Comfort Quilts for Power of the Quilt Project

Hand Quilting at RNQG Show

2011-03-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a future comfort quilt being hand quilted at the recent RNQG quilt show. The quilt frame was being raffled, and the hand applique top had been donated to the Power of the Quilt for use as a comfort quilt. What a perfect opportunity to showcase hand quilting to the many visitors at the show.

October 23, 2010 Quilt-a-thon in Sherbon

2010-10-23T16:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some additional completed quilts made at the latest quilt-a-thon.

We had some new people working hard at piecing quilt tops at this quilt-a-thon.

October 23, 2010 Quilt-a-thon in Sherborn

2010-10-23T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here are four of the completed quilts from the latest quilt-a-thon held Saturday October 23, 2010 in Sherborn, MA. We had an enthusiastic turnout of people who worked creating quilt tops and quilts for the Power of the Quilt Project.

Starting off the 2010-11 Comfort Quilt Year

2010-07-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 quilts that were completed in July, for the 2010-2011 year. With a number of tops carried over from June 2010, where we exceeded our goal of 200 quilts, we are making a good start to our next year, and our new goal of another 200 quilts.

Here are a couple of panels that were donated, backed with flannel, and then quilted using an all over pattern.

The Family that Quilts together on National Quilting Day

2010-03-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here is Grace-Mary with the first of many quilt tops she made today on National Quilting Day for Power of the Quilt Project.

And here is Grace-Mary with
another quilt, 'Americana'.

Here is Paul working hard putting a border on a quilt top Grace-Mary made.

And here is the brother/sister team who designed and put together this quilt top.

Views from Sherborn, March 20 Quilt-A-Thon

2010-03-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

We had people hand sewing labels at the quilt-a-thon, so the quilts can be completed.

A quilter with her very first quilt. She chose a lovely set of colros of pink and purple to go with the yellows.

And here is Helen, with some scrap 2" strips, she whipped up this lovely quilt.

National Quilting Day at Power of the Quilt, 2010

2010-03-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

Here is Margaret with 3 quilts that she made for the Power the Quilt Project in Sherborn, MA.

Notice the lovely flannel back on the last quilt!

December 2009 Quilt-A-Thon

2009-12-26T21:29:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 quilt tops that Grace-Mary made at the December, 2009 Easton Quilt-A-Thon.

December 2009 Easton Quilt-A-Thon

2009-12-26T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here are 4 quilt tops that were made at the Easton Quilt-A-Thon held Saturday December 26, 2009.

First Quilt for Young Quilter

2009-11-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

Here is the first quilt top made by a first time visitor to a Quilt-A-Thon. He is holding the quilt with his mother who drove him to the quilt-a-thon.

Not content with just making the quilt top, this first time quilter wanted to know how to finish the quilt, so he gave a hand at the pinning table.

After some assistance using a walking foot, and help with the binding, this first time quilter actually had a finished quilt just after lunch. Not only that, but he has a friend who was just diagnosted with childhood lukemia, and the quilt was labeled and sent to his friend.

So here were have someone, under 10 years old, never sewn before, and he completes a quilt top, and completed the quilting, all in a Saturday at a Quilt-A-Thon. So whether you are 9 or 90, you are welcome to attend and help out at a Quilt-A-Thon.

November 2009 Quilt Tops

2009-11-28T21:49:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the quilt tops that were made in the November, 2009 Quilt-A-Thon in Easton.

Young Quilts at Quilt-A-Thon

2009-11-28T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here are 4 quilt tops made by young quilters at the November, 2009 Quilt-A-Thon in Easton.

November, 2009 Easton Quilt-A-Thon

2009-11-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Here are 4 quilt tops made at the November, 2009 Easton Quilt-A-Thon.

Delivering Quilts for Foster Children

2009-10-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

On Friday, October 30th, I delivered 14 julenile quilts to Elaine, Family Resource Social Worker, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Social Services, for use with foster children on the south shore of Boston. Here is a picture of Elaine holding one of the donated quilts. The staff in the office were overjoyed.

Some Recent Quilts

2009-10-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the recent completed quilts for the Power of the Quilt Project.

Sue made this wonderful quilt with the cats.

Comfort Quilt Table at the RNQG Show

2009-04-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the RNQG volunteers who helped staff the Power of the Quilt Project table at the recent Traditions and Treasure quilt show held April 25-26 at the Blue Hills Regional Vocational Technical High School in Canton, MA.

