What's It's All About

This quilt will be to honor our wonderful hostess on the QuiltingPassion forum. Sregora (Terry) has worked very hard to bring a wonderful place to the net for which we can gather, chat, have fun, and, sometimes, even talk about quilting. ;-)

I wanted to come up with an idea to thank Terry on my own. She has turned into not only a good online friend to me, but a mentor in my current online endeavors. I know that there are also a great many others who feel the same. So, I thought, what better idea than a nice signature quilt with which she can cuddle on those cold dreary days and remember how much we all appreciate her. I knew it wouldn't be possible to do this before Christmas, so I thought, hey, what a perfect Valentine's Day gift.

I have attempted to email as many people as I can via the forum. However, if you know of someone that isn't aware of what this endeavor, please send them an email and let them know it is going on. I do not want to leave anyone out, but at the same time, I can't post on the forum, else give away the surprise. Please be careful not to discuss it on the forum, Terry has eagle eyes, and take care that she isn't accidentally carbon copied on any emails.

When I sent out the first batch of request emails, it seemed that many wanted to do a pieced block. So, I am putting that option out to everyone. I will attempt to evenly distribute the pieced blocks with the signature blocks. I will also supplement the quilt with some spacer blocks using the batik center and white borders to give it some punch. I will also provide the backing and batting, and machine quilt it. I do not think that I would be able to get it done professionally in time for St V's Day. I think a straight off stitch in the ditch will suffice. The quilting should not distract from the actual blocks themselves.

Deadline for mailing: January 15, 2002. I will begin assembly on or about January 20th to allow for mailing time. Any blocks received after that time will be kept to make a matching pillow, if necessary, or incorporated in the backing. But please try to make sure that I have your block no later than the 20th of January.

I will be writing up an explanation and submitting a picture of the quilt to Quilter's Newsletter Magazine and QuiltMaker Magazine. Let's cross our fingers that we get published. I am still open to suggestions for the middle of the quilt. I wondered if we should include a panel explaining the purpose of the quilt, or a picture of Terry and the Quilting Passion logo, or something like that. Let me know your thoughts. I may just leave it as all of the blocks assembled alone.

Now, onto the instructions:

Supplies

*Note: Jewel tone refers to any color that resembles a gemstone. Think amethyst, blue topaz, sapphire, citron, jade, emerald, and so on. If you get a "print" style batik, try to stick with something that has a small pattern in it.

Block Assembly

The center is made up of either a 6" unfinished pieced block, or a 6" piece of good white muslin, or WOW fabric. Decorate and sign this block as desired. Be sure to use only fabric safe, permanent pens, such as Pigma Micron Pens, to sign your block. You may also use Bubble Jet Set treated fabric, but please be sure to wash block to ensure no bleeding. If you use a pieced block, be sure to select a block that has a place for your signature.

Signature

Include:

Add Borders

  1. Sew the 2 - 2.5" x 6" strips of batik to either side of the 6" square. Press seams towards border.
  2. Sew the 2 - 2.5" x 10" strips of batik to the top and bottom of the 6" square. Press seams toward border.

block assembly

You should now have a 10" x 10" block. You will need to send that to me along with the 3" x 12" strip of matching batik. (I will use that to create a variegated binding.

Additional Information

Please feel free to embellish your block as desired. Keep the Quilting Passion forum and Terry in mind. If you decide to do a pieced block, try to keep it more simple so as not to distract too much from any other block. Also, if you believe that your block will need quilted for any reason, enclose a note to me to that affect.

I will forward my snail mail address as a reminder the first week of January. And thank you all so much in advance for participating in this endeavor.

Here is an example of the anticipated, completed quilt:
Surprise Quilt

Received Blocks

I am happy to report that I received 30 signed blocks, which was my goal. I also received an additional 6 extra blocks (4 extra from Pam29011, 1 extra from ScrapQuilter, 1 extra from Brooklea, and then the extra 1 showing already from Kehl2.) This gave me 36 blocks. I decided to make the quilt 7 blocks x 7 blocks, so I will make 13 alternate blocks (With the white as the borders) to finish off. I have also decided, tentatively, to add a 2" border of black fabric. (Either a Moda Marble or a Batik if I can find a black batik.) I think this will help setoff the blocks, and bring more attention to the variegated binding.

Without further ado...
Go To Received Blocks Page

Closeup image of Center, embroidered block: View

Full quilt, sandwiched but not quilted or bound: View

Full quilt but high resolution/larger image (79k): View

Finished quilt with binding, after quilting. Sorry, the quilting doesn't really show up well in the photo. :-( View

Quilt Back, again, the quilting doesn't show up much. I hand dyed the backing, but this was my first time doing such large pieces so it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. View

Here is the label, printed on Bubble Jet Set treated fabric. View

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