The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Today I want to teach you how to do the quilting stitches on your wall hangings. So if everyone will lay their work on the table, I’ll tell you what we’ll be doing next.”

  Once everyone had done as Emma asked, she explained that the process of stitching three layers of material together was called quilting.

  “But before we begin the actual process, you’ll each need to cut a piece of cotton batting approximately two inches larger than your wall hanging on all sides,” she said. “The excess batting and backing will then be trimmed even with the quilt top after all the quilting stitches have been completed.”

  Emma handed some batting to each of her students. “Now, in order to create a smooth, even quilting surface, all three layers of the quilt need to be put in a frame,” she continued. “For a larger quilt, you would need a quilting frame that could stretch and hold the entire quilt at one time. But since your wall hangings are much smaller than a full-sized quilt, you can use a frame that’s similar to a large embroidery hoop.” She held up one of the frames she’d placed on the table earlier.

  “That suits me just fine,” Jan spoke up. “‘Cause I’ve done some embroidery work before and know all about usin’ a hoop.”

  Emma smiled. “It’s important when using this type of hoop to baste the entire quilt together through all three layers. This will keep the layers evenly stretched while you’re quilting. Just be sure you don’t quilt over the basting, or it will be hard to remove those stitches later on.”

  Emma waited patiently until each person had cut out their batting. Then she said, “The next step is to mark out the design you want on your quilt top. However, if you just want your quilting to outline the patches you’ve sewn, then no marking is necessary. You’ll simply need to quilt close to the seam so the patch will be emphasized.”

  Emma went on to tell them about needle size, saying that it was best to try several different sizes to see which one would be the most comfortable to handle. She also stated that the use of a snuggly fitting thimble worn on the middle finger of the hand used for pushing the quilting needle was necessary, since the needle would have to be pushed through three layers of fabric repeatedly. She demonstrated on one of her own quilt patches, showing how to pull the needle and thread through the material to create the quilting pattern.

  “The stitches should be tiny and even,” she said. “Oh, and they need to be snug, but not so tight that they’ll create any puckering.”

  Stuart frowned. “That looks way too hard for me. My hands are big, and I don’t think I can make tiny stitches or wear that thimble thing you mentioned. It was hard enough sewing the pattern pieces together on the sewing machine.”

  “For now, rather than worrying about the size of your stitches, just try to concentrate on making straight, even stitches,” Emma instructed. “Don’t worry when you’re doing your best, and remember, I’m here to help you.”

  “Okay,” Stuart mumbled. It was obvious that he still wasn’t comfortable using a needle and thread. But at least he was here and trying his best. Emma had to give him credit for that.

  “Yeow!” Jan hollered. “My thimble fell off, and I just pricked my finger with the stupid needle! Think I’d do better without the thimble.” He stuck his finger in his mouth and grimaced. “That sure does hurt!”

  Stuart snickered.

  Jan glared at him. “What are you laughin’ at, man?”

  “I’m not laughing.”

  “Yeah, you were.”

  “I wasn’t laughing at you.”

  “I think you were.”

  Stuart, red-faced and looking guilty said, “I was just thinking that a big tough guy like you with all those tattoos on your arms shouldn’t even flinch if he pricks his finger.”

  Emma held her breath, wondering how Jan would respond.

  “Well, what can I say,” Jan said. “I may be a big strong man, but I bleed like anyone else.”

  Emma breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I haven’t gotten the hang of using the thimble yet either,” Paul interjected, looking over at Stuart. “Even though I know it’s supposed to help, to me it just gets in the way and feels kind of awkward. You know what I’m saying?”

  Stuart nodded and went back to work on his quilting project.

  After the first hour had passed, Emma went to the kitchen to get some refreshments. It always seemed like things went better in the class after she’d given her students a snack.

  When she returned to the sewing room, she served them coffee, iced tea, and some rhubarb crunch that she’d baked last night before going to bed. As they ate their refreshments, Emma asked each one how their week had gone.

