"Grief Quilt 01" by Shelby Criswell

48" x 48"

Fabric

Thread, Buttons

Found Objects, Wood

When my Mimi passed in August of 2024, I turned to sewing every night as a way to feel close to her. Grief is neither linear nor perfect, and the quilt I’ve created to honor her reflects that journey. Its imperfections and messiness, are intentional—they embody the chaos and beauty of mourning.

My grandmother's father died when she was a teenager, and she was unable to attend his funeral because she was too pregnant. The text on the quilt comes from the hymn "In the Garden," a song that was played at both of their funerals. Though she never cared for music, this was the one song that held significance for her.

I chose green as the primary color for the quilt as a way of immersing myself in her garden—feeling as though I am surrounded by the plants, the bugs, and the life she left behind, still growing and unfolding in ways that I can now appreciate. This quilt is a tribute to her, and to the love and loss that continue to shape my existence.