The Healing Power of a Quilt
Over 15 years ago, the Inreach/Outreach Committee at Newtown Friends Meeting had an idea for an intergenerational activity. They would make a quilt composed of the hands of all the meeting members, young and old. The children of the meeting would paint the palms of the adults, then have them place their painted hand on a 9” square of muslin fabric. After the paint dried, they would have them sign their name to identify whose hand it was.
The kids got a kick out of this activity. It was an opportunity for them to interact with older Friends that they may never have spoken with before. The adults also got to know the kids better, and they were tickled (literally – it tickles to have your hand painted) to be taking part in the project. After the adults were done, the kids also got to paint their own hands and the hands of their peers.
After all the painting and signing was done, there were about 100 fabric squares with handprints. The youngest was a baby only a few months old; the oldest was well into their 80s. All in all there were enough squares to make two quilts.
After they were finished, they were quickly dubbed “Healing Quilts,” which are now shared with members and attenders in need. Friends get them for a variety of reasons: a death in the family, a surgical procedure, or if someone is going through an especially difficult time in their life. Receiving one has been described as “like getting a hug from the whole Meeting.” You can keep the quilt until you feel ready to return it to the meeting–there is no time limit. A small notebook accompanies the quilt so you can share your thoughts and feelings if you feel moved to. These quilts have been in constant circulation since they were made.
I was the recipient of one of the quilts this past spring, when my mom passed away at the ripe old age of 94. I kept the quilt for over a month, sleeping under it each night. Knowing that the hands of Friends – some still with us, others who have passed away – were holding and comforting me was a great joy.
Newtown Meeting has had quite a few new members since these quilts were made. It might be time to cut some fabric, buy some paint, get out the sewing machine, and make another quilt (or two!) and build some more memories.