In Part 1, I discovered a Peace Portal at a museum and recreated it in my classroom. Peace became a big deal and very real to children. When I saw quilts that were murals, I knew I had to make a Peace Quilt with children. The only problem was finding a quilter. At last I met Milly. It was an unexpected meeting.
Part 2
“Milly is the best quilter, not just in town but everywhere.” said the director of the Senior Center.
“Great! When can I stop by and meet her?”
“She’ll be here on Wednesday with her quilting group.”
Wednesday couldn’t come fast enough for me. As soon as school was over, I was there. I walked over to Milly and introduced myself. She smiled (sort of) and I bounced around, telling her all about the Haitian quilts I had seen at the Bennington Museum. I was so excited! I showed her photos of the quilts, spewing story after story of each one and their art. I noticed that the other quilters were looking down at their work, sewing like mad, as if making eye contact with me would bring a plague upon the group.
The more I talked, the faster they sewed, and the lower their heads dropped. All six of them. Hmm… Milly hadn’t said a word. Not One Word. It occurred to me that perhaps I was behaving like a child who had been let loose in an amusement park. But, this was such a terrific idea. And those quilts were stunning. Each one told a story. Here are but a few:
I finally stopped, not sure what else to say. Clearly I had overwhelmed if not alienated Milly and her fellow quilters. I put the brakes on and told Milly all about the Peace Portal, and how making a Peace Quilt would be the culmination of all we had done in the classroom. I held my breath. I asked, “So what do you think?”
Milly quietly put down her sewing. I’ll never forget what she said to me, her very first words:
“I am a traditional quilter. I quilt blocks, squares. I have never seen or done any quilting like that. This would be completely new and different – a challenge – and I’d like that challenge. Yes, I will do this.”
And so, a Peace Quilt was about to be created. First, the children had to design the quilt. What does Peace look like? How does Peace make you feel? How was I going to link that concept of Peace to a quilt? How would I start? What would I say to children? After all, the Peace Portal was last year, and many of the children were new. And then it came to me. I knew right away.
Of course… Gloria!
Yes! Gloria has a blanket. We always called it her blankie. What if she wanted to call it her quilt, her Peace Quilt, because it makes her feel so good…peaceful. Brilliant, Gloria.
Milly came to meet the children, meet Gloria, and hear all about her idea. I have never seen a friendship develop so quickly. Milly and Gloria hit it off right from the start. We gathered for a group meeting. The conversation went something like this:
Gloria (she’s a little frustrated): “Everybody calls this my blankie, but it’s not. I love this. But, it’s a Peace Quilt, not a blankie.”
Long pause. Then Gloria continued.
“It makes me feel good. I love snuggling with my Peace Quilt. Look at all the pictures. See, there’s a puppy, and lambs. Look at the pink. I like pink. And the best part is the back with all the stars. When I go to sleep at night, I have my stars right with me. This is my Peace Quilt.”
Wow! You could have heard a pin drop. Gloria asked, “What do you like on my Peace Quilt?” Fifteen children descended on her, each one wanting to look. After all, they were now really looking at the quilt as if they had never seen it before. It was amazing what they saw. And yes, the stars were the most popular. Gloria then turned to Milly and said “Hi.” They stared at each other. Just stared. Then Gloria spontaneously gave Milly a snuggle in her neck. Milly grinned from ear to ear. “What do you think, Milly? What do you like?” They had a long and lively discussion. Children watched. Gloria said, “We could make our own Peace Quilt! What do you think?” “Yes we can, Gloria.” said Milly.
Over the next week we pooled together all of our ideas. Children had terrific ideas of Peace! They understood. Gloria had helped them to do that.
Little baby peeping chicks
Kittens
Stars (many votes)
My heart
Cows
Flowers
Ocean of blue and green
The color yellow
Autumn Tree
Puppies
Horse
White Triangles
Rainbow
Duckies
Big Star
Dogs
Truck that goes vroom
Hearts
We rolled up our sleeves, rolled out the big paper to sketch our ideas, opened our hearts, and got to work! A classroom parent and artist came in put all the ideas of Peace onto paper. Not an easy task when the children are in charge.
