The quilting world lost four prominent figures over the summer of 2024—Freddy “Red Is a Neutral” Moran; Carole Lyles Shaw, a contemporary textile artist; Sarah Bond, known for her classic quilt designs infused with a contemporary flair; and Ruth B. McDowell, a pictorial fiber artist.
This prompted me to think about what would happen to all my quilting treasures when I am gone. Unfortunately, we can’t take them with us. And while we don’t like to think about it, we do want our precious creations and “stuff” to go to people who will appreciate them.
To explore this, I utilized a Facebook forum of more than 36,000 quilters to ask questions on this topic. The survey response was tremendous. Many had good ideas and even more said they couldn’t wait for the article to be published to help them prepare. While most respondents asked to remain anonymous, a few did give me permission to share their responses with readers.
For instance, one respondent, Carol, said, “My sister knows to grab everything quickly because my daughter-in-law, who’s not aware of the value, will toss everything.” Let’s face it: families (and the general public) don’t always know the value of quilts and quiltmaking equipment.
If you haven’t thought about it, now is as good a time as any to do so. There were a couple of popular answers among quilters with a plan. Often, the first call would be to quilting buddies, a guild, or family to get first dibs. (You’ll know who will appreciate your stuff more.) And daughters, especially quilting daughters, trumped sons. “My two daughters would split everything between them. Thank goodness they are addicted to quilting, too,” said Colleen, another survey respondent.
My favorite response was from Jolyn, who said, “My family knows to call my quilting friends, buy wine and snacks, and let them take whatever they want. The rest goes to our quilt guild to sell for fundraising.”
I also loved Rita’s plan for funeral favors: “All my quilts will be hung over the pews at my funeral. Family and friends can take what they want. Whatever is left goes to charity.” What if this causes a fight that leads to a brawl at the funeral? Well, that won’t be Rita’s problem.
What to do next varied between some kind of yard sale or donating to charitable organizations or a quilting guild. Evelyn has let her family know that her fabric and machines will go to The Navajo Quilt Project.
Who to Call?
I suggest you provide your family with three names and phone numbers.
What to Do?
In general, choices are to sell them, give them away, or donate them to any number of worthwhile causes.
Quilting supplies donated to SCRAP Creative Refuse in Richmond, Virginia. Photos by Azuree Holloway.
Fabric scraps and UFOs in Yolande van Heerden’s Greenwood, Mississippi, studio, TomboyART. Photos by Azuree Holloway.
Antique sewing machines at the Vintage Sewing Machine Center and Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Photos by Azuree Holloway.
Many quilters indicated that they have told someone what they wanted, but very few said that it was documented. “I’m in the process of putting all of my after death wishes in writing” was a common response on the survey. As for this writer, I personally have expressed my wishes, and my husband has even asked good questions about information he’d need. However, amid grief, I don’t think he will remember. Case in point, one grieving spouse overwhelmed with everything simply said, “I’m sending it all to the landfill.” This sent all our quilting friends into a panic to quickly document their desires.
At a minimum, a handwritten or typed and signed note will testify to your wishes. Secure it in a safe location: your home safe, bank lock box, or on the back of your sewing room or closet door. Some people write a note and attach it to each item. The best option is to create written instructions for specific items as an addendum to your will and advise your attorney.
I have lost a few of my own dear quilting friends. This prompted me to document a plan, which includes purging now. Along with my spring and fall house cleaning, I’m now also going through my studio, culling fabrics that no longer thrill me, projects I don’t intend to finish, tools that I have multiples of, and finding new homes for them. Let’s make it as easy as possible for our loved ones.
Diane L. Murtha is an award-winning quilter, fiber artist, author, and international lecturer and instructor. Quilting for over 30 years, she gravitated to art quilts and discovered she loves challenges. Her quilts and articles are included in books, 30 + magazines, and multiple juried exhibits and international shows. Diane published her first book, Artful Insights in Fiber: Quilted Bits of Wit & Wisdom in March 2023. She currently resides in Iowa. Learn more at www.dianeLmurtha.com, or follow her on Instagram @dianelmurtha.
