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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Decoration Day Quilt


When I'm Gone
By Mrs. Lyman Hancock

When I come to the end of my journey
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned
And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken;
Remember some good I have done.
Forget that I ever had heartache
And remember I've had loads of fun.



Forget that I've stumbled and blundered
And sometimes fell by the way.
Remember I have fought some hard battles
And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers
And remember the place where I lay,

And come in the shade of evening
When the sun paints the sky in the west
Stand for a few moments beside me
And remember only my best.


My inspiration was a Feedsack Flags small quilt in the book Patriotic Little Quilts, by Alice Berg, Sylvia Johnson, and Mary Ellen VonHolt, page 43:




Memorial Day, which used to be called Decoration Day,  is a day of remembrance in the United States for those who have died in service to our country.  My Decoration Day Quilt is 25 inches wide and 23 inches long, and is machine pieced and machine quilted.   Everything was from my stash, even the binding was left over from a quilt I made for a granddaughter.  I have memories of going with the whole town to the cemetery for a ceremony including a 21 gun salute, taps, and prayers, when I was a child.  My father wore his WWII uniform, and I waved a small flag, as did all the other children.


Here's a picture of the front of the quilt without the vase of flowers, and another picture of the back, showing the hanging corner triangles.


10 comments:

Sharyn Mallow Woerz said...

Lovely. Did you know Rob was shot down six times in 'Nam? God was saving him for me, and showing him it 'could' be worse than me :)

Handmade by Joan said...

I never knew that about Decoration Day. Thanks for sharing. It would be nice if Memorial Day had the same kind of significance. Your quilt is adorable.

Barb said...

nice poem -
I've always admired that little quilt in the book - Yours is so sweet and looks great with the flowers too, I just love daiseys

Leah Rubin said...

I hope you're not sick and tired of hearing me say how much I love your creations! You've done another beautiful job, and I think the poem is great!

I'm old enough to recall it being termed Decoration Day, too!

elizabeth said...

This is such a lovely, darling mini quilt. The poem was so sweet : ) And thanks for showing the hanging corner triangles. I need to remember to add these to my minis.

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This is a lovely quilt and I enjoyed the poem too :)

Myra said...

What a wonderful quilt! I love the American flag design. You did a wonderful job on it!

Jeanne said...

Love this little quilt!

Jeanne said...

Love this little quilt!

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Darling little quilt...I will have to put this book on mt want list!

:) Carolyn