Carmen's Quilts

I greatly admire quilting and quilters - the need for precision, an eye for color and the scale of the projects has always intimidated me. The history of quilting has always interested me. Creating a functional, but beautiful, household necessity out of scraps and worn out pieces of other projects has always struck a chord.

I recently met a crafter, Carmen Bowes, who's mother passed away in September 2016. Carmen only dabbled in quilting before that. After her mother passed away, she started using her mother's bohemian style clothing to make more pieced blankets for family and friends.

She made the first with colors to match a country chic style, using her mother's night gown in the center, and a sheet as boarders around the colors and as a backing.

The second, in blues, had a more advanced pattern. Carmen used large pieces of patterned skirt her mother often wore, with solid colors forming a design in the center.

Her third quilt is still in process, but Carmen said it will be double sided - each personalized for the couple she'll give it to.

Carmen has two more quilts planned. Through this project, Carmen said she has learned a lot about fabric types, which probably would have pleased her mother, who bought Carmen her sewing machine.

I barely know Carmen, and never met her mother. But talking to her, and writing my weekly column (in the Dominion Post tomorrow), will always be special to me. To hear how she is keeping her bond through the tradition of quilting was incredibly touching, and writing it was an honor. I can honestly say this was the most emotional piece I've written, in my three years of weekly columns.

Yesterday, Carmen wrote a touching blog post about her mother - I highly recommend reading it. She also has a beautiful Instagram feed!

Photos Courtesy of Carmen Bowes