  Pam was the first to respond. “It was okay, I guess. Probably would have been better if Stuart and I hadn’t argued so much.” She cast a quick glance in his direction, and he glared at her.

  “Knock it off, Pam. Nobody wants to hear about the problems we’re having.”

  She dropped her gaze to the table and mumbled, “Well, we wouldn’t have those problems if we’d both stayed single.”

  “You’ve made a good point,” he said with a nod.

  Emma, feeling the need to intervene, quickly said, “Did you two ever stop to think how your life would be if you hadn’t gotten married?”

  Neither Pam nor Stuart said anything.

  “Think about it,” Emma continued. “If you hadn’t married each other, you wouldn’t have your two precious children.”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it before, but that’s true.” Stuart looked over at Pam. “That’s somethin’ to be grateful for, right?”

  She gave a slow nod.

  “Just remember,” Emma said. “It’s important for you to work at your marriage if for no other reason than for the sake of your children.”

  Pam’s chin trembled a bit. “Thanks, Emma. You’ve given us something to think about.”

  Emma smiled, pleased that they’d made a little progress. She turned to Paul then and asked about his week.

  “It went pretty well,” he replied. “It was nothing like the stressful one I had previously. I took Sophia shopping for new shoes yesterday afternoon, and I can’t believe how big she’s getting. Her shoe size actually went up a notch,” he added with a proud-father grin. “Plus, she’s growing out of her clothes faster than I can buy new ones.”

  “That’s what kids do,” Stuart said with a chuckle. “They grow up way too quick. It seems like just yesterday when our two were babies, and now they’re both old enough for school.”

  Paul smiled. “Sophia’s saying a few words now, too. She calls me ‘Pa-Pa-Pa,’ and has even learned the word no. It probably won’t be too long before she’s trying to walk.” Paul’s face sobered. “Too bad my wife’s sister won’t be around to see any of Sophia’s childhood.”

  Emma went over to Paul and placed her hands on his shoulders. “I know it must be hard for you to have your sister-in-law cutting you and Sophia out of her life, but just keep praying for her and trusting that someday her eyes will be open to the truth, and she’ll make amends.”

  “I know I need to keep praying,” Paul said. “In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, it says we are to pray continually. It’s just that sometimes it’s hard—especially when we don’t see answers to our prayers.”

  “Oh, God always answers. Sometimes He says yes. Sometimes, it’s no. And sometimes He just wants us to be patient and wait.” Emma looked at each one in the room. “Prayer is always a good thing, and for me, when I combine quilting and prayer, I can feel the love of God surrounding me.”

  “I’ve never believed much in prayer before,” Jan spoke up, “but when I thought Brutus was dead, I prayed to God.”

  “So your prayer was answered then,” said Emma.

  Jan gave a nod. “Made me wonder if I oughta start goin’ to church.” His face reddened a bit. “‘Course, I’m not sure how folks would feel about a tattooed biker like me showin’ up at their church.” He looked at Ruby Lee. “What do you think? Wo
uld a guy who’s rough around the edges be welcomed in your church?”

  “Why certainly,” she replied, “but then I’m not sure how much longer Gene and I will be there, and—”

  “What do you mean?” Star interrupted. “I thought your husband was the pastor of your church.”

  “Well, he is … right now, at least.” Ruby Lee went on to tell the class that she and her husband had taken a few days off and stayed at a B&B near Middlebury where they’d talked things through and prayed about their situation. “It didn’t solve the problems we’ve been faced with at the church,” she said, “but it did give us some time alone to reflect and spend some much-needed time in prayer.”

  Emma took a seat beside Ruby Lee, grateful for the opportunity to speak to her about this. “I’m glad you were able to do that, Ruby Lee. After talking with Lamar and hearing how things went last week, I knew you must be hurting, so I tried calling you several times. Now I know why you didn’t return my calls.”

  “That’s right, and I didn’t call when we got home last night because I knew I’d see you today.”

