Working at the Easton Quilt-A-Thon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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.