Behind the Seams of a Work of Heart

This post is probably the first post where we are actually taking you behind some scenes like the title of the blog implies. It is hard to know where to begin when the post subject dates back 15 years. It all began at the beginning of B4SMA, in fact, some of it may have come before the official start. Gma Jlo saved "scraps" of fabric used in making blankets that were quilted. At the time, we weren't sure what the purpose of saving each piece would turn out to be, but none the less, the ritual continued up until the end of 2018. Each and every blanket made with flannel, by volunteers Gma Jlo, UNI B, DynamiTe, and Gram Losstitch, is represented as they saved their scraps also. For the better part of the last 15 years, those scraps have simply piled up at Gma Jlo's house waiting to find their purpose. 

At the beginning of 2019, Gma Jlo got tired of having all these pieces, some little and some bigger, just sitting in her closet. Whether or not she will ever admit this, she is kind of a genius. She decided to take all of the scraps of flannel and turn them into a memory quilt, of sorts, for us. Each and every piece has a memory and a child (teenager, young adult) attached to it. From a blanket made back in 2006 featuring zoo animals to one made with flowers on it last month; each flannel blanket is represented equally. It will take us weeks, if not months, to look at and discover each and every strip incorporated in this stunning work of art...work of "heart". The quilt will be a treasured memento for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Gma Jlo, for having the forethought and, yes, genius idea of saving little scraps of fabric so that someday, today and any day in the future, we can fondly look back and play "I Spy"/"Eye Spy" with each piece of material used to create this masterpiece. 

Here, in all its glory, is the quilt featuring the flannel used in blankets in the 15 years of B4SMA flannel blanket making history.

The Flannel Work of Heart
(with the back of the quilt visible in the upper right corner)

The Work of Heart

I Spy: Behind the Seams of the Eye Spy Blanket

Last Eye Spy Blanket Made

Back in March 2004 (no, I can't believe it has been 15 years either). B4SMA was never supposed to be a blanket organization. Initially, we had planned to join forces with another family to provide larger, more comprehensive care packages to families diagnosed with SMA. After making more than 20 blankets Gma Jlo* were more than ready to begin making with this larger organization. Unfortunately, in the long run, or perhaps it was fortunate, that collaboration fell through. The only problem was is that we had 20 blankets and nowhere to send them. B4SMA, like all the best ideas, was born at 2am by a sewing light, Brenda's** brain, and a post-it note.

One of the very first blankets was a fabric panel called eye spy or, like the popular kids game, I-Spy. It quickly became one of our favorites, as it provided, not only a blanket but also a game. Over the years that eye spy panel has made its appearance several times. No two are alike and it is still a favorite15 years later, the eye spy panel has made it's very last home this past month.

Connor R with the First Eye Spy Blanket

Axel D with the Last Eye Spy Blanket

*Volunteer profiles to come in the future. For now, know that Gma Jlo is 1) our first and most active volunteer and 2) in no way like the notable Jennifer Lopez - our Jlo is about it billion times more generous and her sewing skills are impossibly more beautiful.

**Vice President, co-founder, all around the heart and soul of B4SMA going for the past fifteen years.