Family. History. Love and loss. I’ve touched every inch of this fabric. It’s absorbed my scent and the invisible oils of my skin, the smell of our household, the occasional drop of blood, and sometimes my tears. I’ve added to the piece through the years; it’s an ever-expanding record of our days as a family. There’s a swatch from Molly’s graduation gown, and a ribbon from the table decorations on her wedding day. There’s a piece from her husband’s desert fatigues, and little precious bits from my grandchildren. A tiny silver bell marks our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I’m already wondering what little symbol will commemorate our golden anniversary. I try not to plan ahead. Why rob life of its surprises?

I plan to take the quilt home with me tonight, and no doubt more keepsakes will make their way into the design. Life has taught me not to be afraid of starting something new.

How do you say goodbye to a piece of your heart? You don’t ever have to. There’s always a way to keep the things we hold most dear.

* * * * *

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

I’m very fortunate to have a publisher that allows me to put my heart on paper. Many thanks to my editor and great friend, Margaret O’Neill Marbury, and to everyone at MIRA Books. As always, I’m indebted to Meg Ruley, Annelise Robey and their associates at the Jane Rotrosen Agency—your wisdom, patience and friendship mean the world to me.

To my fellow writers—Anjali Banerjee, Kate Breslin, Carol Cassella, Sheila Roberts and Suzanne Selfors—thank you so much for reading multiple drafts and helping me pull this patchwork of emotion together.

I’m grateful to master quilter Marybeth O’Halloran for the insights and expertise into her colorful world—any liberties and errors in the text are my own. A very special thank-you to my dear friend, Joan Vassiliadis, for creating the original Goodbye Quilt and for sharing her talent in the pages of this book.

Fabric Requirements

Collect 100% cotton fabric scraps that have special meaning to you. Don’t be afraid to cut into old things. You will be able to enjoy them much more in a quilt that will be seen and touched every day. Make sure your scraps are at least 7" wide and total approximately 2 ½ yards. Inner border: ½ yard solid color to frame the string bars. Outer border: 5/8 yard. Backing: 3 ¼ yards. Binding: ½ yard.

Cutting Instructions

Cut approximately 220 strings all 7" in length—cut uneven widths ranging between 1" and 3". Inner solid border: cut 4 strips crosswise (from selvage to selvage) 2 ½" wide. Outer border: Cut 4 strips crosswise 4" wide. Binding: Cut 2 ½" strips to total the perimeter of your finished quilt.

Sewing Instructions