24″ x 48″. Materials: Cottons and blends. Techniques: Hand and machine applique, machine quilting.

In My Mother’s Arms by Marlene was featured in the “I Remember Mama” Project by Karey Patterson Bresenhan. The book that documents the project features this description of Marlene’s quilt: “Cradled in my mother’s arms, I was presented for baptism into the family of God. After my parents’ marriage, my father became ill with tuberculosis and went west for eight years of treatment. I was their first born and arrived after nine years of waiting. Later, another daughter and a son were added to complete this loving family of five. This portrait is of Ruth Ludders Brown (1909-1995) and her daughter, Marlene.”

About the “I Remember Mama” Project: Quilts were entered in an international competition and 61 quilts were selected to be seen at the International Quilt Festival in 2005. Marlene’s quilt, In My Mother’s Arms, was awarded an honorable mention prize. Following its premiere in Houston, the “I Remember Mama” quilts toured internationally with venues such as the International Quilt Festival in Chicago in April 2006, Patchwork and Quilt Expo in Lyon, France in June 2006, and several museums, including the New Enland Quilt Museum in 2007.

In My Mother’s Arms is now in the home of Marlene’s daughter, Deb.