Grounded: A Greek Key Quilt

Grounded: A Greek Key Quilt

Last year I had the coolest experience.

I was able to run the Athens Marathon with my daughter and brother.

As we planned for this epic adventure…what sights we’d see and the places we’d stay….I started planning my quilt!

For Greece I decided to go with a classic Greek Key design. It would have a simple blue and white color pallet and be showcased through a traditional border motif that can been seen throughout Greecian artwork and architecture.

The Greek Key Pattern is also know as the Meander, short for the Meander River, that runs through modern-day Turkey.

This pattern with its unbroken, never ending line often represents eternity with its endless flow of life.

However, this same pattern, with it’s interlocking corners is also said to symbolize unity and the eternal bonds of love, friendship, family devotion, and community harmony.

A few years back I took my son on a journey where we made a stop in London. There, among other things, we visited the National Museum. As we walked through the Greek Antiquities section I snapped a photo of the Greek Key tile work there on the floor.

I hoped that one day I would get the chance to travel to Greece and experience the beauty, history, and culture that I would find there.

While the front of the quilt was sewn up in cobalt and snow the back of the quilt was made from one solid piece of tangerine.

The front was an obvious nod to the Grecian flag but the back represented the absolute joy and excitement I felt in being able to travel to that beautiful country.

I slept under that quilt the night before our marathon and it came with us to Santorini where we spent a few magical days taking turns being wrapped up in its warm on a patio located on the most breathtaking slice of earth I have ever visited.

I love this quilt.

Every time I look at it, it reminds me of that adventure…of the race…of gazing at the stars…of watching Mama Mia late into the night…of watching the sun rise over the sea…of eating Gemista every single night…of a million different memories that fill my heart with gratitude.

I have always felt that quilts were filled with power.

Powers such as love, patience, tradition, heritage, marked milestones, craftsmanship, legacy, and of course memories.

Quilting for travel has allowed me build on those powers to include snippets of time forever captured in worked fabric along side the anticipation and fulfillment of dreams.

Creating quilts to take on adventures won’t ever become the next fad. But, for me, it has become a must.

Happy Quilting!

-liZ

*This quilt is part of our “Grounded” series that you can check out HERE.