I have always loved to Quilt. I guess it is the same part of me that loves to put puzzles together and to scrapbook. I love it when things come together. I had done smaller projects for years, and was even in a "square of the month" quilting group for awhile, but then with more children and less time, the quilting went by the wayside. However, I knew it was time to start up again when my oldest daughter was graduating from High School and I wanted to make her a special gift.

I had seen signature quilts before and thought they were a great idea. The idea of a signature quilt is to have special people sign squares to be placed in the quilt with words of love, encouragement and well wishing. I dove right in, picking out the quilt pattern, cutting squares, sending out the squares to friends and relatives all over the country with specific instructions on where to write and even including the pen they were to use to write with. I thought I had all the details covered. I forgot to factor in that not everyone would follow the specific instructions, including when to have the square back to me.

As the squares arrived back to me, I began piecing them together with the rest of the pattern that I had already put together, as much as was possible. Eventually, all the pieces were there and as I sewed the final pieces together, I realized what this quilt really symbolized. As I had watched this quilt come together, I couldn't help but think of all those years I had watched my daughter grow up and come together into the fine young women she now was. Every block had brought tears, as did the final project, from me and later from my daughter when she received it. So many people who loved and cared for her had put their heart in to this quilt. She took it off to college with her, and now has it in her own apartment. I know it is very special to her. I have completed two more graduation quilts since then, and even thought the technique has improved, it was still a very emotional experience. These quilts will hold wonderful memories.

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