nora123 Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Yesterday I met with a new customer. She brought me 5 quilt tops that were the most beautifully pieced one I have ever worked on. One will be custom. Mostly Batiks and tone on tones. She has 8 more tops for me to do. She also wants me to bind them for her. Here is where the story is sad. She is my age 52ish and was a gifted doctor until one day she noticed something was wrong with her balance. She went to a few doctors until one finally listened to her and ran all the right tests. She has MS. What I find so amazing about her is her attitude. She still enjoys life and quilts and knits. I had the best time with her. She sat in a chair and I on the floor in my studio and we measured all her quilts and picked out thread and quilting designs for about two hours. We also talked about life. I felt honored to finish her quilts for her as I know they will probably be the last ones she is able to piece. Nora Millennium Washougal WA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Nora, It sounds like these quilts will be special to you both! I think that is the most wonderful thing about quilting for others, you get to help finish something that means so much to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Oh, Nora, Heidi is SO right....we aren't just quilters...we in some cases are angels that have been sent to those who can't do for themselves. I have had several customers as this in my career and each one has become or was a special person...several of these have now gone on to their maker, but each quilt even though I haven't seen it in years is still a fresh memory. Like you just did, with her setting in the chair and you on the floor...talking. YOU will never forget those two hours, they will replay in your memory from time to time...and each will bring a smile to your face. And thank you for taking the time to do this...she will appreciate that more than you will EVER know....for you at the time it was customer relations, for her it was a special moment, and now you have a new friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Nora, Thank you for sharing your customer's story, my DH was diagnonsed with MS 5 years ago. It was scary but we managed, after 2 years with no change for better or worse we went to a new Dr. and had him tested from top to bottom, he actually has Parkinson's. It's manageable with meds for now. He is working at an upper level management job and luckily gets to work from home with only a little travel required. I am sure that her quilts will be fun for you to quilt and means so much to her for your special care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizziesgirl Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Nora, What a blessing. I have had some like this and they fill you with such joy to have the honor to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Nora what a very special story and what a blessing for you to be able to bless her. Thank you for sharing this honor with us. Puts everything in perspective about what it is we really do when we add thread and design to the tops that come our way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Hi Nora, Thanks for sharing this inspiring story. I'm glad that she found you to finish her treasures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Nora, I'd love to meet your customer.. she sounds like such a real love.. wonderful that she can still quilt and enjoy life to such an extent. I too wish I could have a customer like that, one that will sit and chat a bit. I realize though, when running a business that is busy, and time is tight, we may not have that much time. Good luck and God Bless.. RitaR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 You two were destined to meet. You are a real blessing to her, Nora. I can imagine her smiling as she cuddles under her quilts that you finish for her. Here is a note that I have typed and it's on the bottom of all of my customer's invoices. "It was a pleasure, and an honor to help you finish your quilt. Thank you very much for your business! Shana" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaDay Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 God seems to bring the right people at the right time to put life the universe, everything into perspective. Great story. I can't wait until you post the pics julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanramey Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 What fun you will have Nora finishing her quilts for her! I have a customer that made a quilt for her husband out of squares cut from his old Hawaiian shirts. She is suffering from cancer and won't be with him much longer. It is a joy to help her by quilting her masterpiece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Nora Doing quilts for customers is a business, but it is so wonderful when we arel allowed to bless people with our talents and share their lives through those talents. Enjoy the process and smile knowing you are so blessed. Jeanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April W Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 My favorite customer died yesterday morning. I helped her finish many beautiful quilts for her loved ones over the last 5 years. She battled cancer for the last 20 years and had to be the happiest person I know. The last 2 I finished were for her only daughter and her husband. She always had me make a label for the back with her signature image (a lighthouse) on them. I recently made a little gift for her in honor of our friendship... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 April, your stained glass lighthouse is very beautiful and a lovely tribute to your friend. I think that is her light that shines so brightly in your stained glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April W Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 I'm sure she will be missed by so many friends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Shana, I love what you put on your invoices!! Could I use that too? I tell everyone how much I appriciate their allowing me to do their quilt! But it written down would be very nice. Just let me know! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Linda, Yes, Absolutely!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted December 1, 2008 Report Share Posted December 1, 2008 Thanks Shana!! linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 What wonderful stories of how this passion we have for quilts and quilting is shared by so many. The friends we make along the way are treasured and enrich us all. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquiltit Posted December 2, 2008 Report Share Posted December 2, 2008 My first customer in 1995 was a little old lady in her 80's. She said that her mother had been dead for over 40 years and some of the tops were hers. I was really green ,but had practiced on a lot of sheets and my own quilts.She brought me 1 to start and she liked it so well, she brought me 12 more to do. She was determined to get them finished before she died and give them to the family members she wanted to have them. I got the job done and she got them all distributed to family members and died about 2 weeks after I had finished the last one.Her daughter called to thank me for helping her mother, get her task finished . Mrs. Frye really gave me the boost I needed to go on with my quilting business.I am still at it. Carol WV:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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