Her Name was Louise
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 12:43PM What was your grandmother’s name? “Grandma” was my husband’s instinctual response. He had to think a minute, her name was Louise. Louise Specht Engler. She raised a garden and made the best bread and lemon meringue pie he has ever eaten.
I’ve heard of quilts “talking” but I’ve never experienced it to the extend I have with this one. As I sit and carefully take apart the crumbling portions of the lone star, I felt I needed to know more about the woman that made the quilt top. What was she like? What color were her eyes? Was she happy?
Some of the fabrics were clearly leftovers from some other project. Many of the diamonds are composed of smaller pieces joined together. The red dots (with the addition of a white collar and cuffs) would have made a cheery dress. The disintegrating striped fabric came from something special; maybe an Easter dress. Was the gingham a favorite apron or curtains at the kitchen window?
I’m going to send emails to my sister-in-laws asking about her and compile Louise’s story; maybe as part of the label on the back of the quilt. I think I might also take a break and make a lemon meringue pie.
Reader Comments (2)
Suzan, as one who thinks that every quilt deserves a label, I really hope that you add information about Louise on your! Great idea! (My grandmothers were Agnes and Estelle)
I find myself thinking some of the same things as you while working on my great-grandmother's quilt. (But I'll admit that some of the fabrics had me thinking, "Gosh I hope this one WASN'T a dress!" Hee hee! I'm fortunate to have photos, stories, and some of my own memories. Thanks for reminding me of how lucky I am to have this knowledge. I hope you can find some answers.