Monday, February 29, 2016

Bargello QAL Schedule and Introduction to Sponsors!

I have been very much looking forward to the 'official' first post of the Bargello QAL!

bargello quilt large and small qal

The QAL is free and you can choose between two sizes.

Large Bargello - I'll call this quilt Queen B - finishes at 36'' square.

bargello quilt

Mini Bargello - aka Baby B - finishes at 16'' square.

bargello quilt

Both Queen B and Baby B use 2 1/2 inch strips so you might find just what you need already in your stash.

Here is the schedule:

  • Kickoff and Sponsor Introduction  (today!)
  • Fabric Requirements   (March 7)
  • Bargello Basics   (March 14)
  • Bargello assembly   (March 21)
  • Quilting the bargello (March 28)
  • Linky party (March 28 - April 22)
  • Winners selected   (April 22)

And for the super exciting part!

We've two fantastic sponsors for the QAL.

Three (3) participants - chosen randomly - will win a fat quarter bundle.  An entry into the QAL is earned with a completed quilt top - quilted or not quilted.

Make both Bargellos and earn two entries!

Become seriously addicted and make a third?  Earn yourself another entry.  (And so on!)

For those who want to enter but don't have a blog, entries can be sent via email.   Bonus points also available for sharing via Facebook and Instagram - more on that later.


American Made Brand solids, one of my blog sponsors, has a collection of 75 beautiful colors of fabric completely manufactured in the United States - from the cotton to the finished fabric!  The fabric has deep rich color and I love the feel of the fabric (the hand.)  My large Bargello was made exclusively of American Made Brand solids from my stash.

 American Made Brand is providing two fat quarter bundles - aren't these beautiful colors?

American Made Brand Solids
Add caption


Fat Quarter Shopone of my blog sponsors, offers a tremendous selection of fabric and very beautiful (and tempting!) block of the month offerings.  Fat Quarter Shop offers fabric from many different manufacturers and you can find anything you are looking for there! 

Fat Quarter Shop is providing a fat quarter bundle of Riley Blake Small Gingham.

Fat Quarter Shop Small Gingham



The more the merrier in a QAL so help me spread the word.  Grab the button for your blog.


Elm Street Quilts

If you want to receive an email just about the Bargello QAL, click here.

Bargello quilt qal






Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, February 26, 2016

Hugs - Wrap Up and Reflections

Elm Street Quilt Hugs

As Valentine's day approached, I had the idea to turn expand the concept of gifting a sign of affection beyond a single day and beyond those very close to you.

What if we all united to turn the entire month into one of giving handmade to others who needed to know that someone cared?

My goal was to encourage others to give handmade and bring attention to organizations that I uncovered in my research that were doing good things.  There are so, so many wonderful groups out there focused on doing good.  I hoped to have people link up, use social tags to bring awareness to groups they cared about.

While I didn't get any takers on using my social tags, I know from the comments and emails I did get, that Hugs introduced a few people to groups who cause touched their heart and I hope that some of these people will be inspired enough to get involved.

Focusing on Hugs also helped me recognize how many wonderful blog posts show up all the time about how quilters are giving to others through their guild, through their church and through some of the organizations I was blogging about.

My reflections and advise as a result of my research in support of Hugs:


    rose
  • The world is filled with many generous people.  Generous with their time and their handmade items.  (To be fair, I already knew this going into the series but it was wonderful to have it confirmed over and over again.)

  • Before crafting for any organization, ask first.  Ask what they need the most.  Ask about what kind of materials are required.  Ask what size of quilt would best meet their needs.
  • Consider how you can help people local in your own community.  Your local quilt shop or guilds are terrific resources here.  They are often collection points for local delivery and can also be sources for donated fabric and supplies.

  • There are many organizations in the world doing their best to support people in need.  Find one that you are very passionate about and figure out how best to support them in a way that works for you.

trees in springHugs became more about my personal journey than I anticipated.

The research I did associated with these posts helped me sort out where I wanted to focus my time in support of others.  All of the organizations  I wrote about and donated to are doing amazing work and I truly enjoyed donating the items that I made.

