I really haven’t picked up a needle and thread in such a long time. My life got kind of busy near the end of December as I was trying to balance all my jobs and freelancing and Christmas and the like. Even now, my blog keeps me really busy when I’m not working.

But quilting is really important to me—it soothes my soul, it helps me feel creative and connected. It’s something where I don’t normally worry about getting paid or anything. Plus, these preemie quilts are a way of giving to others. Not only is loving others the right thing to do, it’s emotionally and spiritually beneficial for us most of the time.

At my job, I see a lot of preemies. I talk to their parents. I interact with the nurses who care for them day in and day out. I hold their little hands while I’m testing them or I pick them up and soothe them if they’re crying. Even if they’re not crying, I lift their tiny bodies when I turn them over to test the other ear.

Preemies are little miracles. It astounds me that your average 40 week 7.5 lb baby is so small and yet so complete—with fingers, toes, eyes, everything. Some are even alert enough to pull the probe out of their ears. But preemies—even smaller, born at maybe 28 weeks and 2-4 lbs are still so often so perfect. I don’t interact with the littlest ones, since we don’t test until they’re about ready to go home. But I stand there in awe by their isolets and watch them sleep or observe the world.

All that to say that the square above is from a preemie quilt I’m working on. It’ll have four such squares and some nice sashing. Probably about 22″ x 22″ when finished. It’s not yet pressed, so it won’t lie flat.