  “I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do and let you know that I’ve been praying for you,” Emma said, giving Ruby Lee’s arm a gentle squeeze.

  Ruby Lee smiled. “Thanks, Emma. I appreciate that.”

  “And you know,” Emma added, “God doesn’t want us to lose faith in Him or become full of despair. He wants us to trust Him and keep praying as we wait and hope for the best.”

  “I know,” Ruby Lee said quietly. “I’m working hard at trying to do that.”

  When everyone had finished their refreshments and begun quilting again, Emma turned to Jan and asked, “How’d your week go?”

  His face broke into a wide grin. “Pretty good. I’ve been spendin’ more time with Brutus in the evenings, and he seems to be much calmer now. We try to get in a walk around the neighborhood before it gets dark, and I’m actually gettin’ to meet more of my neighbors in a positive way now.”

  “I’m glad your dog came back,” Emma said sincerely.

  “Yeah, me, too. While he was gone, I really missed the mutt.”

  “It made me sick to see that dead dog lying by the side of the road and then wondering who it belonged to and if some child would go to bed that night missing his dog,” Paul said.

  “Yeah,” Stuart interjected. “People ought to keep a closer watch on their pets.”

  Emma turned to Star to check in on her week.

  “It was terrible … especially this morning when I found out that my mom’s definitely gettin’ married again—to that guy I don’t even like.”

  “I know you’re not happy about this,” Emma said, “but do you think your mother’s happy?”

  Star shrugged. “She seems to be.”

  “Then maybe you should be happy for her, too,” Pam put in.

  “I’d like to be, but I can’t imagine Mike livin’ in the same house with us, criticizing everything I wear, making fun of my songs, and tellin’ me what to do all the time.”

  Emma gave Star’s shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”

  “Guess we’ll have to wait and see how it goes.” Star frowned. “If Mike keeps tellin’ me what to do and tries to act like he’s my dad, then I’ll probably end up movin’ out on my own.”

  “I’ll be praying for your situation,” Emma said.

  “Thanks. Like Jan, I’ve never held much stock in prayer, but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have a few prayers goin’ up just in case there is a God and He might actually be listening.”

  “Oh, there’s a God all right,” Paul interjected. “He is the One true God, and without my faith in Him, I’d never have made it this far since Lorinda died.”

  “Same with me after Ivan passed,” Emma added. “Psalm 71, verse 3 tells us that God is our rock and our fortress. I’m real thankful for that.”

  Ruby Lee nodded, and so did Paul, but everyone else remained quiet as they continued to quilt. Emma hoped they were all taking the words of the psalm to heart and that any of her students who didn’t know the Lord in a personal way would someday make that decision.

  For the rest of the class, things went along fairly well. Then shortly before it was time to go, Paul said, “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought some pictures I took of Sophia the other day. Would anyone like to see them?”

  “Of course we would.” Ruby Lee smiled. “Who doesn’t like to look at baby pictures?”

  Paul reached into the sack he’d brought his quilting project in and pulled out a manila envelope. Then he removed two eight-by-ten photos of Sophia and shared them with the class.

  “So, you took these pictures of your daughter?” Stuart asked, passing them on to Pam.

  Paul smiled. “I sure did, and I was pretty pleased with the way they turned out.”

  “Well, let me tell you, Paul,” Pam said, “these are just as good as the pictures we had professionally done of our kids last Christmas. I think they’re amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Paul fairly beamed. “I’ve been interested in photography since I was eleven years old when my parents gave me a camera for Christmas. I still have that camera, but these days, I use a digital. You know, these new cameras today can almost do the work for you.”

  “Say, man, you have a real talent there,” Jan said after he’d been shown the photos. “If I had skills like that at takin’ pictures, I’d be snappin’ photos all the time.”

  Emma couldn’t miss the tender look on Jan’s face when he studied Sophia’s picture. It was too bad he had no wife or children. Emma figured Jan probably liked it that way, because she knew that some folks, like her, preferred to remain single. It wasn’t that she liked not being married, for she’d certainly enjoyed the years she and Ivan had together. She just wasn’t open to the idea of getting married again.