What I've sorted out is I want to donate locally, for children and perhaps for children with Down syndrome.  I'll now explore how best o support this focus.

Thank you for reading along and doing what you do to give a handmade hug to someone who needs one.

Hugs.



Have a wonderful day! Patty

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Hugs - So many places to help


Elm Street Quilts is not directly affiliated with any of the organization featured in this series.  With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, in the blog comments or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

Throughout the month, I wrote about several organizations that are working very hard to get quilts and handmade items to those who need a hug.


There are so many more organizations that I didn't write about - two of which I did want to cover in this post



Quilt for Kids accepts quilt donations.  Quilt for Kids has been going strong for 14 years and sets a goal of donating 30,000 quilts to kids every year.  There are a lot of chapters across the US - check here to find one near you.

 Their FAQ page contains helpful information on where to ship finish quilts.  They also supply quilt kits for free - you just cover the shipping charge of a modest $6.  QFK also has a pattern page in support of their kits.


Veteran organizations are important to consider for your handmade.  Quilts of Valor is the one you may have heard about.  Their mission statement - "The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." is a wonderful one.   Making a quilt for a service person is a wonderful way to say thank you for their service.

There are Quilts of Valor organizations in both the US and Canada.  Lesley from The Cuddle Quilter had a couple of recent posts (here and here) on her involvement with the Canadian branch of Quilts of Valor.  (Check out the second one to capture her featured in a bit on the local news station.)

Some other resources and perspectives that you might find helpful in your own journey on giving handmade:

    Warren Charity Bear Shiny Happy World pattern
    Warren although I call him Beau
  • Sew Mama Sew has a monthly series about Sew Good - focusing on people who dedicate time to sewing for others.  A recent post featured  Alison Robins ( Little Island Quilts) and the quilts donated to an orphanage in Mexico city.This post on Sew Mama Sew makes a great read to both understand why Alison is focused on this group but it also captures the essence of what many of us feel.  Namely, you know there so many people in need out there and you want to help.  How best to do so is the question.


  • Abby from While She Naps shared her insights on giving handmade to charity in this post.   She discusses truly understanding what is needed and will be used as well as considering financial donations. 


I'll be back tomorrow with one more post on Hugs to wrap things up with my reflections after authoring the Hugs series of posts.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Hugs - Charity Through Your Local Guild


Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with any of the organizations in the series.

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   


A great place to find like minded individuals who want to quilt for charity is to look no further than your local guild.  Capital Quilters is one of the guilds in my area.  They've been donating quilts since the guild began in the early 1980's with quilts in those early years going to Ronald McDonald House and local Neonatal care units at area hospital.



While not yet a member of the guild, I did attend one meeting to get to know the organization.  I was very impressed with the parade of charity quilts that surrounded the large audience.

Bonnie Hunter was speaking that night which clearly drew in a lot of people.  Which met circling the audience with the parade of  charity quilts even more impressive!  (Bonnie's post from that evening.)

The guild newsletter said more than 80 quilts were collected that evening alone.

Raleigh Capital Quilters Donation parade Bonnie Hunter
Photo credit to Bonnie Hunter from http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2015/11/and-then-there-was-some-raleigh-show.html

The Capital Quilters guild has focused their charitable quilt making for 2015-2016 on quilts for kids, Quilts on Wheels and SAFEchild.  Goals to donate 225 quilts have been set for each group.  The quilts for kids are donated to  the Neonatal Intensive Care units at two local hospitals.  Quilts on Wheels is a program that provides lap sized quilts to residents of local nursing homes.  SAFEchild (Stop Abuse for Every Child) organization provides support for children who have been identified as abused or neglected in our local county.

The guild provides kits to members for some of their charitable quilting and accepts donations of supplies.

The guild's primary purpose for making comfort quilts is to provide a personal gift of a lovingly created textile creation to area hospitals nursing homes and families graduating from the SAFEChild parenting education program. The are well over 300 members who make these quilts to share their love of quilting with the community.  

