I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message.
In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Louise Silk, a celebrated quiltmaker and fiber artist, to explore how quilting serves as a tool for life review, memory, grief, and legacy. Louise shares how she began her quilting journey after reading an article in Ms. Magazine, how she has used quilting to process personal loss, and why the Witness Quilt—a collection of over 1,000 embroidered wisdoms—was dismantled and given away.
Together, they discuss:
- How quilting serves as a metaphor for life review
- The role of storytelling and memory in fabric art
- The Witness Quilt: its evolution, meaning, and dismantling
- Ritual, impermanence, and the lessons quilting teaches about grief and letting go
- Passing wisdom and legacy through art
This episode is a beautiful reminder that reflection isn’t just about looking back—it’s about honoring our stories, embracing change, and finding meaning in creative expression.
Links & Resources:
- Guest: Louise Silk - https://www.silkquilt.com; https://bubbewisdom.com; https://www.instagram.com/silkquilt/
- Host: Traci Arieli’s Website - https://www.comfortingclosure.com
- The Witness Quilt Exhibit - https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/whats-on/history-center/exhibits/louise-silk-a-patchwork-life/
- Louise’s Books: https://bubbewisdom.com/2025/03/08/in-my-own-words/
- Louise's ETSY shops- https://www.etsy.com/shop/SilkDenim; https://www.etsy.com/shop/Silkquilt
If this conversation resonated with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe to support more open discussions on life, loss, and legacy.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Intentionally Disturbing
Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.