Sometimes the universe directs you, it gives you subtle signs that tell you what you’re meant to do. That’s exactly what happened for one woman when she walked into an estate sale and saw the most beautiful, unfinished, quilting project she’d ever seen. Turns out the project was started by a 99-year-old lady who didn’t have time to finish before she passed on. When the woman enlisted the help of her Instagram friends, she never expected 1,000 strangers would rally together and help her finish the quilt!
This 99-year-old passes away before finishing this beautiful quilt project, so 1,000 strangers rally to finish it!
99-year-old, Rita Smith, was a name that Shannon Downey had never heard before, little did she know, Rita would inspire her and many of others! Unfortunately, Rita is no longer with us, but that didn’t stop her from touching thousands of strangers’ hearts.
Shannon is an antique fanatic, she’s an embroider by profession who frequents estate sales looking for unique items. After 99-year-old Rita passed away, Shannon went to an estate sale at Rita’s home in Mount Prospect, Illinois. There she found something, unlike anything she’s ever seen before.
There it was, hanging on the wall, an unfinished quilt, the flowers of those states. The embroidery was brilliant, Shannon had to have it!
When Shannon saw it she was speechless, all the flowers from the 50 states embroidered to perfection, the beautiful flowers of the states enlarged and in detail. In the middle was a map of the United States, a square surrounding with a different flower in each box.
She quickly bought it before anyone else had the chance, what she saw next had her fighting back tears. Rita hadn’t had time to finish the project and Shannon knew she had to do something about it.
Shannon found a box with more than 100 prepped pieces of fabric, it was the 48 states Rita didn’t have time to finish.
After buying every last piece from Rita’s project, Shannon realized she had one little problem she was an embroider but had no idea how to quilt, so she took to social media and reached out to her friends on Instagram.
Shannon couldn’t believe the outpour of people that reached out to help. People reached out from all over the country, before long, Shannon had 1,000 strangers ready and willing to help.
Soon people were posting their progress on Instagram using the hashtag #RitasQuilt.
Shannon began collecting addresses and sending the pieces out to the volunteers to get them embroidered. They have until November 15th to send them back, once Shannon receives them they’ll be head to Chicago to a team of 30 stitchers to complete the quilting process.
After that, the quilt will be donated to a museum and put on display for everyone to enjoy. This quilt is a testament to the power of community, the fact that all these strangers are coming together to complete Rita’s vision is so inspiring!
99-year-old passes away before finishing massive quilting projects, 1000 strangers rally to finish.
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