Retirement Quilts- Maj Scott, USAF
Recently, Maj Scott contacted me regarding her upcoming retirement from the USAF. She had a grand idea to combine all types of her military uniforms, from 20+ years of service, with her daughter’s blankets to create two quilts. The quilts will then be presented to her daughter’s at her retirement ceremony. Pretty neat, right?
She brought by a collection of fuzzy, soft, snuggly blankets that the girls’ had used as babies. A few of the blankets were embroidered with each daughter’s name. Awe. She also dropped off a wonderful collection of military uniforms, which she no longer needed.
I carefully cut the blankets and uniforms into 10″ squares. Though I had a grand plan for a more complicated pattern, once I dove into the design and stitching portion of making these quilts, it was clear that the snuggly, fuzzy, blankets were too stretchy and shifty to cut precise smaller shapes. That’ll be ok.
Each new quilt is 7 squares by 9 squares. Yes, roughly 70″ x 90″ for each little daughter.
See those little bibs? She had a couple saved,and I was able to machine stitch them to darker jungle camo prints for high contrast.
(my logo watermark isn’t on the quilt, just the picture)
In all the cases where a pocket was saved, I made sure that the pocket could be used. Not only is this quilt a serious memory, tear-jerking overload, but she can also hide messages in the pockets to each girl. Awe.
After removing the name, rank and branch of service tapes, I restitched them to the center of uniform blocks. See the eyelet fabric at the top-center of the photo below? That fabric was part of another actual small quilt gifted to the girls by their grandmother. I was able carefully unstitch that piece to incorporate two pieces of the eyelet fabric in each quilt.
Once the quilts were loaded onto the longarm, the quilted up very quickly. Of course, this will be the project where I look back wishing I had one of those “glide” or “bowl” presser feet for my machine. I hit a few heavy seams and nicked the tip of my left index finger. (Phew, no blood on the quilt!!!!) Glide foot is in my future!
There will not be a dry eye in the house! I love her sentimental idea. Congratulations, Maj Scott, and thank you for your service!!
4 Comments
Golly, what a lovely, tear-jerker of an idea for a quilt! You did a beautiful job of incorporating everything of importance. I hope she’ll send pictures you can post of the retirement party and the daughters receiving these priceless memory treasures!
August 16, 2017
Congrats Major Scott. My hero’s do not wear capes!!!
August 17, 2017
Jen,
I cannot wait to place these memory filled blankets into my girls’ arms. Every time I look at them, it brings a flood of emotions due to everything I have done and endured for the last twenty years. I don’t know if I told you why these blankets are so special to me: I was told I would not be able to have children without in vitro fertilization. I only had one Fallopian tube due to 2 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy. I tried for 13 years to have my firstborn, Mia, who is now 9. I gave up trying for another child after another 6 years of trying. Yet, then came Zoe, who just turned 2 years old. So, my vision that you brought to life in a masterpiece of art literally means the world to me! Thank you so much!
September 12, 2017
Thank you so much for letting me be part of this! Thank you for your service.
September 20, 2017