St. Mary's in Mansfield Quilt-A-Thon

2009-04-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the volunteers basting a quilt top made at the quilt-a-thon.

Here are more volunteers at the hand sewing table applying labels and bindings.

One of the piles of completed quilts. Close to 40 completed quilts were done during the quilt-a-thon, with many more tops made and taken home to be completed.

St. Mary's in Mansfield Quilt-A-Thon

2009-04-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the sewers with their completed quilt tops from the St. Mary's Quilt-A-Thon. Don't they look happy that they have completed a quilt top?

St. Mary's in Mansfield Quilt-A-Thon

2009-04-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some people at the table basting and tieing a quilt.

Here are people at the cutting table.

The hand sewers were busy applying labels to the backs of the comfort quilts as well as stitching on the bindings.

And volunteers were busy at the ironing stations.

St. Mary's in Mansfield Quilt-A-Thon

2009-04-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Here are another 4 completed quilts from the quilt-a-thon in Mansfield.

St. Mary's in Mansfield Quilt-A-Thon

2009-04-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 finished quilts from the quilt-a-thon at St. Mary's Church in Mansfield held April 18, 2009.

2 Quilts with Free Hand Machine Quilting

2009-04-13T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 quilts that I quilted using free hand quilting on the frame. Compare and contrast this to the pantograph quilted quilts.

3 Quilts with the Wave Pantograph

2009-04-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

Here are 3 quilts that I quilted using the "wave" pantograph. Compare this to the 3 quilts using the "fracture" pantograph. Which do you like better?

3 Quilts with a Pantograph for quilting

2009-04-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Here are 3 quilts which I recently quilted with an all over pantograph, and the back of one of the quilts to show the quilting design. This quilting design is called "fracture". Compare and contrast this quilting design with the "waves" design.

Completed Quilts

2009-03-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here is the pile of quilts awaiting a quilt label to finish them off.

Volunteers admiring the completed quilts.

The pile of over 40 completed quilts during the 1 day Quilt-A-Thon. Many volunteers take quilt tops home to quilt and bind.

It takes many volunteers to complete a quilt, from cutting and sewing, to quilting and binding, and finally attaching a quilt label, many hands make quick work.

Completed Quilts on Display

2009-03-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the completed quilts from the Sherborn Quilt-A-Thon held in March.

Grace-Mary really liked the cupcake backing on this quilt.

March Sherborn Quilt-A-Thon Completed Tops

2009-03-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 tops that were completed at the recent Quilt-A-Thon in Sherborn.

Notice the look of happiness on the faces of these quilters for having achieved a completed top during the quilt-a-thon.

Bravo!

Quilt Tops from Marathon Quilter's Guild

2009-03-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here are 5 quilt tops that just came in to the Power of the Quilt Project from Sara Gravestock and the Marathon Quilter's Guild. A lovely grouping of quilt tops. My favorite is the first one, both for its simplicity, and for its beauty. It is strips of Asian themed fabrics, each strip 1" - 3" wide. What a marvelous idea!

I also loved this kite quilt, what a novel idea!

Marathon Quilt Guild, thank you for contributing these quilt tops. We hope that you can join us for an upcoming quilt-a-thon.

Sherborn Quilt-A-Thon - First Quilt Top

2009-01-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Power of the Quilt Project held a quilt-a-thon on Monday, January 19th, 2009 (Martin Luther King day), and John-Paul helped out in various functions: pinning a quilt top, working in the kitchen baking cookies and dealing with lunch, takedown, carrying machines. But his biggest accomplishment was that his sister showed him how he could sew a quilt top. So here is a proud John-Paul with his very first quilt top, made in about an hour, at the Sherborn Quilt-A-Thon.

Comfort Quilts Go Green

2009-01-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

Comfort Quilts Go Green (or 100 Ways to Recycle those unused blocks)

Quilters have been using their spare blocks and creativity to create comfort quilts for the Power of the Quilt Project. Blocks that were made but never used are being recycled into comfort quilts.

With spring in full swing, perhaps you are doing some spring cleaning. You can turn your unused blocks into a comfort quilt, or you can donate them to the Power of the Quilt, and one of our many volunteers will ensure your blocks get a good home in a new comfort quilt. Bring your blocks to a quilt-a-thon or to a RNQG meeting, and give them to one of the Comfort Quilt volunteers.

Comfort quilts are roughly 40" x 52", and if you don't have enough blocks to make a full top, you can always add some borders to fill out the top. Or you can make a partial top, and donate that to the Power of the Quilt Project.

