A good soul

Finding a good home for Sally's quilting fabrics, supplies and sewing machines proved to be more of a challenge that her clothes.  And she was a clothes horse!  How many singlets can one person own?  Apparently a lot!  I had multiple false starts but after lots of tears, I found homes with two good souls.

First to go was her Pfaff quilting machine.  A high-end unit that she was so proud of when she finally bought it.  I didn't ask the price...I'd learned not to!  She did her usual due diligence and searched far and wide to get the best value.  In the end she chose a slightly used machine.  And with that, she created the masterpieces for family and friend.  I have two and cherish them dearly.  On cold, snowy wintry days with the fireplace on, I wrap up in the bigger one and it is so very peaceful!  

I got Facebook message from a young quilter who was looking to upgrade.  We exchanged a couple of messages, agreed on the price and day and time for pickup.  As she pulled up to the front of our apartment building and stepped out with her husband, I knew instantly that the Pfaff had found a good home.  

She told me her quilting story and I shared Sally's. All three of us were emotional...there was so much in common.  A good soul.   

The fabrics, equipment, supplies, books, another Pfaff sewing machine were next up.  I listed them on Facebook Marketplace and had a number of low-ball offers.  None felt right.  I came close with one quilter even agreeing to the sale but at the last minute I just couldn't pull the trigger.  I apologized and took the post down.

A week went by before I summoned the courage to try again.  This time I took out all the boxes of fabrics and supplies.  I laid them all out on the desk and floor of Sally's sewing room.  I was overwhelmed.  At the volume and quality.  Sally had amassed quite a collection.  I needed to find someone who would respect the collection and breathe new life into the fabrics.

That's the beauty of quilting.  It's a labour of love and once complete they take on a life of their own. I hoped I could find such a person.

Back on Facebook Marketplace I went this time with a lot of pictures and a video showing the entire collection.  I didn't expect a lot of interest and that proved correct.  But it didn't take long for a serious quilter to come forward.

Late on a Friday afternoon she reached out and after a few messages she seemed serious.  She lived 3 hours north of Toronto and I volunteered to meet her halfway, in Orillia, to complete the transaction.  She thanked me for that and something whispered that this was another good soul.  Her response to my answer of why I was selling all this 'stuff' was the clue...she took a moment to respond and it was gentle and understanding.

As I drove into the parking lot of the plaza just off Highway 11 in Orillia, I spotted her and her husband right away.  We chatted about quilting as me moved all the boxes out of the Volvo...it was packed to the hilt!

Then once done, the three of us standing in the parking lot, she dropped it:  Both she and her husband had lost their spouses.  Truly speechless and with tears streaming down my face, they shared their stories.  I shared mine.  What a release...relief actually...I don't get to speak about Sally with people who have been through the experience often.  

She runs a quilting retreat in cottage country and will use the fabrics for future quilting fabrics.  She is sending the sewing machine and fabrics and supplies she doesn't use up to a an organization for Native Women (sewers and quilters) in the Thunder Bay area. I asked her to send me photos of any quilts that are made with the fabrics. I look forward to seeing the results.  

People talk about a person's soul and how it lives on.  From one good soul to two others, Sally would be pleased.

Until next time...