Recently I’ve been receiving donations in memory of a woman named Viola Kraemer. I’ve never met Viola…and each time I receive a donation online or in the mail I find myself wanting to know more about her.
Viola was a quilter in Minnesota and it is clear that she was well-loved. I looked up her obituary today and learned a little more about her. How touched I was to read the last sentence, suggesting that donations be made to The Sewing Machine Project in her honor. We are a little nonprofit and these donations have really added up, not only allowing our programs to grow and flourish but in so doing, keeping Viola’s memory alive as well.
I am honored that her family and friends choose to remember her through The Sewing Machine Project. It is a wonderful way to remember someone to whom sewing meant so much.
We also had a lovely grandma (also named Viola) we knew from church who made quilts of double knit fabrics. She sewed quilts and we dispersed them for her to single moms, the homeless, Christian camp, and those in need.
She was always cutting squares and sitting at her machine putting them together. She sewed into her 90’s.
I was blessed growing up with my Grandma Anna making 1000 pieced Around the World quilts – one for each of her grandchildren-, using her treadle machine as well as her electric.
She would sit in the floor even into her 80’s tying the quilts with yarn. My Aunt Althea also made quilts of corduroy and other recycled fabrics. My Mom made quilts for us also in my married years. Now I’m passing the sewing heritage onto my girls. We are sewing baby blankets now for an African orphanage . It’s a blessing!!
These sewing memories are so dear to us!
Thank you for sharing!
Margaret