When Florence Meyer taught herself to quilt nearly 80 years ago, she could not have imagined that four generations of family members would enjoy and treasure the products of her handiwork.
Florence is 95 years old and still lives on her own in the farm house that she and her husband, Theophil, built in 1954. Florence tends to her yard and garden, and her energy, independence, and service to others are inspirational for her family.
Florence was born in a farmhouse near the small town of Watkins, Iowa. Her parents had been raised in the German community called the Amana Colonies in Iowa, and she grew up speaking German at home. Florence recalls that as a teenager, her grandmother gave her some fabric, and she taught herself to quilt by watching others.
Eight decades later, Florence still uses the wooden quilting frame that belonged to her grandmother. She uses pre-measured cardboard squares and triangles as guides when cutting the fabric. Florence usually makes what is called a four-square design; she lays out a design based on the colors of the fabric she has available. Once she has decided on a pattern and color scheme, Florence sews the 4x4 inch fabric squares together on a sewing machine she bought in the late 1950’s. Florence says that she is able to spend more time quilting during the winter months, when the bitter Iowa winters limit the amount of outdoor work. She says that if she’s able to work at a quilt steadily, it only takes her two to three days to complete the quilt.
Florence’s hand-made quilts are prized as gifts among her family. She makes baby quilts when a new member of the family arrives. She has also made quilts as graduation, wedding and house-warming presents, and her family members often make special requests for one of her quilts.
But the blessing of Florence’s Christian love and sense of service extend miles and miles beyond her family. Florence has made hundreds of quilts and donated them to Lutheran World Relief and other organizations over the years. From 2008 to 2011, Florence made and donated more than 120 quilts to Lutheran Word Relief.
Florence’s generosity with her time and talents are a heartwarming example of God’s love in action.