Quilted Comfort Challenge 2009

2009-01-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

Broaden your quilting horizons and be one of the first 5 people to turn in a group of three (3) or more completed quilts or quilt tops to the Quilted Comforts Chairperson.

A spool of variegated thread and the warm feeling that comes from doing a good deed!

The QCC recommends,

"Expand your design skills, and/or your piecing skills, turn in a grouping of 3 or more tops. If you want to expand your quilt finishing skills, such as binding or quilting, turn in a grouping of 3 or more completed quilts.

"Feel free to show off your work during the meeting's 'Show and Tell' session. Get your quilting friends involved and turn in a grouping of 3 or more tops or quilts from your afternoon quilting group.

"And when you have completed your 3 tops or quilts, hang them up, or over the sofa, take a step back, and compare and contrast how they turned out. Did using a darker purple in quilt #2 enhance the pattern from a distance? Does the denser quilting change the hand of the quilt? What do you like or dislike about each variation? Take notes. Perhaps you will be enthused to do a new variation on the theme for your next grouping of 3 tops or quilts.

"Enjoy the journey, stop and see and smell the flowers. Take that path less taken, and see where you end up. Above all, have fun!"

Please note: Quilt kits are always available for the asking from the QCC. If you want to play with design, the QCC can also provide you with fabric. Just let them know what you are looking for with respect to color and quantity. You can also request completed tops to practice your quilting or tying skills (yes, tied quilts are acceptable). And remember -- it is best to use a flannel backing on comfort quilts!

Four tops by one sewer

2008-12-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Here are the four quilts by one enthusiastic sewer at the Easton quilt-a-thon. Using the big block (12" block) kits, Grace-Mary managed to complete 4 comfort quilt tops in 4 hours! If only the quilt-a-thon didn't have to end so early, she might have been able to do a half-dozen quilt tops.

Easton Completed Tops

2008-12-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here are 2 tops that were completed during the quilt-a-thon by two different people attending the quilt-a-thon. The first top consists of 12 big blocks (12" finished) kits, which go together quickly.

The second quilt is from the quilt pattern, comfort by the nines, which is another quilt kit that is available at the quilt-a-thons.

Eston Dec 27, 2008 Quilt-a-thon

2008-12-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

At the Quilt-a-thon held in Easton on Saturday December 27, 2008, here are some of the completed quilts that people brought to the quilt-a-thon.

Completed Quilt

2008-11-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the first completed quilts at the recent Easton Quilt-a-thon. Everyone loved the brown and white combination.

November 15, 2008 Easton Quilt-a-thon

2008-11-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

A great turnout of people for the Easton quilt-a-thon held Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Parker Terrace center, Easton, MA.

We had had sewers sewing on labels and making quilts along with machine sewers who were busy piecing together numerous quilt tops.

As well, we had a table where participants were tieing quilts.

The next quilt-a-thon is held in December, on Saturday December 27th, 2008, at the Keefe Community Center, Parker Terrace, North Easton, MA.

A New Quilter's Joy at Completing a Quilt Top

2008-03-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

Here is Grace-Mary, who has never quilted before, who spent the first part of the morning helping out the group of people pin basting tops to batting and backing. She then decided she would like to try her hand at making a quilt top. By lunch time, she had put together her first quilt top, and she was excited and happy at her achievement.

After lunch, Grace-Mary decided she wanted to make a second quilt top for a comfort quilt, but she also decided she wanted to decide what blocks would make up her quilt top. With her favorite colors being purple and pink, she found sufficient blocks and a border to make this second top. Along the way, Grace-Mary learned to pin her seams for accuracy, and how to use a seam ripper to fix those occasions where she learned about right sides together when sewing.

Thanks to Patty for lending a sewing machine, as well as her expert teaching at beginning sewing.

Grace-Mary is proud of her achievements, and is looking forward to the Sherbourne quilt-a-thon where she hopes to create another quilt top or two, before she turns 12 later this spring.

The Family That Quilts Together

2008-03-01T19:05:00.000-08:00

While the Easton quilt-a-thons are held at the Easton senior center, not all quilt-a-thon participants are seniors. Here are some of our younger quilters who worked on creating quilt tops during the quilt-a-thon.

The family that quilts together has fun together.

Here is a quilt top, made not from a ready-made kit, but designed by picking out the individual 12" blocks, along with a border, and then putting it together. What a wonderful way to learn about quilt color and design.

