My Life in Stitches
January 20th, 2010 by Gayle
I don’t like having to put all this legal lingo here but the actions of a few unfortunately cause frustration for the many law abiding quilters I’m so happy to have visit Sentimental Stitches.
Please don’t copy or take images and other information from my site without permission…… it makes Clutch and I sad…….. just ask and we’re happy to give our consent, when appropriate! It’s not right when our patterns are mailed out in guild newsletters, or printed and passed out (or sold) to anyone so……
Please remember -
All material on this web site is, unless otherwise stated, the property of Sentimental Stitches. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Additional information is provided on the Legalities page.
Sharing the story of My Life In Stitches fulfills in part a promise I made to my father, Garrett Raterink. I was doing my best to interview him for the Boxes Under The Bed documentation project and he was doing his best to answer questions though it was difficult for him to speak. At one point, he took my hands in his, looked at me with tears in his eyes and said “you and I are the only ones who really love this old stuff, take care of it for me”. Looking back, with or without consciously knowing it I think Daddy was always preparing me “to take care of it”. For as long as I can remember he talked to me about the Wurzburg Quilts.
I earned my allowance in elementary school assembling catalogs and helping Daddy make quilting stencils. We always talked about the names of the quilts that used whatever design we were working on or he told me stories of things that happened when he worked with the Wurzburg’s.
In junior high I learned to run the machine used to cut the slots in quilting stencils and just after high school he taught me how to stamp the fabrics for a kit quilt. For a few years I was sent away from the fold to work in the real world but in 1978 I came back to work with Daddy again and stayed for 19 years. I remember him asking me where I thought the future of his company was and I confidently told him “the future is in the past” and in 1996 Sentimental Stitches came into being.
To start at the very beginning I need to go back in time and bring together four very special people so you’ll understand their connection to each other, their unusual dedication to quilting, family, community and their roles in My Life In Stitches. Some things will have nothing to do with the quilts and needlework collection I’ll share with you but many things will. I hope through both avenues of information you’ll gain some insight into each of these people and their tremendous contributions to the history of quilting.
I’ll begin with Jane Belknap Wurzburg, the talented lady who designed the vast array of quilt kits and needlework items offered for sale. Born September 1871 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Captain Charles E. Belknap and his wife Chloe. Her father was a famous early resident of Grand Rapids and a much celebrated officer serving with General Sherman during the Civil War.
As a small girl, I would stay with an Aunt in the country in the summer time. Once a week women from near by farms would come over, lower the quilting frame from the ceiling (by chains) and sit around it and quilt for the day. The children were welcome to join in. Of course our attention span was short and out side we went to play. I always knew I wanted to quilt and when I was in my 50’s I started. It has been a relaxing, enjoyable hobby. I’ve met so many nice people, went to camps for quilting and many classes. I belong to a quilt guild and it is my most treasured place to go and sew with friends.
Edna Forbes, Texas
I understand Edna. I retired from teaching a year ago after a sudden illness. I was so depressed the first year; missing school, my friends and most of all my students. Winter stretched out long and bleak. I heard about a quilting group at my church that makes hand tied quilts for orphanges, so I went. I loved what they were doing because it was color, texture, pattern and fun. I took quilting lessons this past spring and fell in love. I hate to sew, but love doing this. It’s an art fix for my creative side. I’ve finished one king size quilt and have three more almost ready for the machine quilters. I can’t seem to quit buying fabric and printing out quilt patterns from the internet. I already have three huge notebooks full of ideas.
[...] My Life in Stitches [...]
[...] My Life in Stitches [...]
[...] My Life in Stitches [...]
Gay, I am so loving your Life in Stitches story. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Hi, I am really enjoying your Life in Stitches story. I grew up in Grand Rapids and remember going to Wurzburg’s as a child. I have a quilt my mother made for me {but never got finished till my sister came along.} Anyway… it may have been one from Wurzburg’s. I enjoy all the vintage patterns and items you have shown on your website. Thanks for sharing!