09 PM
When I saw the photo of your quilt - OMG! And such a touching story. Great work!
Posted by: Cathy | April 20, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Amazing story. The power of quilts (and quilters!) is tremendous. Truly remarkable.
Posted by: Peg | April 20, 2009 at 04:09 PM
the quilt is amazing, but the story is even better. I am so glad that you shared it.
Posted by: Heather | April 20, 2009 at 06:02 PM
That is a fabulous story & quilt. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Allie | April 20, 2009 at 11:35 PM
What a fabulous quilt! The colors and work and just awesome and what a wonderful, wonderful story in how you played such an important part in these families lives.
Cathy ♥
Posted by: Cathy | April 21, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Wow - your story literally gave me chills. What a beautiful quilt, and an even more beautiful story!
Posted by: Lisa D. | April 21, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Oh, My this is incredible and what a wonderful story. You are a wonderful friend, this is a gift that can never be measured.
Posted by: Connie | April 22, 2009 at 02:16 PM
That is a very touching "pay it forward" kind of story and it's a really stunning quilt. You may not have the quilt, but you'll have the memories and the warm inner glow that comes from such an unselfish act. And, I'm sure the adoration of two sweet little girls.
Posted by: Terri | April 22, 2009 at 07:35 PM
That is a wonderful story, and a stunning quilt.
Posted by: Sue | April 25, 2009 at 10:49 PM