And here is another example of a custom designed quilt top, made by going through the box of 12" blocks provided by Paul, to find blocks which fit a quilter's likes and personality.

I can't wait to see other tops made by these two quilters.

In Memory of Jean

2008-03-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

During the Easton Quilt-a-thon, 2 people brought in a quilt donation. Their friend Jean, had been the recipient of a Power of the Quilt Project Comfort Quilt while she was undergoing cancer treatment at Brockton Hospital. Jean asked her 2 quilting friends to make a quilt to return the gesture to another recipient. Here is the lovely quilt that was made in tribute to Jean, a 9 patch, with 4 of the patches done in embroidery to detail the life of Jean.

All the quilt-a-thon participants paused their work to listen to the story of Jean and the marvelous quilt that was donated in her memory.

The closeup shows a basket of yarn and knitting needles, as Jean loved to knit.

Jean's two quilting friends didn't realize that they could attend a quilt-a-thon and help make additional quilts for Brockton cancer treatment patients. We hope to see them at an upcoming quilt-a-thon.

In addition to the quilt that was donated, there was a donation of fabric. So not only do the recipients appreciate the quilts, but their friends and family also appreciate the kind contribution.

Easton Quilt-a-thon Goers Brave the Snow Storm

2008-03-01T16:47:00.000-08:00

Turnout was good at the Easton Quilt-a-thon held March 1, 2008 at the Senior Center at Parker Terrace in Easton. Quilters came with their children and grandchildren, all of whom helped out with the various tasks at the Quilt-A-Thon, from pinning tops to backs, to sewing and ironing, the many hands made the many tasks go quickly during the day.

Organizer Patty Locke provided for snacks while we worked, as well as a wonderful lunch of pasta and salad.

We had participants who sewed their very first quilt top at this quilt-a-thon, as well as participants who worked on tops at their second quilt-a-thon, even though they were not even teenagers yet!

It was an amazing day of sharing and caring, and a large number of tops were created, as well as quilts sandwiched, and binding and labels applied.

The surprise of the day was a donated quilt, in memory of Jean, brought in by 2 quilters. (see the related blog entry for pictures and story). Jean had received a quilt while beeing treated at Brockton Hospital, and asked her quilter friends to return the favor.

No one was too young or too old to participate at the quilt-a-thon. Many thanks to Patty Locke for organizing this great event.

Getting Ready for the Quilt-a-thon

2008-02-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

Here are a set of 4 tops that Paul put together using donated fabrics. In particular, note the repeating use of the 4 ducks, originally intended for a pillow. The remaining fabrics comprise large scale prints, from horses to dogs and ducks.

These 4 tops are going to the Easton Quilt-a-thon being held March 1st, 2008.

More Using Existing Blocks

2008-02-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 quilts that were made using existing blocks in a stash.

The first 2 quilts were made by Ellen, using up some blocks from a block-of-the-month program that she did. Don't they make some bright and cheery comfort quilts?

Perhaps you have some unused blocks laying around that could be put to good use, as a comfort quilt for cancer patients in Brockton hospital, or one of the other facilities that receives comfort quilts from Power of the Quilt Project.

Using Existing Blocks

2008-02-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a quilt put together by Ellen.

She had some blocks from a block of the month that she had worked on, and she decided that she would use 4 of the blocks in this comfort quilt. These 4 blocks comprise the center row of blocks. By use of a border on each side of the center column, notice how the blocks stand out and catch your eye. Ellen added some fabric blocks to make 2 additional columns on the left and right, and finished it up with a nice border fabric. She backed the comfort quilt with a piece of polar fleece, and quilted it using some fancy stitches on each block. Bright and cheery, sure to bring comfort to a cancer treatment patient.

Do you have some blocks laying around? Why not put them to good use by either making a comfort quilt, or donating the blocks so one of the volunteers can turn those blocks into a comfort quilt.

2008 MLK Quilt-a-thon Quilts

2008-01-28T21:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the quilts from the recent quilt-a-thon on January 21, 2008 (Martin Luther King day).

the first two quilts are the standard 9-patch pattern, but the quilt top maker stopped at the strips of 3, instead of further cutting into the 9 patches. This enables a top to be completed quicker, and it adds interest to the quilt. Also, no points to match in the 2" squares in the 9-patch.

The 3rd quilt is composed of 35 blocks all cut from the strip sets. These could be left-over pieces from other quilts, or just from 2 1/2 inch strips.

The 4th quilt is a nice example of taking the 6 1/2" blocks of fabric, and arranging them in a pleasing pattern.

