A Labor of Love: The Blackhorse Quilt

Sometimes a project comes along that becomes more than just a piece of art. This quilt was one of those projects, and I want to share it's story..

In late November 2024, I made the decision to move in with a friend that lived in Fort Irwin, CA. Come December 5th, I was on the road making the long trek from Reno, NV. I arrived just after midnight on December 6th, ready to take on this new chapter in my life. Later that morning, as I waited to get my visitors pass from the visitor's center, I looked at the mountains surrounding me and noticed something striking - a giant red and white shield with a black horse emblazoned on it. I remember thinking, "oh, that's cool". Little did I know how much that symbol would come to mean to me. 

That same day, in an effort to make friends in a new place, I decided to jump on a few dating apps (because, of course, using a dating app on a military base is a great idea). I found myself swiping right and matching with someone who would become so much more than just a friend. He became my best friend, and ultimately, the man I fell head over heels for. 

As I got to know this man, I saw so much joy and passion in the way he spoke about his career in the Army and being stationed at NTC. He wasn't just going through the motions - he truly believes in what he does. One night, while hanging out, I made a lighthearted joke about the punny squadron names within Blackhorse. Instead of the playful reaction I expected, I was met with a look of disappointment. The look on his face stuck with me, and I realized the weight my words carried. The Army wasn't just a job to him, his eyes light up and he has so much pride in his voice when he speaks about his career. It's not something I could just poke fun at. In that moment, I knew I had to do something to show him I understood his passion and I admired him for it. 

With Valentine's Day approaching, inspiration struck! I started sketching, determined to find a way to incorporate that insignia - the one I had casually admired - into a quilt. After countless hours, a few trips to the store for caffeine and colored pencils, and more trial and error than I care to admit, the Blackhorse Quilt pattern was born. 

Cutting thousands of tiny fabric squares and sewing them together became a true labor of love. It took about 4 weeks, totaling nearly 90 hours of meticulous work. And just when I thought I was finished, life threw me a little challenge - because, of course, it did. As I neared the bottom of the quilt, I ran out of white fabric. Panic set in. Then I had a thought - the store on base sells bedding, they had to have white pillow cases. Sure enough, they did! I was able to add the last row of white onto the quilt!

During the time I was working on the quilt, my boyfriend and I took a trip to The Getty in Los Angeles, where I got to see Irises by my favorite artist, Van Gogh. While I was admiring the painting, he pointed out a sign near by that stated Van Gogh had placed pollen cones from the garden he was painting into the artwork itself. When I realized the quilt needed a final detail to tie it back to Fort Irwin, I saw my own version of Van Gogh's pollen cones in the white fabric I had just purchased from the store on base. That small unexpected detail became my quiet nod to Fort Irwin - the home of Blackhorse, the place that brought us together, a reminder that no where the military takes us, a piece of Fort Irwin will always be with us.

To complete the quilt, I embroidered the Army logo onto the back - my final tribute to the strength, commitment, and heart my boyfriend puts into everything he does.

When I gave him the quilt, it wasn't just about warmth or comfort. It was about showing him, in the language of fabric and stitches, how much I admire him. It was my way of giving something back, something made with as much love as he gives me every day. 

Fort Irwin will always be where our story began, and this quilt will always be a symbol of that story.