In the guild's December newsletter, there was a great quote from someone whose mother-in-law had received a quilt through the Quilts on Wheels program:


"Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt you made for my mother-in-law. .......When she was younger she made about 125 quilts to give to her four children. They are a treasure to us!! She is 95 years old now and is not able to quilt. We appreciate your thoughtfulness!!”

The members of the Capital Quilters guild are certainly doing a lot for our community.  I thank them for all of the handmade hugs they are creating.

Have you done charity quilting through your guild?


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Monday, February 22, 2016

Words

"Words are,
in my not so humble opinion, 
our most inexhaustible source of magic."
Albus Dumbledore


My youngest is 17 and off to college in the fall. (sniff)

She is a big fan of the Harry Potter books.  And she wants to major in Creative Writing.

I've been trying to come up with a plan for her quilt for months.

Until now.

This fat quarter pack of low volume fabric that has been living in my stash for awhile will form the background.


It will be paired with this yummy fabric from my local quilt store called Happy Hour Square Dot Blender in Charcoal - fun square polka 'dots' which offers great contrast.


And one of her favorite quotes will be the centerpiece in the quilt.

I'm paper piecing these - having fun!


Only 58 letters to go!
"Words are, in my not so humble opinion, 

our most inexhaustible source of magic."

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Friday, February 19, 2016

Hugs: Quilts for Someone Who Needs a Hug

The objective in the series of Elm Street Quilts Hugs blog posts is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   


I start quilts for basically two reasons:

    -  The quilt is in honor of a person, perhaps for birthday or wedding.
     - The quilt is just for fun - enjoying the making process as I quilt along with a  BOM or QAL.

Except once.

Back in 2011, however, I started a jewel box quilt and from the very beginning I knew deep inside I was making the quilt for someone.

I just didn't know who.   It was a feeling that kept with me throughout the entire process of creating the quilt top.

And then a very dear friend learned she had breast cancer.

The quilt became Sweet Tea and was gifted to her as soon as I got it quilted and bound.

jewel box quilt

It was amazing really as the quilt was perfect for her.  The fabric absolutely were her.   She is this fabulous person, full of energy and compassion for everyone.  She is also from the south and the name Sweet Tea was in celebration of all of that.

jewel box quilt

I cried when I gave it to her.

My dear friend is doing fine - she beat that cancer.  I don't get to see her often enough but when we do get together, we laugh and pick up the conversation like no time had passed.

Have you gifted a quilt to someone who needed some extra support?  In situations like this, it can be hard to know how to help but leaving someone a quilt - a handmade hug - helps them remember that people care.

Please join me in this month of hugs.

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization you support with your #handmadehug giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

jewel box quilt



Have a wonderful day! Patty

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Hugs: Little Dresses for Africa

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Little Dresses for Africa organization.  With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.


Today's post is about the Little Dresses for Africa organization.



I first learned about the  Little Dresses for Africa organization from my friend Jan from Sew and Sow Farm .  Last year, she sponsored a sew along for making dresses for girls and simple shorts for boys. 

For girls, the simplest dress will do.  There are actually patterns available which makes the dress from an actual pillowcase (pattern).   Using a pillowcase makes for a quick sew - the seams and hem are already finished.

Sew and Sow FarmJan has a great post on her Sew and Sow Farm blog about the organization and a sew-along she is planning this spring.

Lorna also has a post on her blog Sew Fresh Quilts today on this organization as well.  See her post here.  (edited to add this link)

Please go visit Jan and Lorna to learn more and see some photos of what she made last year.

You can see the full list of posts in the Hugs series here.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Bargello QAL!

I got my baby Bargello all quilted.   It finishes at 16"" square.

bargello quilt

This one was very quick to put together.  And fun.

But then so was the larger Bargello quilt.  This big one finishes at 36'' square.

bargello quilt

I'm doing a QAL for both Bargello quilts in March with a finish party in April.

American Made Brand Solids is a sponsor for the QAL - look at these yummy bundles I get to giveaway!!

american made brand solids


More details on the QAL coming soon!  Want to get email updates just on the Bargello QAL so you don't miss anything?  Click here.

Grab the button!


