FRANKEN BLANKEY! – AROUND THE FRAME

Happy Halloween! October 31 brings back fond memories of walking through rustling leaves while trick-or-treating with my siblings around the neighborhood whether on a cool crisp night or a foggy soggy one. Nearby Hillcrest School’s PTA would host an annual Halloween party where kids whether students or not would attend, launch themselves down the haunted (fire escape) tunnel, bob for apples and munch on homemade popcorn balls, a treat no school today would ever dare allow to be served. Fifty years ago Halloween also fell on a Thursday and my youngest brother was born the next day: All Saints Day. Happy 50th birthday William Levihn!

As a mom Halloween became a great time to make a creative costume that didn’t require much sewing for son Robert. Clifford the Big Red Dog, Toy Story’s “Woody” and a pirate all came to life in costumes designed to keep him safe and warm.

Earlier this year I receive an E-mail from fellow Utah Etsy seller Angel who had viewed the Born Again Quilts website and wanted to tell me how much she loved it. Angel writes me how her sister Dina’s silky terrier chewed up her favorite quilt and it fell to her to repair it for her. Angel stitched the war wounds up the best she could using big ugly zig-zag stitches so Dina could now use it as her everyday snuggle quilt. The name “Franken Blankey” was coined by the sisters and adopted by the entire family. It doesn’t matter that the quilt looks hideous, it is still displayed on Dina’s leather sofa and she won’t go on a road trip without it. Such is the power of sentiment. Angel plans to ask Dina to send me a photo so we can all view the stitched up gore, but until then we will revel in other Franken Blankeys.

If a Franken Blankey haunts your home and you wonder whether something could be done to jolt it back to a better life, bring it by Born Again Quilts, 4005 South Wayne Ave. on Saturday October 26 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. or October 29-31, from 5:30-7: p.m. for a complimentary autopsy. You may be amazed at what can be done by an experienced quilt restorer.

Click to advertise on this website

If your quilt is hideous enough, perhaps the Crypt Master I mean the Quilt Master may tell its creepy tale in a future issue.

Until then have a safe and happy Halloween!

Lois Eubank owner of Born Again Quilts studio has written about quilts and textiles for The Waynedale News for over four years. She may be contacted at 260-515-9446.