A blanket made with love

Many of us have a cherished baby blanket created with love from a relative, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a handmade blanket filled with more affection than the pink flowery blanket which will belong to Amelia-Jean Gelling.

It may not be obvious at first glance, but the blanket was intricately handstitched years ago by her late grandmother, Jean, who died 17 years ago. An unfinished project, the blanket remained in storage with many other of Jean’s work before it was discovered by Jean’s son, Richard, and his uncle.

However, following an online appeal, the blanket has now been completed by a local business – and is ready to welcome baby Amelia-Jean.

Looking at the pink flowery blanket, Kirsty Wilkinson and Richard Gelling, who share a son, Dylan, nine, knew it would be perfect for their new arrival – but it was unfinished.

Kirsty, who works at Northern Employment, is due to give birth to Amelia-Jean any day now, and shared the heart-warming story behind her daughter's blanket with Rochdale Online.

A sewing machinist by day, Jean’s true passion was patchwork, creating quilts, cushions and blankets – some so intricate they took years to complete.

After finding the blanket, Richard posted an appeal online for someone skilled in handstitching to finish the blanket, before Siouxsie Hampson, proprietor of Thimbles in Littleborough came forward.

Kirsty said: “Siouxsie told us because of the story behind the blanket, she’d love to be a part of it.”

 

 

Siouxsie painstakingly handstitched each part to completion over the national lockdown in November, before refusing payment, even though Thimbles had been shut over the four-week period.

“We knew it had taken a lot of her time and she’d had to shut, like other non-essential shops. We still wanted to pay her but Siouxsie wouldn’t let us,” Kirsty added. “We picked it up and we were so over the moon with the fabulous job Siouxsie had done. I could see how emotional Richard was getting at seeing the blanket finished.”

“We wanted Richard’s mum to be a part of Amelia’s life, which is where the blanket and her name, Amelia-Jean came in.”

The couple even plan to frame the offcuts Siouxsie kept from the blanket.

Richard said: “We can’t thank Siouxsie enough. Mum would have appreciated her skill and we’re certain she’ll be looking down with a smile on her face.

“A quilt started by Jean Gelling will now be treasured by Amelia-Jean Gelling.”