Martin Luther King Day Quilt-a-Thon Participants

2008-01-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

Erin and Megan each finished their tops at the Quilt-A-Thon this past Monday at the UUAC in Sherborne. This is one of their first sewing projects, and look at the results.

Not all the work at the Quilt-A-Thon is sewing, we have people behind the scenes providing the goodies for the snacks and the lunch. And a big group of people create work in the kitchen for the clean up crew. Here are John-Paul and Grace-Mary helping out Dana with the cleanup after lunch. Earlier, John-Paul and Grace-Mary were working with the flannel backs, measuring, cutting, and pressing the flannel into pieces suitable for use as backs on the quilt tops that were being made at the quilt-a-thon.

Big Block Quilt at Easton

2008-01-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the big block quilt kits that was put together by one of the Easton Quilters, getting ready to be pinned to be machine quilted. Notice how the yellows and oranges play off the reds and greens. May not be a set of colors that you would initially pair together, but look how bright and cheery this quilt looks, and it went together quite quickly.

Perhaps you would like to step outside your box and do a quilt top or quilt for the cancer treatment center?

Quilting Resolutions for the New Year

2008-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

It's now the new year, and winter is upon us. Have you set any quilting related resolutions for the New Year? Perhaps you want to try machine quilting, or hand piecing or improve on some other quilting technique. I always have this fear that things are not going to work out right, and I am going to spoil my project. In fact, sometime I spend more time worrying than I would have needed to actually go ahead and do something.

One great advantage of the Power of the Quilt Project is the quilts made for this project are destined for people who need comfort quilts, and the quilts are not destined for the judges at a quilt show, or those dreaded "Quilt Police". People undergoing cancer treatment are not going to complain that all the points don't line up, that there is a thread knot on the back, or that the quilting line is off center. They have much larger worries to worry about and they are just thrilled that someone thought of them in their time of need.

Perhaps this year is when you want to step outside your box and work with colors that are outside of what you have in your stash, or you want to try a bold, bright look compared to what you currently are doing.

We have opportunities for everyone. With quilt top kits, as well as tops needing quilting and binding, the Power of the Quilt Project can help you improve your quilting skills, while at the same time providing a comfort quilt for someone in need. One of our members got her granddaughter a sewing machine for Christmas. In the first two days, the 10 year old was able to piece 4 tops from PQP kits. Another person was teaching a friend how to hand piece, and used a PQP kit as the basis for instruction. So if you have thought about mentoring a new sewer or quilter, what better way than to create a comfort quilt at the same time!

Contact Paul Burega (paulburega@gmail.com) at a RNQG meeting or at a Quilt-a-thon for kits and tops.

Parade of Finished Quilts at Easton Quilt-A-Thon, Part 2

2007-12-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more quilts that were completed.

Here is the stack of quilts waiting to go to the Brockton Hospital. All told, 12 finished quilts appeared by the end of the day, with another 8 tops pinned to batting and flannel backs ready to be finished. Several more quilts were finished up by the New Year, and 14 quilts were delivered to Brockton Hospital.

Parade of Finished Quilts at Easton Quilt-A-Thon

2007-12-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

Here is the parade of the finished quilts that were done at the December 29th, 2007 Quilt-A-Thon in Easton.

Big Block Quilts at Easton Quilt-A-Thon

2007-12-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a completed big block quilt top at the Easton Quilt-A-Thon. Vicky worked on this quilt top, and after conferring with several other participants, decided that the top needed the thin black border to separate out the snoopy border.

What a nice, bright, and fun looking quilt top.

Working at the Easton Quilt-A-Thon

2007-12-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the recently held Quilt-a-Thon held in Easton on Saturday, December 29th, 2007.

The first picture shows several people pinning a quilt top made by the Ashley, grand daughter of Patty Locke, who had just received her first sewing machine the day before.

Here is another top made by Ashley during the first day she had her new sewing machine!.

And here is Ashley at the quilt-a-thon with her latest top. Ashley, who is only 10 years old, made 3 tops the day before the quilt-a-thon, and this was her 4th top. After the quilt-a-thon, Ashley made her 5th top, all in a total of 4 days.

Patty says that if Ashley can make a top from these big block kits, then so can any adult. These kits go together quickly, and they help to fill the need for comfort quilts at the centers that the Power of the Quilt Project help out. Are you ready to work on a quilt top for Power of the Quilt Project?