Little did I know how the sketch would look, much less the quilt. And then, what would happen with the quilt? How would Milly do this with the children? More importantly, would she connect with children? Stay tuned for Part 3.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wow fantastic and a wonderful post Jennie. So inspiring and motivating. The quilts were awesome 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Milly and Gloria are both legends, as far as I am concerned.
Best wishes, Pete.
That’s so nice, Pete. Thank you! When I write that book on my teaching adventures, they both will be at the top of the list.
A lovely post about Millie the quilter. Thank you, Jennie, for sharing this reminder about Millie and the peace quilts.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Robbie. More to come!
Loving this series!
I’m so glad!
Beautiful quilts.
They are! Now you see why I was thunderstruck.
I do!
🙂
Oh Jennie this is so inspiring 💜💜💜💜
i love how you connected people, big and small, and the project
Thanks, Beth!
This is such a beautiful moment unfolding.
I love how it moves from excitement and “big idea energy” to something so simple and real through Gloria’s voice. That shift, where a “blankie,”becomes a “Peace Quilt,”feels like the heart of everything changing right there.
And Milly’s quiet “Yes” after all that hesitation is powerful in its simplicity.
I am really looking forward to Part 3.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Your words were a perfect depiction, especially Milly’s quiet “yes”. Part 3 will be on Monday. I’m posting this series on Mondays and Thursdays.
Excellent.
Thanks so much, John.
😀
I love Gloria’s role in engaging the children about making a Peace Quilt. We can always count on Gloria!
Yes we can! She does a great job. Thanks, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
Gloria is the best. Her stories always give me goosebumps! They’re so good! Looking forward to Part 3!
She really is! That’s so nice to know her stories give you goosebumps. I’ll be posting the series on Mondays and Thursdays, so Part 3 will be on Monday.
Cool! 😊 Thank you for letting me know the schedule.
🙂
Milli and Gloria are both wonderful people, especially in the lives of those children.
Beautifully said, and so true!. Thank you, Dan.
Think if you never would have taken a chance on Milly. As always, you remember to make the children the central part of any lesson. And good on Milly for expanding her horizons and trying something new—a good lesson for children and adults.
I have often thought about that. I’ve had one quilter since Milly, but she didn’t have the same magic. Yes, way to go Milly for trying something new.
Such a wonderful encounter with Milly and with Gloria. I love that Milly was game to try something different. And the children benefitted from it all.
She was, and the children definitely benefited.
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amazing and wonderful!
Thank you, Resa. Part 3 tomorrow.
Wow, what an amazing project! You’re talents are boundless Jennie. And it seems even your husband knows when you’re brewing up a new idea. 😁🥰
That’s so nice, Debby. Thank you! Yes, hubby does. 🥰
Jennie, I giggled about you sharing with all of the quilters. Seriously! I get it! When I get excited about ideas I’ve experienced just what you did. “No one make eye contact with her!” LOL!
But…Milly. Precious Milly. Willing to be challenged. Stretched.
THEN…
Gloria. Of COURSE, GLORIA!!! Peace blankie—quilt. Milly and Gloria hitting it off!
And THIS is how love and ideas come together!! YAY FOR MILLY, GLORIA, and YOU. And how about those precious kids in the photo and artist mom? Awwwwwww. This is all spectacular!!!!
You should have been a fly on the wall as I was like an out of control kid. 😀 And yes… Gloria pulled it all together!!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this, Karla! 💕
My blessing! Yes, I would’ve loved being a fly on the wall–lol! I get it! 😂
😀😍
I can feel your exuberance from here. I’ve been there too and remember getting that same reaction from others. They are afraid to get caught up in the energy of it. Making a free form quilt would scare me as well. I have no problem going outside the lines a little but am more comfortable with lines. I can sense Milly coming to terms with that as she hears Gloria and sees the faces of those children. How could she not do it?
You’re exactly right, they’re afraid to get caught up in the exuberance. Milly was up for the challenge, and the children and Gloria helped, big time. 😀