  “I’m sure my parents had no idea the camera they gave me would introduce me to a hobby I enjoy to this day,” Paul went on to say.

  “Would you like to see some pictures of my twin boys when they were little?” Ruby Lee asked. Before anyone could respond, she had her wallet open and the pictures passed around.

  Next, Pam shared some photos of her and Stuart’s children, and then Star pulled a picture from her wallet. “Here’s one of me when I was a baby,” she said, handing it to Pam.

  Pam squinted at the picture. “You were a cute baby, and I assume that’s your mother holding you on her lap?”

  Star nodded.

  “What happened there?” Stuart asked, looking over his wife’s shoulder. “It looks like someone’s picture’s been torn out.”

  “Yeah. My mom ripped it out ‘cause it was my dad, and I guess she was really angry with him.” Star frowned. “That creep gave me an ugly name, and then before I was even old enough to remember what he looked like, the bum bailed. I used to wish he’d come back so I could get to know him, but maybe it’s best that he didn’t, ‘cause if he didn’t care enough about my mom to want to marry her, then he probably didn’t care about me.”

  Everyone in the room became quiet. Even Emma didn’t know what to say. No wonder this poor young woman hid behind her dark clothes and seemed so confused about things. She’d never known her father and was obviously deeply troubled about him running out on them when she was a baby. Who could blame her for that? Oh, how she wished there was something she could do to make things better for Star.

  “Can I see the picture?” Ruby Lee asked.

  Pam handed it to her.

  Ruby Lee studied the photo; then she looked over at Star and smiled. “You were a beautiful baby, and you’re a lovely young woman now.”

  “I agree,” Emma said, giving Star a tender hug.

  Star blinked a couple of times like she was holding back tears. “Thanks. No one’s ever said that about me before.”

  “I’d like to see the photo, too,” Jan spoke up. “Whoever that bum of a father of yours was didn’t know what he was doin’ when he
walked out on you.”

  Ruby Lee handed Jan the photo. He sat several seconds, staring at it with a peculiar expression while shaking his head as though in disbelief. He glanced away then back again, as if to clear his vision. Then he looked over at Star, and in a voice barely above a whisper, he asked, “Is your real name Beatrice Stevens?”

  Star nodded, squinting her eyes. “Yeah. How’d you know that?”

  Slowly, Jan reached into his back pocket, removed his wallet, and pulled out a picture. “Take a look at this.” His hands shook as he handed it to Star, but he didn’t make eye contact with her. “It’s the same picture you have, only as you can see, in my picture I’m not ripped out.”

  Star blinked and stared at him as though he’d taken leave of his senses. Everyone else sat without saying a word.

  “Bunny was my girlfriend,” Jan said, his eyes turning glassy.

  “Bunny?” Star repeated.

  “Yeah. Bunny was Nancy’s nickname. I started callin’ her that when we first started dating ‘cause her nose twitched whenever she got upset.” Jan paused and swiped his hand across his forehead where sweat had beaded up.

  Star sat rigid, refusing to look at him.

  “Bunny and I met when we both lived in Chicago. We dated awhile and then moved in together. Several months later, I found out she was gonna have a baby, so I asked her to marry me.” Jan stopped talking again, and there was a break in his expression. Emma sensed the strong feelings that had swept over him. Drawing in a couple of deep breaths, he continued. “At first, Bunny said she’d have to think about it. Then, as the time got closer to our baby bein’ born, she finally agreed to marry me but said she wanted to wait till after the baby came.” Jan’s voice quavered a bit; then it steadied. “When our little girl was born, we named her Beatrice after my mom.”

  Star’s hands had started shaking now, too, and her voice squeaked as she stood and pointed at Jan. “You … you’re my dad?”

  “It’s really a shocker, but yeah, I think I am,” Jan said as though hardly believing it himself.