In July and August, I found I might become homeless.  This was a shocking, unexpected experience that was initiated by a decision by my landlord, and made worse by the limited availability of apartments in my area.  In the months since then, I have gone through several changes regarding the Quilts For Veterans.

I found I might actually end up in a homeless shelter, which was a terrifying way to learn how many of our Veterans have to survive.  The local homeless shelter told me that I would only be allowed to bring in a medium-sized bag, and planning for that brought about my Hankie Quilts (c) and my Tarp Totes (c), both items designed for my ability to quilt while "on the road", and the Tarp Tote (c) reflecting a medium-sized bag.  Videos regarding the Tarp Tote (c) can be seen at this Playlist .

Because I was facing putting all my belongings in storage, I had to make some very difficult decisions about my sewing machines.  I had to sell two of my father's machines, and one of my brothers took another of my father's machines.  That knocked the wind out of my sails a bit.  Just after selling them, I found out through my lawyer that I would be able to stay here after all through the remainder of my lease.  However, I do still have to find a smaller apartment, and some of my remaining sewing machines may also need to go in storage.  What was a common thread through all of this was trying to make a quality quilt for a Veteran no matter what my circumstances are.

I have donated two traditional-looking quilts to Veterans and am finishing the hand-quilting on a third, I have completed one Tarp Tote (c), and just have to stitch the shawl-lap quilt for the second Tarp Tote (c).  They became shawls or lap quilts and will be given to Veterans through my local Senior Center.

I have continued to get my belongings ready to be stored, and have deliberated a great deal over where my sewing machines will be.  I am "Living In One Room", paring down to bare necessities in the expectation of moving to a studio apartment.  I have several of my machines, 17 in total, but have a 1959 Singer Spartan handcrank and a 1937 Singer model 15-88 treadle set up for use.  I will be making my newly designed "Hello" quilts for Veterans.  The video for the "Hello" quilt can be seen here .

While facing homelessness, and knowing I would only have a medium-sized bag, I realized many homeless people, homeless Veterans, have little interaction with family.  The "Hello" quilt was at first going to be called "Never Alone", based on a painting I did several years ago of two trees, showing how each of us is never alone. "Hello" suits it better because we cannot replace a Veterans family, but we can say hello, we can try to help.

Because of this experience, my Quilts For Veterans will now be wholly focused on homeless Veterans.  As such, they won't be as traditional looking, will be what is called "rag quilts".  I had been told that homeless Vets would ruin my quilts because of the rough life they lead.  A rag-style quilt will be more suited to that rough life. It also is more suited to my limited space, as I can sew each square by hand or by small machine.  My father was never homeless, but in today's society, any one of us could face homelessness.  I believe my father, who served in the Korean War, would be proud to have me helping out homeless Vets with a quilt, not only to say thank you for their Service, but to not leave out the homeless Veterans simply because they lead a rough life.  The experience of almost being homeless affected me to such a point that I will never be the same.  At any minute, a landlord can make a decision that can put one on the street.  The empathy and fear I now feel both for myself and for the homeless will never leave me.