The first charity quilt was sold to Wendy Murquardt, big fan of Denyse’s and a supporter of Heifer International. All proceeds went toward purchasing animals for needy families around the world through Heifer International. Click here to see what animals we bought.
Here’s a detail of the front. Isn’t the quilting beautiful?! Thanks Gina!
This is the back.
The quilt is 80 inches by 87 inches (perfect for a full size bed, will also fit a queen). It’s pieced of Kona cotton solids and various cotton prints, cotton batting, and beautifully machine quilted by Gina of Quilter’s Buzz and The Threaded Pear Studio.
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After attending a workshop with Denyse Schmidt in January (organized by Diana at Make Workshop), I thought it would be fun to amass the creative genius of all the former Denyse-quilt-workshoppers and make a quilt or two for those in need, but we are all spread far and wide. So, I are hosted this in cyber space and invited all quilty crafters everywhere to join in the fun!
There has been a great response– look over on the right side bar to see who participated.
It’s been a year in the making:
48 women from all over North America signed up to participate. We each pieced 10 blocks– contributing one to a collaborative quilt to be auctioned and the proceeds donated to charity. The finished quilt is beautifully machine quilted (by Gina of Quilter’s Buzz and Threaded Pear Studio) and oozes the creative energy of everyone who participated. Every single penny earned by selling this quilt will go toward buying animals for needy families through Heifer International. I love the thought of providing a milk or wool bearing animal for a family who in turn can provide better nutrition for their children, send them to school, and even use their new animal to give to others. Heifer International truly teaches people to fish, rather than just giving the fish to them.
How to participate:
***UPDATE***
I’VE GOT 50 PEOPLE, SO SIGN UP IS CLOSED. STAYED TUNED, THOUGH, TO SEE WHAT WE CREATE!!
Block details:
- Each finished block MUST be 10 1/2 inches x 10 1/2 inches.
- Please include at least 1 or 2 of these Kona Cotton solids in each block so that everyone’s set will have some continuity:
- Show off your stuff by including your favorite prints or colors from your own stash. Surprise and delight us!
- Block design is totally up to you. It can be funky and free form, or straight and traditional. All I ask is that you keep it graphic and abstract (i.e. no appliqués of animals or smiley faces) so that each block set will work together as a whole. And don’t add crazy embellishments or anything that couldn’t be made into a quilt that could go through the washer and dryer.
Getting the blocks to me:
- Blocks must be postmarked by April 7th. That gives you a month to get them made.
- When you’re ready to put your blocks in the mail, press them and make sure they are all EXACTLY 10.5”x10.5” square.
- Then, write your name, e-mail address, and url on little pieces of paper (like 1”x2”) and staple one to a corner of each block.
- Address a 9×12” envelope to the address you receive in your confirmation e-mail, roll up your quilt blocks, and stick them inside.
- ALSO include a self addressed 9×12” envelope with the same amount of postage as your outgoing package will require (make sure you use real STAMPS for this).
- And, if you’re the generous type, feel free to include a little money to help defray the cost of batting and backing fabric for the charity quilt(s) :). (If everyone pitches in a couple of dollars those of us piecing and finishing the charity quilts will send blessings down upon your heads.)
Internet stuff:
- You’ll be wanting a button to post on your site, right? Well, here it is. Put it up, link here, and spread the word .
- I will make a list of participants with links to their sites on the side bar, so if you don’t want to be there, make sure you let me know.
- Blog about your blocks and send me a photo of your favorite for a flickr gallery.
- When you get your block set back and do whatever it is you’re going to do with it, make sure to send me a photo so we can add that to the gallery too.
Now, what can you do with nine 10.5 inch squares?
Well, by adding some borders and sashing (space between blocks) you can make just about any size quilt you want. STAY TUNED to this site because I’ll be posting design ideas for crib/throw size, twin size, and full size quilts using the blocks made for this swap.
Quilting resources, and links:
- My personal favorite quilter is Denyse Schmidt,
- so you need this book, of course. (click here for pattern modifications so that blocks end up 10.5×10.5)
- Or maybe even this.
- Hip to Piece Squares is hosting a Denyse Schmidt Quilt-along, creating a community of people making projects from Denyse’s book.
- dioramarama is hosting the Modern quilt Along, with projects made from this book by the people at Fun Quilts
- Quilter’s Buzz
- Threads magazine has some helpful articles.
- Patchwork Planet
- Quilters Cache
- Now, don’t forget your local library. There are hundreds of books to get you acquainted with quilting basics.
- If you have suggestions of resources I’ve missed, e-mail me at jessica(at)seedpodbooksandart(dot)com.
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