Elm Street Quilts

I'll be linking up here  Blossom Heart Quilts,  Sew Fresh Quilts and Freemotion by the River.


bargello quilt

My thanks to the wonderful people at American Made Brand for sponsoring this Bargello QAL.


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Hugs: Sewing Miles for Smiles

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Sewing Miles of Smiles organization.  I  was inspired enough by what I learned about the group to make a few donation blocks and wanted to share.


The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  



Don't you just have to smile when you see this bear?


Imagine a whole quilt filled with these guys in all different colors and you'll have a quilt that is sure to brighten the world of a child.

Sewing Miles of Smiles is partnering with Embrace Washington to make twenty of these quilts for foster kids headed to camp this summer.   Can you imagine how excited a child would be to arrive at camp and find a quilt on their bed with sweet bears for their very own?  And the quilt is theirs to keep.



I exchanged email with Dona Reynolds from Sewing Miles of Smiles to learn more about her organization.

Dona got started about 5 years ago sewing for a children's hospital - making about 800 items per year.  (Wow!  can you imagine?)  You can see pictures of the really cute softies she has made on the Facebook page.

A meeting with Anne Alexander, the Executive Director of Embrace Washington shifted her focus to being part of the team that makes items for foster kids.  Dona made 360 dolls and pillows for the 2015 Embrace Washington Foster Kids Santa breakfast.  Now, in addition to still sewing for the hospital, she is focused on making capes and flags as well as the quilts for the summer camp this June.

Dona sounds amazing.  I was happy to meet her through Facebook.  I love this quote from her email -

 "Once you see those children smile, you have to keep sewing!"

peekaboo bear shiny happy world

This sweet Peekaboo Bear block (pattern from Shiny Happy World) was so fun to make.   I enjoyed the embroidery on his face to give him a bit of personality.  However, it was a bit difficult to pin him down - felt like I was giving him acupuncture or something!


Want to help?

Reach out to Dona on the Sewing Miles of Smiles Facebook page and let her know you'd like to make some donation blocks or maybe a whole quilt!

I like the idea of donation blocks - it is a way to contribute to something worthwhile even when your schedule is quite busy.  Besides their cuteness value, these blocks make particularly good donation blocks because it would be easy to get all the donated blocks to the same size without trimming off part of the block.

While I do really encourage donating to your local community, the Washington area is special to my son and therefore special to me so I wanted to do something to help.

I'm going to get these two blocks off in the mail right away and get started on another block.

peekaboo bear shiny happy world

To read more about the other organizations Elm Street Quilts has been featuring as part of Hugs, see this overall post.




Have a wonderful day! Patty

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Hugs: Quilts of Compassion

Elm Street Quilts is not affiliated with the Quilts of Compassion organization.  I  was inspired by what I learned about the group and wanted to share.

All photos shown are used with permission sourced from their Facebook site .

The objective of Elm Street Quilts Hugs is to encourage the giving of handmade to someone who needs extra support.  This could be a family member or friend or perhaps to someone in your community.  I'd like to turn February into a month of giving handmade hug. #handmadehug #ESQHugs.   

I'd encourage anyone to write a blog post or Instagram or Facebook on an organization or your handmade giving.  Link it back with the social tags #handmadehug #ESQHugs, the blog linky party (here) or ESQ Facebook so we can all learn about opportunities to make a difference.

With this post and others, my goal is to raise awareness of organizations that collect and distribute handmade items to people in need.  

Today let's talk about giving a quilt through the Quilts of Compassion organization.

For this post, I spoke by telephone with the founder of Quilts of Compassion, Janice Grimes. Janice's passion for the mission was evident throughout our talk.  It was clear that she cares about people and is doing something to help them on their path to recovery.

Quilts of Compassion is an organization founded by Janice in 1999 after she herself was gifted a quilt after an accident.  That quilt bought her comfort and was a source of encouragement throughout her entire recovery and rehab.  The fact that someone she didn't know cared enough to make something for her gave Janice much hope.

Once recovered, Janice learned to quilt herself and recruited others to create quilts for those in need.  For many years, her focus was on bringing hope and encouragement to those in her community delivering a quilt directly into the hands of the person who needed one.

