About five years ago the secret pal I had from our church family gave me a quilt at our "Revealing Party" where we learn who has had our name for the past year. The quilt got lots of "ooos and ahhhhhs" as I pulled it out of its gift bag. The giver is a lady who is my son's age and no one knew she even quilted. I taught her years ago when she was in fourth grade and have now taught both of her children. Found out she was just learning how and this was the first quilt she'd made.

I was stunned. That she would spend that effort and give it to me was just amazing. In my world quilts are made and given as treasures to special people. I feel myself swelling with pride at such a gift even now years down the road.

This has been my napping quilt and it stays behind the couch so I can pull it out as needed. It doesn't go with any colors in my house, but I treasure it for the time and effort that she put in.

Now that I'm beginning to quilt I treasure it even more. I love the imperfections in it - flaws I never even noticed before. The binding is machine stitched and the seam line is a bit wavy. I picture her rushing to finish it before the Secret Pal Party or trying to get it done while helping her kids with their homework.

It has pinwheels - a daring pattern for a beginner - at least in my experience! Triangles everywhere - how brave! They don't all meet perfectly, but I'm amazed at how close they are and find myself looking for the ones she would have been most proud of.

So to those of you who stress out about your love quilts that don't quite meet your expectations: the naps will be just as sweet, the ooos and ahhs will be just as loud, the feeling of being treasured will be just as real as if every stitch were perfectly sewn.

Sew on!

How sweet! A treasure for sure.

that is just awesome! made me tear up just a bit. =)

What a wonderful treasure!!!

What a gift from her to you! And how wonderful that you so fully appreciate it! Thanks for sharing the story with us!

what a great quilt and she thought of making it for you, how sweet

How perfect!

That is wonderful. And the story behind it makes it even more beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing such a loving story. Such a treasure to know you are so important to the giver.

I appreciate the kind thoughts. To me the biggest lesson here is that our quilts don't have to be perfect - not even nearly so - and that's a treasure to me from this sweet lady also.