Comments on: Quilts

By: lauren

lauren — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 03:42:07 +0000

i thought this was very thoughtful, and examined well how objects can take on a symbolic comforting quality.

By: Mike Stucki

Mike Stucki — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:26:42 +0000

Crocheted, that is.

By: Terrall

Terrall — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:15:39 +0000

As a long time quilter, I have to state that by defination a “Quilt” is three layers; a top, batting and a backing, all held together by either quilting stitches or tied.

Although absolutely beautiful, what Joyce Carol Oates is referring to is not a Quilt. The beauty of what her mother made must bring her much comfort when she cuddles in it. I too have an Afghan that my Mother crocheted for me, and cuddeling in it is a hug from Mom. Enjoy

Thank you

By: Mike Stucki

Mike Stucki — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 18:48:07 +0000

I enjoyed Ms. Oates’s article. It reminded me of the my own feelings since my mother left us three years ago.
The photo accompanying the article, though, is not a quilt. It is an afghan composed of several crotched “granny squares” much like the ones my mother and mother-in-law have spent many, many hours making.

By: Kay

Kay — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 23:47:38 +0000

The beautiful, tender and sweet thoughts that she conveyed brought a “mist to my eyes and a lump in my throat”. I would like so much to tell her thank-you for the love you just knew she had for her dear mom. It also made me think back many many years. My Mom died when I was young – BUT there are many thoughts that came back as I read – the lovely rose colored and ivory quilt that mom made – now it belongs to my daughter. The spicy smell of her molasses cookies when I would come walking thru the door, after school, on a cold fall or winter day. How cold and lonely the house felt “after she was gone”. Its love like that – and the remembering – that makes our world a better place isn’t it. Thank-you Sat. Eve. Post! k

By: Charmaine

Charmaine — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 02:45:05 +0000

Ten years ago this month my own mother passed away and was buried in our home town. Her obituary didn’t do her justice. All those years of cooking daily meals, with special dinners on Sundays and holidays; forever cleaning, ironing, shopping and planning little occasions like birthdays—they weren’t mentioned. The afternoon she cried with my little brother when our calico cat Muffy was mangled by a neighbor’s dog and died—the many times she comforted us—those moments weren’t mentioned. We took Mom for granted. The obituary didn’t include how Mother also used to sew for my older half-sister and me when we were children. Once she made us matching long flannel nightgowns for Christmas, suitable for the Northwest winter. Later she made me a favorite dress and a green plaid jumper. I was so proud when my friends at junior high would compliment on them. I no longer have those outfits. But I do have, as a keepsake, a beautiful orange and white mohair throw blanket that mom crocheted when I was in my twenties. Call the creation a quilt, an afghan, a throw or a blanket, it doesn’t matter. Your mom made it, and after their passing, each is a “comforter.”

Oates’ reflection made it clear that she was really feeling the passages of life. Thank you.

By: Katharine Brainard

Katharine Brainard — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:44:19 +0000

Um, that doesn’t look like a quilt. The definition of a quilt is three layers (usually a top, middle of some kind of batting, and a bottom) that are stitched together through the layers somehow. That looks more like a crocheted afghan. You might not think it matters, but it does if you want to know what you’re talking about and use words correctly. Just like punctuation and grammar matters in the end result of a writer’s work, technique, materials and function matter in the end result of an artist’s or crafter’s work.