The Good Work Women Do With Their Hands

by Alice Luchini

This is my collection of quilts. They hang on my sewing room wall. I started collecting these to help with your cause because my husband’s maiden aunts, Marie and Louise Mock, both suffered from Alzheimer’s. Louise was an excellent seamstress and this seemed to be the perfect way to honor their memory.

As you can see, there is no consistency in what I collect.

9164 – Little Posey by Lisa Dodson

7052 – Thistly by Martha Wolfersberger

8756 – Farmer’s Family by Audrey Arno

I look for quilts that inspire me like the beautiful flower Lisa Dodson created to the left in the photo or the detail that is amazing in Martha Wolfersberger and Audrey Arno’s quilts.

I know I do not have the patience to work in such tiny detail so I bought their quilts to simply own a piece of great workmanship. 

7363 – Around the Garden in Miniature by Rebecca Yoder

I was especially attracted to Rebecca Yoder’s quilt because it has so many lovely techniques in it that I know I would never bother to learn or do them. It’s also traditional (which is typically not me) and so exquisite I was willing to go as high as necessary to own it. I am so glad I won this quilt.

I bought the little postcards to add some punch to my wall and break things up a little and because I just loved the tatting on them.

6298 – Out to Lunch by Marlene Woodfield

The two bunny quilts were bought because I love bunnies. But who could have resisted either of the two I won…especially Marlene Woodfield’s darling felted baby bunny?

My embroidery machine and serger are in a large cabinet in front of this wall so I can see these quilts as I sew. They make me smile and remind me of the good work women do with their hands every day and of the lovely work my grandmother, mother, and aunt have done over the years. I feel grateful when I sew for the legacy these women left me, for the great joy sewing gives me, and for the wonderful good a bit of handwork can do……one stitch at a time. Despite all my education and work accomplishments, these humble bits of cloth and thread remind me that it is the simple things that can do the greatest good. They humble me and keep me grounded. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my thoughts and to have a reason to reflect on my motivation.

I think I need to go bid on some more quilts!

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The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative February online quilt auction ends February 10th. Please bid generously as all profits fund Alzheimer’s research.

The Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative® (www.AlzQuilts.org) is a national, grassroots charity whose mission is to raise awareness and fund research. The AAQI auctions and sells donated quilts, and sponsors a nationally touring exhibit of quilts about Alzheimer’s. The AAQI has raised more than $894,000 since January 2006.
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