Monday, September 7, 2015

Many Hands Make Light Work


Sadly, one of my work friends was recently diagnosed with cancer.  
I proposed to some mutual work friends that we make her a group quilt. 
Never mind that most of them had never made a quilt before!
My house became a quilt workshop.


Here is Kris at my sewing machine.  Jo Ann and Jan learned how to use the rotary cutter 
and cut out all the blocks.



Karen, Leslie and Joan sewed blocks together in the dining room.



Everyone got a turn at the design wall.



All were very proud of their efforts.



The whole quilt top was made in just a couple of hours!

The pattern comes from Sujata Shah's wonderful book, Cultural Fusion Quilts.
It's perfect for a group effort, because accuracy isn't an issue.
Every block is unique, and each maker can identify the ones she made.  



I quilted it with slightly wavy lines this weekend.
It's ready to comfort our dear friend!



The fabrics for the top came from Drygoods Design, a delightful shop in downtown Seattle.  
They have an online store here:  drygoodsdesignonline.com

The main backing fabric also came from Drygoods Design, but a year or two ago.







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37 comments:

  1. Quilteuse ForeverSeptember 7, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    All the best to your friend who is ill. The warmth of this wonderful quilt will help her to fight against cancer.
    Sujata's patterns are so easy and fun!

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  2. SusanSeptember 7, 2015 at 10:51 PM

    What a beautiful gift! You and your work colleagues are very generous with your time and your talents. May this delightful quilt bring much comfort...

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  3. Sujata ShahSeptember 7, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    I know your friend will find some comfort when she receives this gift of love and compassion. It is truly a beautiful quilt. I do see the joy of giving on all of your faces. xoxo

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  4. audreySeptember 8, 2015 at 12:10 AM

    The back is just as beautiful as the front. What a wonderfully serene quilt. So much love involved.:)

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  5. pompomSeptember 8, 2015 at 12:28 AM

    What a beautiful quilt and a lovely gift for your friend. Well done ladies!

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  6. KristineSeptember 8, 2015 at 1:02 AM

    The pleasure to sew a quilt with your friends will be transformed into happiness for your friend. Kristine

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  7. HelenSeptember 8, 2015 at 2:04 AM

    What a labor of love! This beautiful quilt says it all.

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  8. KarenSeptember 8, 2015 at 3:26 AM

    The colors and design for the quilt are very pretty. What enjoyment your group had.

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  9. ChrisSeptember 8, 2015 at 3:36 AM

    What a beautiful gesture of love and support! Now I feel the nudge to make one for my dear friend, recently diagnosed. Lovely ! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. MarieSeptember 8, 2015 at 5:29 AM

    This just makes me so happy. (BTW, love the geranium wall hanging in the first photo - it's a beauty.)

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  11. Ada Plouvier-KopitopoulouSeptember 8, 2015 at 6:50 AM

    Lovely quilt. Your friend will be very pleased with such a nice present and such a nice teamwork, to comfort her in difficult times.

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  12. DianeSeptember 8, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    What a wonderful way to spend the day! You all look like you are having fun and the result is lovely. Best wishes for your friend.

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  13. Quilting StoriesSeptember 8, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    What a wonderful gift for your friend. I wish the best for her to recover and to enjoy the quilt.

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  14. cinziaSeptember 8, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    oh the love that went into that!~ beautiful.

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  15. SharonSeptember 8, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    Wonderful!

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  16. JanSeptember 8, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Thank you Leeann.. Making this together was such a loving experience and alot of fun. You were a good guide!

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  17. JanSeptember 8, 2015 at 9:24 AM

    Thank you Leeann.. Making this together was such a loving experience and alot of fun. You were a good guide!

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  18. NicoleSeptember 8, 2015 at 10:07 AM

    Great top - I love the colour combo. Can you tell me more though about the mini quilt of geraniums on the wall in the first picture? I like the look of that too.

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  19. QuiltdivajulieSeptember 8, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    I can only imagine the joy and comfort this very special group-made quilt will provide for the recipient.

    Words fail me . . .

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  20. julieSeptember 8, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    what a fine gesture. please tell me about the red quilt on your table.

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  21. MonicaSeptember 8, 2015 at 2:08 PM

    What a great project! And best wishes to your friend.

    It is so nice to see your quilts around the house, too. I still love those geraniums on the wall. Looks like a fun day!

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  22. smazoochieSeptember 8, 2015 at 4:39 PM

    I hope the love in this quilt serves as a balm to your friend. Best wishes to her.
    Isn't it fun to see with others! I/Eydie just finished a quilt for a friend (not ill) & it really brought out the best of each of our sewing.

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  23. Linda @ kokaquiltsSeptember 8, 2015 at 4:48 PM

    A lovely finish, and such a special gift for your friend. Looks like you all had a happy time making it too.

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  24. bumblebee53September 8, 2015 at 10:40 PM

    I love the soft serenity of the colors, yet there is cheerfulness in the bold graphics of the fabric. Wishing your friend a speedy recovery; I'm sure this beautiful quilt will bring her comfort.

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  25. AnnSeptember 8, 2015 at 10:43 PM

    How wonderful to have such a group of caring friends. Beautiful quilt with loving thoughts sewn in it. I wish her a speedy recovery.

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  26. Ailsa (Cape Pincushion)September 9, 2015 at 11:51 PM

    A wonderful, heart-felt gift. I hope that your friend will recover soon.

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  27. AnnemiekeSeptember 10, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    You made a beautiful modern quilt. Such a good plan to give your friend a quilt from and made by her friends. I wish her all the best.
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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  28. Cheryl's Teapots2QuiltingSeptember 10, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    Good job to everyone. Hope your co-worker gets well soon.

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  29. SewPsyched!September 10, 2015 at 11:09 PM

    What a wonderful quilt!!
    All of our love and hugs to your friend. I hope she wins her fight with cancer.
    XX!

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  30. BarbSeptember 11, 2015 at 4:50 AM

    what an awesome group of ladies to make the special comfort quilt. It turned out wonderfully!
    The peeks of your home look so pretty and cozy!
    I'm sure your friend will love her quilt and I wish her well soon!

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  31. RachaeldaisySeptember 12, 2015 at 12:32 AM

    The quilt looks wonderful and even better that it was stitched my many hand with love and laughter. Quilts made like that are extra warm and cosy, like a big hug.

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  32. Lynn DykstraSeptember 13, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    Beautiful results!

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  33. Judy MartinSeptember 17, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    I love everything about this post. best wishes to your dear friend who is ill, and to your friends who got together to spend time making something to comfort her. And the quilt itself - magnificent!

    x

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  34. fiberchickSeptember 22, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    I hope your friend feels the love in and gains strength from every stitch!

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  35. maryandpatch.blogspot.comSeptember 24, 2015 at 11:25 PM

    Beautiful!

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  36. LoriSeptember 25, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    That is so special!!

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  37. VictoriaSeptember 27, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    What a beautiful quilt. May your friend be wrapped in the healing power of love with it, and may she be cancer free soon. xo

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