Not everyone was sewing by machine. We had a table of volunteers who were hand sewing bindings and labels on the finished quilts.

December Donation Quilts

2007-12-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

These 2 wonderful quilts were donated in December by Ann of Ann's Fabrics.

The snowman quilt is a lovely flannel quilt.

Quilt Tops by Easton Quilter

2007-12-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the fifth quilt top created by Paulie in the past 2 weeks.

This top was made by making some 9 patch blocks, 12 1/2 inches in size, from pre-cut 4 1/2 inch strips.

Additional kits are available if you want to try your hand at one of these quilts.

Easton Quilter Creates Four Tops in 2 Weeks

2007-12-20T19:56:00.000-08:00

One of the Easton Quilters took several kits two weeks ago, prior to the snow storm. Here are the first 4 quilt tops that were created by Paulie. They went together quickly, and they were easy to make.

Perhaps you have a couple of spare hours during this winter to work on some comfort quilts for cancer patients in need of warmth during their treatment.

We are also looking for quilt finishers to quilt these tops so that they can be given to the cancer treatment centers.

A third quilted quilt for Brockton

2007-12-20T19:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a third completed quilt by Paul. Notice the color of the quilting thread in this quilt as opposed to how the thread looks in the other 2 completed quilts.
One of the nice things about working on several similar quilts, is that you can experiment with how different techniques compare. In this case, similar blue blocks are used, but the thread colors vary. Which do you prefer?

A second completed quilt

2007-12-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a second completed quilt. This quilt is on its way to the Brockton Hospital Cancer treatment ward. Notice how the quilting appears on the various colors of blocks, some more visable than others.

A Completed Quilt

2007-12-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a completed top, which has now been quilted by Paul on the Happy. A quilting pattern has been applied to each 12 inch block.

Look at the quilting visible on the back of the quilt.

Donated Applique Quilt Top

2007-12-15T17:03:00.000-08:00

One of the donations that came in this fall was this lovely hand appliqued quilt top. I added the borders and the appliqued heart block that was donated by yet another person. Now I am looking for a person to quilt the top.

Easton Quilters

2007-12-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

The people at the Easton Quilt-a-thon, and weekly Thursday night quilting enjoy how quickly these tops go together from the kits. In less than 2 hours, a person can put together a quilt top for comfort quilts.

Paulie put these tops together as part of a 2-hour Thursday night quilting group.

Butterfly Quilts

2007-12-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

Paul received a donated butterfly quilt from Mary D. He was able to take apart the quilt, and form the basis for 2 comfort quilts. In his stash of Power of the Quilt fabrics, Paul found a printed panel which had a butterfly border running the length of the fabric. With luck, this piece of fabric was 5 yards long, just enough to provide the 2 borders for these 2 new comfort quilt tops.These two tops still need to be quilted, and are looking for volunteers. A wonderful butterfly flannel has been chosen for the backing. It is wonderful when family and friends provide donations for the Power of the Quilt Project, to allow us to make comfort quilts for cancer treatment patients.

Some New Tops for December

2007-12-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 tops which I just put together. These are all incorporating 12 1/2 inch blocks, including some donated patchwork blocks. Other techniques include creating a block out of scraps laying around.

The purple star block was from a large quilt top donation which was taken apart to make 2 comfort quilts. The remaining block appears in this quilt top. What a perfect place to showcase an orphan block.

Do you have any orphan blocks laying around looking for a good home? Contribute them to the Power of the Quilt Project, and they will most definitely get a loving home. Contact Gwyned or Paul to contribute, or you can make the entire top or quilt as well, as all donations are welcome.

Note the orphan blocks incorporated in this quilt top. I especially like the house block, as well as the star blocks. And the block with the small flying geese is too lovely to lose as an orphan block.

Remember, in a comfort quilt, people are not concerned about points that don't match. These quilts are to be used by patients undergoing cancer treatment. The quilts provide warmth as well as brighten up a dreary day.

So dig through that scrap pile, put together some blocks, have fun, and make someone's day!

Is a Quilt-a-thon Right for Me?

2007-10-21T04:43:00.001-07:00

Let me reassure you that whether you are a novice quilter, non-sewer or professional quilter or anyone in between there will be something at a Quilt-a-thon that will allow your talents to shine.

Megan and Erin, members of a local girl scout troop came by in the afternoon to see what a Quilt-a-thon was all about. They showed off finished quilts to the volunteers. Behind them are volunteers who are coordinating flannel backings, cutting fabric into 6 1/2" squares and ironing seams that had been sewn today.

