Legally blind 93-year-old creates beautiful quilts
By Joan Janzen
A vendor at a recent market held in Kindersley had an interesting story to share about the handmade quilts and blankets she had on display. Janelle Krahn’s product display included homemade quilts and blankets made by her 93-year-old grandmother, who is legally blind.
Janelle Krahn frequently visits her Grandmother, Mary Krahn, at her senior residence in Swift Current, where she helps her legally blind grandmother continue to pursue her passion for sewing. Photos by Janelle Krahn, click for larger images
“I started sewing with her about five years ago, and now I help her sew and continue to enjoy her passion,” explained Janelle, who is loving her new hobby. Because her grandmother, Mary Krahn, is still able to detect the difference between two contrasting colours, she is able to continue sewing.
Janelle resides at her farm near Swift Current and visits her grandmother several times a week. “I always spend time with Gramma. She needed help making blankets and didn’t want to do it by herself. Jean material is quite heavy, so I took an interest in sewing with her about five years ago, and I just kept going,” the granddaughter explained.
Previously, Janelle had spent her winters driving a semi in the area, hauling fertilizer and grain with a Super B. Now, she helps her gramma quilt and maintains Mary’s sewing machine.
“The biggest thing is helping her thread the machine,” Mary’s granddaughter said. “I help clean the machine, making sure it’s oiled up and ready to go again.”
When her sewing machine is ready to go, so is Mary. “Yesterday, she made four receiving blankets, and the other day, she made two quilt tops,” Janelle reported. She also makes quilts for the Crisis Centre and other organizations in Swift Current.
“If Gramma’s not quilting, she’s also knitting. She makes six-foot-long scarves for needy people in town. Another lady gave her yarn which she uses to knit for the women’s shelter and Salvation Army,” Janelle said.
The 93-year-old spent her younger years on a dairy and grain farm and enjoyed quilting all her life. Now her granddaughter ensures she can continue indulging in her favourite activity.
Janelle puts together four or five dark and light fabric colours and tells her Gramma what colours match. “She cuts them into strips and makes a pattern. She can tell the colours if the fabric is right up close to her,” she explained.
While Mary keeps busy at her sewing machine, her granddaughter is venturing out to trade shows. “I’m very new to trade shows; I started doing this in the last six months,” Janelle explained. The trade shows enable her to share their quilts with other people.
Most importantly, Janelle enjoys spending time with her Gramma. “These are memories I will cherish because I don’t know how long she’ll be able to do this. It’s a good hobby for both of us,” she said.
Thanks to the love and helping hands of her granddaughter, Mary continues to enjoy both her senior years and her passion for sewing.