This week I am finishing the fifth wedding quilt in as many months. Thirty basket blocks arrived in one batch last week and I eagerly began to assemble them. These are a pattern that is supposed to end up at nine square inches. Usually I need to trim a bunch of them, and add more fabric to others. Only some are actually the correct size. That is not a problem, I account for it, but this time block after block measured exactly right. I noticed that they were all carefully pressed as well, something that I do not ask for, but appreciate when it happens. The points too were well matched, which helped everything line up. The last quilt I made was a log cabin with variations in the strip sizes, and embraced the wide spread of fabrics, and sewing styles.
But this time the baskets differed only as to what was inside. One held flowers, another volleyballs. One had puppies, and another held a chef's hat. Two were filled with chickens and one was overflowing with carrots. The only thing missing was signatures. No one wrote their name.
After most of the blocks were in place, a friend brought over a few more. With them she gave me a story from behind the scenes.
"I found out something about those thirty blocks. One woman made them all!" We both laughed, and suddenly the consistency made complete sense. "She filled them with things other people wanted, and at the wedding they will sign them."
I chuckled as I included these new blocks, and cut enough setting triangles to finish the top. I laid it out on the floor to enjoy its beauty and color. Each followed the same template, creating unity of design. Yet each was unique in how it was filled. Even the chicken blocks were a little different, like identical twins, which is something the seamstress and I have in common.
It reminded me of the interplay between similarities and distinctions in marriage. Some folks are introverts, others fill a room with their energy. There are differing love languages, like acts of service and physical touch. One couple will fight boisterously, while another will run from conflict.
Yet our Creator made us all from the same template. We need to love and be loved, or we fall apart at the seams.
Love is the very life of every person.
-Divine Love and Wisdom
