The Power of a Quilt: T-shirt Quilt Stories

Andrea, I can't even begin to tell you what this quilt means to me. It's like you gave me a piece of my father back (I still expect it to smell like him though LOL) The quilting you did is just gorgeous, right now I can't look at the front too long because it makes me sad, so I flip it over and admire the back because it is so beautiful. I love all the designs you created, but most of all the little vans. I know you didn't know him but its like you captured his spirit.

My quilt means so much to me that I can't wait to go home an just sit with it. It's nice to have something of my father to hold and it has all his favorite things together-- his favorite bar shirt, his football shirt and his union shirt from work. Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart, Brianne

Andrea,

I wanted to finally take time and share a story with you. I don't know if you remember making my quilt, but it is Chad's quilt on your picture page of the website. You made my quilt fast for me because of a pending deployment -- thanks again, by the way.

Last year, Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc along the coast. We were very busy, as with all hurricanes. Katrina flooded my house with over nine feet of water -- to the roof! When I was able to return to my house (about 36 hours after the storm hit), I found it full of mud, water and who knows what else (even a snake, as I later found)

Most everything was either destroyed from the force of water or just by the water itself. Pictures, mementoes, childhood baseball cards, guitars, anything you could attach a memory to was essentially destroyed. Trying to find things that could be salvaged was important to me. There were a few things, but one in particular. I remembered the t-shirt quilt was in a closet. I pried the door open (which was an event in and of itself) and saw it soaking wet, but mud free, in the top of the closet. I had it laundered and any stains taken out. It is as good as new!

I left that day with few items that would be as good as the day before the storm and the quilt was one of them.

Sorry for the long story, but I wanted to share it as I reflect nearly one year later. The quilt you made is about the only thing left to remind me of the last sixteen years of my life. No more pictures, but everyday, the T-shirt quilt bring back memories of past friends, events and special times. Isn't it funny how the smallest thing can bring to mind the most important things in life: God, Country, family and the friends we have shared part of our life with.

I will have you make another quilt one day for me -- I have to go collect some more memories first.

Thanks again and God bless,

Chad