Judy and Joan opted to bring their sewing machines and work on pre-assembled kits. Judy is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Area Church First Parish Sherborn, where most of our Quilt-a-thons are held. The UUAC is one of our prime sponsors as well. Joan is a member of the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild. RNQG is our other sponsor and a prime resource for support volunteers who can help those new to quilting.

Although most of our volunteers are frequent Quilt-a-thon attendees there are always first time volunteers as well. They are immediately welcomed to the team of Power of the Quilt Project Believers. Can you tell who is new and who is seasoned on this page? Unless you were at the October 13, 2007 Quilt-a-thon, I doubt it. That is what makes this such a fabulous group of volunteers to work with, everyone is seasoned and made to feel part of the team within minutes of walking through the door.

October 13, 2007 Quilt-a-thon

2007-10-16T05:41:00.000-07:00

We had a great turnout on Saturday for the October 13, 2007 Quilt-a-thon held at the UUAC in Sherborn, MA.

Here is a photo of the first completed quilt (front and back) from this quilt-a-thon. Attending were UUAC members, RNQG members, along with their friends and families, as well as friends of the PQP.

Attendees were treated to a wonderful lunch made by Dana, highlighted by the freshly made and baked apple pies and ice cream. I had several helpings of this wonderful delight.

Quilt-a-thon: Large Block Quilts

2007-10-12T05:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a quilt pieced and quilted by Ellen consisting of 35 - 6 1/2 inch blocks, along with a set of 6 1/2 inch borders. Ellen quilted this by stitching in the ditch, and backed the quilt with a piece of polar fleece, which she brought to the front for the binding. Since the polar fleece is so thick and soft, there is no need for batting in this quilt, so it goes together quickly.

This second top is pieced by Paul using 12 - 12 1/2" blocks which Ellen provided. This top went together very quickly.

Quilt-a-thon, Modified Comfort by the 9's

2007-10-12T04:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of quilts that took a Comfort by the 9's quilt top kit, and left the strips as 6" blocks, instead of the additional cutting and sewing to make the 9 patches.

Ellen pieced and quilted this first top.

This second top, Ellen took scraps she had laying around, cut them into 2 1/2 inch strips, and created strip sets of 3. Paul then cut those strip sets into 6 1/2" blocks, and pieced the top. This top has not yet found a person to quilt it.

Quilt-a-thon: Comfort by the 9's pattern

2007-10-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

The October 13, 2007 Quilt-a-thon is quickly approaching, and here are some examples of quilts made with the Comfort by the 9's pattern. Ellen has quilted and bound this quilt (quilt top piecer unknown). If you click on the quilt, you should be able to see some of the details of the quilting.

Paul quilted and bound this top made by Patty from an Easton quilt-a-thon. For quilting, Paul used a walking foot and selected different stitches on his sewing machine, instead of just a simple stitch-in-the-ditch. There are also some quilting lines on the diagonals, and a variagated thread was used to add some interest to the stitching.

Here is a second quilt that Ellen quilted and bound, again using the Comfort by the 9's pattern (Quilt top piecer unknown). The next picture shows the flannel back for this quilt. Ellen took scraps from some of the previous comfort quilts she had sandwidched and quilted, and put those scraps together to make a flannel back. What a wonderful collage of color. This would even make a great comfort quilt on the front of the quilt.

Using a printed panel

2007-10-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a quilt that uses a panel, along with a coordinating fabric for the top row.

A simple top to piece, just 1 seam between the coordinating fabric and the panel.

Simple quilting in the ditch finished off this comfort quilt.

Incorporating spare blocks

2007-09-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a comfort quilt that incorporates a few 12" blocks that I had picked up in a guild fabric auction.

A simple stitch using a walking foot along the block diagonals, along with a slight curve around the perimeter of the quilt provide all the needed quilting to keep the top and polar fleece backing together.

One guild member mentioned that she frequently sees piles of quilt blocks at her church bazaars, and at garage sales. What a perfect opportunity to rescue some old blocks and give them a wonderful home. Bring these blocks to a RNQG meeting, and they will be on their way to a new home.

9 - patch blocks

2007-09-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 quilts that utilized a series of 12" 9-patch blocks, along with some other blocks. Notice the use of the light/medium/dark fabrics in the construction and layout of the 9-patches. The interplay of light and dark add visual interest to the quilt.

The second quilt once again showcases a lovely Dresden plate made by Mary D.

