The Quilter's Last Will And Testament*

I,___________________________,being
of sound mind (a statement which does not bear close examination) do
hereby record my last will and testament.
Knowing that
__________________________________, my _________________ (husband, sister, or
friend) hasn’t the least understanding or appreciation for, or for that matter,
knowledge of my extensive fabric collection, which collection is suitably
deposited in sundry places for safekeeping.
Knowing also that
___________________________ has already notified the local dumpster to pick up
and dispose of the before mentioned collection "willy-nilly" (the thought of
which causes me a most severe case of hives).
Therefore, I do will this
collection and all other collections related to it, to my dear friend and fellow
fabric preservationist, _________________________.
It is my wish that she/he,
upon hearing of my death and obtaining clear proof that I did not manage,
although goodness knows I tried, to take it with me, would come to my home post
haste, before the dumpster, and search out my collection which is similarly
stored at her own abode.
That she should rescue said
collection and stack it in my quilting studio, along with my sewing machines,
frames, old buttons, lace, patterns, quilts, dolls and works in
progress.
After she/he has done this,
she/he should purchase refreshments for my friends not yet departed, which
friends are also her/his friends, and every last one shall be in that room and
they shall hold a wake and say lovely and kind things about me until they run
out and then they shall divide amongst themselves, by lot, my wonderful
collection.
I shall be hovering over
that very spot until this is done. _______________________ shall then quit this
spot and close the door, leaving trivialities to those who do not understand.
This is my wish on the matter.
Signed: ____________________
Date: ___________
Notarized:
__________________ Date: ___________
*This is not a legal
document
Written By Elinor Peace
Baily,
Published in "The Cloth Doll"
Spring/Summer 1990
All kidding aside, recently a friend of mine, and fellow quilter, had an aunt (also a fellow quilter) who passed away. During her last days, the aunt told my friend to please go clean out her sewing room and take anything she wanted, her machines, her stash, her rulers, her books and patterns, anything and everything she wanted. My friend told her not to worry about her sewing room and that she didn't want to take anything as the aunt might get better and need it (knowing full well that that was not going to happen but wanting to give the Aunt hope). After the Aunt's passing, the daughter, (not a fellow quilter or sewer) started randomly giving away "stuff" for her mother's sewing room. She gave away fabric for UFO's but didn't give the already partially made blocks, etc and you can imagine what an even bigger mess she has created. And you guessed it, none was offered to my friend! How very sad for my friend! She has spent the last 7-10 years toting her aunt around to shop hops, workshops, quilt shows and anywhere else related to quilting and is getting nothing offered to her! Can you tell this upsets me?Published in "The Cloth Doll"
Spring/Summer 1990
It got me to thinking and I told my husband, "Do not even think about attempting to clean out my sewing room and studio on your own! I have left instructions with my quilting friends and they will know exactly what to do!" Lucky for me, I also have a daughter who isn't the quilter I am, but has made a few quilts in her very young age and at least has some knowledge about what a rotary cutter is and how to use it. I sure hope they do the right thing when the time comes. I'm confident they will.
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