helen's quilt

I have a friend, Helen, who is sweet and caring and can always make me laugh. Seriously, she's hilarious. She's also authentic to the core and very knowledgeable of the gospel--all things I very much admire about her. One thing she apparently is not, is graceful. :)

While painting a room in her home a few weeks ago, she took a major dive off of or onto (?) a chair and got a spiral fracture in her leg. I'd describe what that is, but it's super gross and would make you cringe. I just did--eck. Following her surgery, she's been at a rehab center for physical therapy. As much as I'm sure everyone there is enjoying her humor and antics, I know she's going nuts without her family and friends.

To give Helen a little comfort and remind her we're thinking of her, some friends got together and made her a quilt. Actually, Jen Ostler did most of the work, the rest of us got to help. The whole thing came together in three days. I know...amazing!

  

JEN'S PROCESS FOR A GROUP QUILT:

• Choose a simple quilt design with blocks beginners can easily piece. (She used Little Man from the book Simplify With Camille Roskelley: Quilts for the Modern Home (Stash Books). Great book for beginners--and everyone else.)

• Purchase or pull together fabric from your stash. (Be sure to use your friends favorite colors.)

• Pre-cut all the pieces and stack into blocks.

•  Send out an e-mail (Jen used our ward's Google group) for everyone to either come over and sew a block or two or take one home and do it. (It took me about 20 minutes to sew and press two blocks.)

•  Sew the blocks together with the sashing and borders. Layer quilt top, batting and backing.

•  Make a run to a favorite quilt shop--or three--for a backing.

•  Send out or do the quilting yourself.

•  Give to someone who can bind a quilt lightening-fast (that's Monica Steelman).  

 

Jen embroidered a sweet message before sewing on the sashing.

After much contemplation, the extra little band of cream between the border patterns, was just what it needed. Great choice Jen, it's perfect. :)

I love the backing. Another friend, Amber Bonner, used scraps of the fabrics to make a matching bag. It's beautiful! 

Love you, Helen. We're ready for you to come home!

NOTES: The original pattern is for a baby quilt that measures 40 1/2" x 51 1/2". Helen's quilt is 60 x 76. Total blocks: 36. Fabric used: 9 fat quarters, 1 1/2 yards for sashing, 1/4 yard for border 1 (2" finished), cream scraps for border 2 (1" finished), 1/2 yard for border 3 (4 1/2" finished), and 1/2 yard for binding cut at 2 1/4", approximately 4 yards for backing (depending on if you use fabrics from the front for piecing). Purchase Simplify With Camille Roskelley: Quilts for the Modern Home for original pattern.

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