My
Blogger's Festival Quilt is the most special quilt I think I have ever made.
And absolutely a favorite.
It was made with the help of so many of you... so thank you. ♥ Here is the story of my Scrappy Sprouts Quilt, and a transcription of the letter that was mailed with it:
To my dear friend:
When I first read
your story, my chest and stomach just clenched. I was sick with anxiety; trying to pray, but angry and scared. You had just come through so much; how could this be added to it? I really was angry. I especially prayed for you while I was in the shower... I wanted to do something to help. I couldn't really send you money, at least not much. I couldn't come visit. I knew though I could make you a quilt.
One day, while I was praying for you in the shower, this idea came to mind.
This quilt is my, "God... when I think of Chelsa and what she faced and is facing, I don't know what to say." This quilt is my prayer for you Chelsa... it says what I can't always.
These little sprouts are my favorite time in a garden -- they're so cute and new and growing... so much potential in those two little leaves.
They show my prayer for new life.
I did not like the helplessness I felt when I thought about those icky words like "incurable." So I gathered women to my cause, and they joined in sending love and wishes for healing, and in literally covering you. I got blocks from women in three or four different countries. They put tiny bits of precious little fabrics in these blocks -- pieces that are hard to find and out of print and hoarded like gold by quilters. They join my prayer.
I wanted to make sure the quilt was big enough you could share it with your love. We don't forget about you on this difficult road Matt.
And it's a rainbow -- the symbol of God's promise. And again -- my prayer for you. ♥
_______________________________
Specs for my quilty friends:
- Fits well in the Group or ROYGBIV categories for Bloggers' Quilt Festival
- a mini tutorial for folks who might want to make their own block is here.
- The sashing is the yarn-dyed Essex in flax by Robert Kaufman.
The setting was part by design, and part by necessity. There were a few variations in the idea of a "scant" quarter-inch (happens when gathering blocks from 40 or so different people), but I think it made for a more dynamic quilt than if the rows had all been straight. I love the off-set. I was also quite pleased with a mostly even distribution of color, because I simply told people to make their favorite.
The quilting was done by
Lindsay at
EileenQuilts.com. The design is called Xanadu, and looks so organic and swirly. I love it.
The backing is the Summer Totem from Anna Maria Horner (and I think Steiger likes the back more than the front; he kept telling me, "the back is really nice Mommy.")
For binding, I chose an Alexander Henry stripe cut on the bias.
And of course, a special label.
A huge thank you to those who made and sent blocks. They are so special, and the quilt was all I was hoping it would be.
