Blanket Statements

The last thing I really wanted to think about this weekend was food–funny how stomach flu has a way of making everything seem unappetizing.

I started to make a new recipe for flourless chocolate cake on Saturday only to get as far as buttering the springform pan: I didn’t want to eat it, and neither would I want to eat a cake made by someone recovering from stomach flu, so I just stopped right there.

And made some blankets instead.

I promise this isn’t going to morph into a craft blog, much as I love me some crafty fabulousness, but just let me show you what I’ve been doing instead of what I’ve been thinking for a change, ‘k?

Because thoughts and words can be warm and cozy and pretty but not the same way blankets can!

One for each boy…

And two for me. (But I’ll share.)

Before you begin to worship me as the Goddess of the Domestic for making 4 blankets in 1 weekend, let me clarify: only the recycled denim blanket was made start-to-finish this weekend, and it’s so sloppy and shabby BY DESIGN that it really wasn’t hard.

The middle blanket has been almost done for MONTHS and it was in the almost-better-boredom of recovering from flu that the pain of looking at that nearly-finished thing became greater than the pain of doing the part I hate and I finally sewed on the blue binding.

The boys’ blankets were also almost completely finished as of {eek!} about two years ago. All I did this weekend was back the quilt tops with some thick, cozy, fuzzy fabric–they don’t even need any batting.

Aidan (6) said this, and I’m not even exaggerating: “It’s beautiful…it’s so beautiful; I can’t wait to curl up in it. Now it’s my favorite blanket because you made it for me…I love you!

“Oh, and I’m going to put the side with my name OUT so that when I’m under it people will know it’s me.”

Uh, okay.

I bought the fabric for the boys’ blankets from a Dutch man at an outdoor fabric market in Germany on a very, very cold day two years ago.

The other blankets were pretty much entirely thrifted, ‘cept for the thread:

I collected striped men’s shirts from thrift stores for the middle quilt top, and used an old blanket for batting and a vintage (but new) cotton sheet as a backing.

The rag quilt is made from old jeans that people saved for me–oh, and I had cut them into blocks ages ago so, see? it wasn’t start to finish–and from two yards of  pretty cotton flannel I found new (but just $2) at a thrift store.

I love making old things new. Sorry to get all theological, but it just feels…redemptive. And somehow incarnational. If that’s a word.

Writing and words are great and all, but blankets? Sometimes blankets–not words–are what you need. If the Internet was about exchanging blankies in addition to words there would be better discussions and less hating. I’d like to give the world a blankie.

Because look, even my cats are pi$$ed about the state of things:

{I guess they need a blankie.}

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5 thoughts on “Blanket Statements

  1. What a blessing you are. Homemade blankies are so nice, with each one being different. Such a nice way to use old fabrics or clothing. My grandmother would have been so proud of you. The boys are proud of mommy too and I love how they showed you how happy they were and the I love you comment. Lot of work went into them but it was worth it all. Thanks for shareing!

  2. Pingback: And Another One Down « Eat With Joy!

  3. Pingback: In the Flesh | Rachel Marie Stone

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