Incorporating a large toile block

2007-09-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a comfort quilt that has as a central focal point a 12" x 24" toille fabric. Notice how easy it is to incorporate a large block of a fabric that you just hate to cut up.

Graphic 9 patch

2007-09-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a quilt that was done with some 4 patches and some 9 patches. The 9 patch fabric comes from a bag of fabric that was 'bland'. However, using the principles of light and dark, a fabulous nine patch is easily made, using 4.5 inch strips (on the serger of course!).

To kick it up a notch, some nice orange fabrics was introduced. Notice that the pumpkin fabric repeats in several places. This pumpkin fabric was a fat quarter, that was cat into 6 inch finished squares. Not having the heart to discard the bits of fabric left over from the fat quarter, these made it into 6 inch finished squares with some other left over fabrics.

September Show & Tell - 3

2007-09-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 quilt tops that were made to showcase some Dresden plate 12" blocks donated by Mary D. Mary had made about a 100 Dresden plates from her scrap pile, and when I mentioned that I was making quilts for people undergoing cancer treatment, she offered 9 Dresden Plates, which she appliqued onto 12.5" pieces of fabric that I just happened to have with me.

Notice how some busy prints look very nice as 12" blocks, and it reduces the amount of sewing required to make a top.

These 4 tops were actually put together on a serger, which is wonderful and quick for piecing blocks with a 1/4 inch seam. If you haven't tried using your serger to piece a top, you should try it. You can have a top done in no time.

Remember, if you have spare blocks laying around, they can be made into a wonderful comfort quilt. Just bring the blocks to a quilt-a-thon, or to a RNQG meeting. I am collecting the blocks, and making up kits for people to sew into tops.

2007-2008 Quilt Year - September Show & Tell - 2

2007-09-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here is another example of the comfort quilt done by Ellen. In this case, only 12 pieces of fabric were used, each a 12" finished square (each square was cut 12.5" x 12.5"). A simple design, yet the fabrics left room to showcase some wonderful quilting. Ellen used a variagated thread, and used her embroidery machine to stitch out an outline of a flower.

Some very simple elements, yet combined, they provide a powerful, graphic image.

2007-2008 Quilt Year - September Show & Tell - 1

2007-09-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

Here are 2 comfort quilts which were shown at the September 19, 2007 RNQG meeting. These were done by Ellen, who has helped with many quilts for the PQP.

Notice the few, simple blocks in the first quilt, yet how the color and pattern make a bold statement. An excellent example of making a quilt out of those wonderful fabrics that you just can't cut up.

The second quilt showcases 2 fabrics, one of which is a plain navy. Here, the interplay of light and dark make a bold pattern of the entire quilt. In this case, Ellen used the serger to put these blocks together, and on the stripped blocks, the serger seams are on the right side of the fabric. A simple decorative stitch, through the diagonal, provided the quilting on this quilt, showing that all you need is a walking foot, some thread, and a sewing machine to machine quilt a comfort quilt.

Doesn't this inspire you to put together some of your fabrics to make a comfort quilt?

Another 4 comfort quilts

2007-06-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here are another 4 comfort quilts, made with 6" and 12" blocks. They are all quilted either in the ditch, or on the diagonal, using a variagated thread and some fancy machine stitches.

4 quilts

2007-06-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 more comfort quilts.

A simple 12-patch

2007-06-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here is another example of a simple 12 patch to make up a comfort quilt. In this case, the border is 6", causing the quilt to be slightly larger in size, 48 x 60. Backed with polar fleece.

The quilting is done using some fancy machine stitches, down the diagonal of the blocks.

Ship Toile

2007-06-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Here is another comfort quilt made up of larger blocks. Note the use of the ship toille fabric in the 12 x 12 block, and in a 6 x 12 block. I originally had a fat quarter of this fabric, and I was loathe to cut it up into small pieces. Mixed with some other blue fabrics, the ships come alive the sea of blue.

Large square example

2007-06-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a comfort quilt made up of 12 - 12" squares, each 12" square is a 4-patch. Many of the patches are made of a single 6" block, but some of the 6" blocks are a strip of 3, left over from the PQP 'Comfort by the nines' pattern. The quilt is finished with a 3" border.

This makes the quilt 42" x 54". This quilt was made with a polar fleece back, so no need for batting.

Introduction

2007-06-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

This blog is to record progress on quilts for the Power of the Quilt Project,

MISSION:

To provide comfort through the gift of quilts to women undergoing chemotherapy and children facing hardship.