Miracle Quilts

Miracle Quilts are quilts which were created by Ozim Laila. The quilts are made from scraps of materials which Oz steals from Coran and the Peli Flock's garbage and recycling bins.   These quilts are called Miracle Quilts because when she applies her powers to these scrap materials and her thread, they are nearly guaranteed to last several lifetimes without suffering damage or fading. While they are a dime a dozen in Haven, they are of immense value to the Kivrian living outside its walls.

Significance

Lainism

Lainism places an immense religious and cultural value on miracle quilts. Most traditional Lainists do not consider a house of worship complete without the presence of at least one of her quilts hanging in a place of honor.   Miracle quilts are the ultimate symbol of their Goddess Oz known euphemistically as the Laila, because these quilts were handmade by her and possess qualities that prove her power. It is a piece of their Goddess that they can touch and, if especially lucky or wealthy, sleep underneath. They also symbolize the Laila's protection and dominion over the planet of Kivria.  
Idelpol Cathedral is the primary dealer of Miracle Quilts to other houses of worship. Beyond their direct connection with the Laila, these quilts give them the political power to decide which places and people are worthy if they are unable to afford a quilt on their own power.   Legitimacy via the ownership of a miracle quilt is a source of tension within the religion, with those deemed unworthy arguing that this requirement is exclusionary and materialistic, and thus against the Laila's own teachings. The opposition argues that since quilts are sacred objects, they should only be entrusted to those who can prove themselves.
Oppositional Religions
Various religions take an adversial approach to dealing with Lainism. To some of these communities which reject Lainism, such as the Mwimic or the Cetwoar religions, these quilts are practically heretical.

Haven

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Haven's Flag by AsterVela
  In Haven, these quilts are found on the beds and memory chests of every resident. Haven's flag, pictured on the left, is based off of one of the first quilts Oz made after settling in to Haven. Esther, her wife, still uses on chilly nights.   While common, they are still highly regarded items. They are significant to most of the citizens of Haven as a symbol of safety. They are also often associated with major events in their lives, like births and weddings, and thus have added sentimental value for the families. Some families' homes are filled with her work from generations past, usually repurposed into pillows, curtains, and other household needs.   These quilts can also be a financial boon for a Havenite, since Oz can occasionally be convinced to make a quilt to sell should one of them make an acceptable case for needing the money. These quilts are not sold directly by the Havenite, but via a collaboration between Oz and Idelpol Cathedral's treasury.   While it is not expressly forbidden to sell a quilt without Oz or the cathedral's approval, it is highly frowned upon. While Oz is unlikely to retaliate directly, the seller often suffers socially upon discovery. Havenites consider selling heirlooms of this kind for personal profit as an insult to their heritage. The act itself is risky in many ways, most of all because most Havenites have no idea just how valuable such quilts are to outsiders.  
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  "How much?" the Chaperone asks, petting the quilt in wonder.   Mason pries his fists from his trouser legs just enough to slide a paper across the table, "Is this acceptable?"   The Chaperone and the pair's two legal witnesses each carefully read Mason's paper.   "You have yourself a deal, sir," the Chaperone agrees, nearly dancing out of her chair. "And may I add, it's been an honor to meet someone from Haven."   "Yeah, um... Yeah, nice to meet you, too?" Mason hesitates. "Just like that?"   "Yes. Just like that, you won't have to worry about a cent during your studies," she reassures. "After some paperwork, of course. Thank you for your donation."   "... But it's not a donation, though?"   "Even so."   Mason knows full well that his paper says nothing about them paying for his living expenses, only his tuition, but he wisely keeps his panicked, giddy disbelief to himself as the contract is drawn up and signed.   Mason later learns the quilt's true value when an elderly busybody informs him of how much money he saved their congregation. That's not including the fact that it's a ceremonial, not commerical, style quilt.

The Laila's Family

Oz's quilts are a symbol of familial affection to her close family and friends. Also, if she's sewing a quilt, that means she's happy... And also distracted from little hands sneaking their way into the snack bin and ruining their dinner.

Greater Idelpol Area

Idelpol residents, regardless of their religious beliefs, regard quilts, and needlework in general, as a symbol of residential pride. While most people don't own a quilt made by the Laila, they often put their own twists on styles inspired originally by these quilts.

General Population

The further one gets away from Haven and religious communities, the importance of miracle quilts drops. While people around the globe appreciate the superior quality of Haven's fiber crafts in general, they don't view quilts as important religious or cultural objects.

Safe Inside by AsterVela

Constructing a Miracle Quilt

The Materials

Be Ozim Laila and acquire:
Needles & Thread
Fabric Scraps from Coran's garbage bin
Batting Fiber
Backing Fabric
Quilt Rack
Extreme Patience

The Process

Every miracle quilt is wholly unique piece of practical art. Oz only plans ceremonial quilts, and she makes other random ones in her spare time.   Even at her level of experience, some quilts can take an entire year from start to finish. Others take as little as half a day. It all depends on the quilt's size, complexity, and her ability to focus.   Oz's power to limit decay is an application typically done entirely on autopilot while she works.

Types of Miracle Quilts

Ceremonial Quilts

Ceremonial quilts are made to celebrate various occasions in the lives of every Havenite. They are made to reflect the personality and life stage of the individual. The celebrations are myriad and, sometimes, Oz will just make one up because she was thinking of someone at the time.--
Example Ceremonial Quilts
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Luminary by AsterVela
The above quilt, simply named Luminary, is an example of a ceremonial quilt. It was created in celebration of the formal naming of her goddaughter, Nanatu. It helped that she knew the new name from before she started quilting, so she could bestow it upon her shortly afterwards.
Storm at Sea by AsterVela
This quilt was a ceremonial quilt gifted to the parents of Allen Verbena to celebrate his birth. It would remain on his bed until his untimely death. Mason, his son, would later sell it to a Lainist congregation in exchange for a free education after Oz refused to do it on his behalf.

Commerical Quilts

Commercial quilts are some of Oz's most familiarly known yet least complicated works. They are designed for distribution either for Lainist purposes or to the general public. She does not tailor the quilt in any which way; what she decides to make or what she has on hand is what they get.


Cover image: Luminary by AsterVela

Comments

Author's Notes

This article took much longer to revamp than expected, which is an experience shared with all optimistic first time quilters.


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Mar 15, 2024 17:20 by Rin Garnett

There's something particularly endearing about a quilt being a symbol of deific power. It's not something pompous like a crown or a scepter, but a nice, cozy quilt! I don't think I saw this before your revamp, but this version was a pleasure to read :)

Mar 15, 2024 17:42

Thank you! <3

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