The focus of Quilts of Compassion broadened after the devastating tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri in May 2011.  So many people lost everything in this horrific weather event.

To help the community of Joplin, Quilts of Compassion sent in a Disaster Response team delivering hundreds of quilts directly to the families.  They worked with the chaplains in hospitals to help them get to the people who needed it the most. Since that initial deployment, they have returned to Joplin multiple times

The Quilts of Compassion web site lists more than 25 deployments, most of them being to towns hurt by tornadoes.  Most recently they had a deployment team in South Carolina after the horrible flooding this October, bringing over 550 quilts to the area.  The intent is to make at least two more deployments to South Carolina.  The next deployment is likely March to towns in Texas.



Quilts of Compassion will deploy to an area six to sixteen weeks after the event.  (This photo to the right is one of their deployment teams.) Janice said they visit at area in the 6-16 week range because by this point, the basic needs for families have been taken care are and the focus in on  rebuilding lives.  This is where a quilt can really help.

There was a comment on the Quilts of Compassion Facebook page that really underscores their mission and how a quilt can help.

I am in tears! My husband and I are flood survivor residents of Pine Glenn in Columbia, SC and we have just received 2 of your quilts as we were leaving our church, Christian Life Columbia, this morning. Thank you! We are truly overwhelmed. They are absolutely beautiful! I have never had a quilt and I always wanted one, didn't want to get it this way though..... but what a blessing! This has really touched us. Thank you for such kindness and compassion. Thank you for thinking of us. A handmade quilt..... what a labor of love. I feel like I was given a giant hug this morning, just when I needed it. It's been a rough & emotional week. 

When a natural disaster strikes, it is always hard to sit by and feel hopeless.  Many of us look for a way to help.


Quilts of Compassion is an organization which has the experience to deliver a donated quilt gets to someone who needs it.  Consult their web site for the information about quilt donation.  They will accept quilts that are tied or are quilted and would like quilts for adults or kids.  The preferred size is twin.  Financial assistance is also appreciated to cover the costs of the quilt deployment teams.


Their goal of Bringing Hope & Encouragement to the Hurting summarizes everything I learned in my conversation with Janice.

For additional information, please see the Quilt of Compassion site or visit them on Facebook.


Have a wonderful day! Patty

Saturday, February 6, 2016

XO - Be my Valentine!

Like school supplies in the fall, a charm pack is filled with many possibilities.

first crush mini charm

Crack open the label and spread out these goodies.  What shall I make?

first crush mini charm

Sort out the reds from the lights.

tutorial valentine quilt

Turn those reds into a heart - making a HST with a gray square (draw a line corner to corner and sew a scant to the side of the line.   You want that finished HST to be a 2 1/2 square.

tutorial valentine quilt


Grab that scrap from the HST and position it on the corner of another red square so it lines up straight and tall at 1 1/2''


Finger press so when folded corners line up and sew.   Cut off those extra dog ears.


Take another gray charm square and cut it into 4 pieces, each 1 1/4''.  Use these at the other corner.

tutorial valentine quilt

Assemble your hearts.


Assemble your mini quilt.  Secure two squares of batting - each at 4 1/2'' square - behind the hearts and then sew around the outline.

tutorial valentine quilt

Carefully snip away the excess batting.

tutorial valentine quilt

Make your quilt sandwich and then quilt.

tutorial valentine quilt

 I went with straight lines but avoided any quilting on the hearts because I wanted them to puff (or is it poof?) up.  I've named this project XO!

valentine quilt


I love making projects with mini charm packs. I get all of my precuts from Green Fairy Quilts - so many precuts to choose from!  In my Craftsy shop, you can find a pattern for another heart using a mini charm pack.  I call this one Everyday Love.  


heart quilt


I hope you found this tutorial and quilting tip on a quick project to use a mini charm pack helpful.  I'll be linking up here at Sew Simple Saturdays.  I love the idea of sharing quilting tips each month.  Here are the list of tips I shared previously:


valentine mini quilt



Have a wonderful day! Patty