Spring Wheat Quilt

by Terrie
(Dundee, NY)

I owned a natural foods store - Spring Wheat - for 15 years. I made lunch every day, and many of my customers became like family, and were regulars for lunch. Aprons for every occasion were d'riguer.

When I closed, it was bittersweet, and I saved most of my special aprons (others I cut down and donated to our local HeadStart for painting and projects.) When I was closing, my "family" of patrons put together a surprise party for me, and assembled a remembrance book.

Folks contributed stories, memories, collages, pictures, etc.; some of these people had relocated, and I hadn't seen them in years. One of my employees/friends included a picture of little birds in a nest with their mouths open, waiting for mom to feed them - it absolutely conveyed the tone at lunchtime at the store!

One day, I happened upon a birdhouse quilt pattern, and knew that here was the perfect place to use my old aprons. I made 15 birdhouses from the various aprons, found birdhouse and related fabrics for borders, etc., and little, colorful bird buttons to put in the birdhouse openings.

At my annual Spring Wheat reunion party (to which I invite all my business family and friends), I shared it and everyone loved it. Can you believe that there were reminiscences about "Mexican Day" (when I made a different Mexican themed lunch every week), and holiday aprons (and parties at the store), and those who remembered the fabric from our very first aprons?!

It brought back great memories, some tears, and lots of love. It was my very first quilt, although I've sewn since high school. Right now, I'm working on a quilt with the insignia of my Italian car (I'm a car-nut in my spare time) and am utilizing some new techniques.