Patch suggested by Hannah and designed and sewn by her friend Laura Eubanks; writing by Laura and Hannah

Dear Hannah,

So I’m looking back at my finished patch and it makes me smile. I chose this topic because it encompasses so many things that are important in my life. Here are four children, who have survived such turmoil and hardship and have begun to work through it in such a beautifully symbolic way. Play therapists worked with these children in Argentina, gave them all sorts of random material to work with (hence the newspaper and duct tape) and spontaneously they all made costumes of a marginalized group – a monk, an alien, a transvestite, an insane person.[1] I feel that through this expression in a tangible and playful way, the children are beginning to heal. I hope to work with children through play, and this patch/story represents what can truly be accomplished when children are given an opportunity for creative expression. One day, maybe I’ll have such an inspiring story to tell about other children.

With Love,

       Laura Eubanks

Dear Laura,

Thanks so much for writing (and for sewing, of course)! You touched on play therapy as a method of healing for these children, and another reason I really love this story is that it represents societal healing – the continuation of life through children. I love the playfulness of your patch and all the great materials you used. One incredible coincidence is the piece of newspaper you have on the crazy person – I had given you a piece of a Nicaraguan newspaper that Doña Carmen (a woman who made me another patch) sent me, and the piece you chose to use actually has the name ‘Carmen’ on it.

I feel like this letter is just as chaotic as the situation that the patch is about … but then order comes from chaos, or at least healing begins and the future has hope.

If you have any other thoughts about the patch, the story, or the process of sewing with friends and sharing ideas and materials, feel free to fill the rest of this page.

                        Thanks so much!

                                                ♥ Hannah

Dear Hannah,

You’re so right about the patch also representing society being healed through the children – so much great stuff in this story! I just want to thank you for the opportunity to be involved in this process. The quilt as a whole has come to mean a lot to me because of all the fun, serious conversations and sharing of ideas that happened during the sewing parties while I worked on my patch. I guess that’s what happens when you get a group of fabulous women together, throw in some Sweet Honey in the Rock and start sewing! Thanks and congratulations on an amazing undertaking. I know others will find great meaning in it as well.                    

With Love,

       Laura