Priestess of Her Generation

Priestess quilt, for my grandmother

 A few days ago I finished making this improvised log cabin quilt for my grandmother Jane's ninety-second birthday. In an earlier post, Log Cabin in Taupes, I blogged about the work in progress. Shortly after that, I was able to give my mother a sneak preview of the completed quilt top. 

As so often happens, my mom saw something I had not. She saw that the white and cream crosses, made of lustrous silks and embroidered linen and framed with red and gold accents in silk and velvet, were the sacred vestments of a priest. 

From left: my mom, me, and my grandmother, 2013

My grandmother's brother Don was a priest in the Catholic church for many years before his death. Her son John is also a priest. She is devoted to the sacraments of the church, especially to the eucharist. My mother stated with clarity and certainty: "I have always thought that my mother was the priestess of her generation."

This quilt then, will be my grandmother's sacred garment. It is a testimony to the family she raised, the home that she made, the beauty of her art, and the resourcefulness, poise, and silken steel with which she faced life's many challenges. It is also a material sign of her deep faith, her life of prayer and sacraments, her mysticism, and her ministry.

The back of the quilt, made of linen by Robert Allen,
 shows the quilting lines: jewels for Queen Jane 

The rich visual texture of the piecing did not require complicated quilting. I chose quilting lines that suggested the facets of cut gems. My grandmother has never lived in luxury, but she carries herself like royalty. One of her nicknames is, aptly, Queen Jane.

My mother and father travel to visit my grandmother on Saturday to celebrate her birthday. I mailed the quilt on Wednesday in hopes that it will arrive on time for them all to see it together.

Happy birthday, Nani Jane! You are priestess and queen. You are inspiration and grace. With this quilt I send blessings and so much love.