Free Christmas Quilt pattern (or not) a great space for machine embroidery in a quilt.

Anytime I see fussy cut squares in a quilt pattern, I see an opportunity to use machine embroidery for quilt squares. I love the wonky stars and the offset feel of the blocks. This free Christmas quilt pattern can easily be for any time of year! Thank you to EE Schenck for the free pattern.

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Leftover Jelly Roll pieces? - Free Quilt Pattern

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There always seems to be at least two or three jelly roll strips leftover after a project - this looks like a quick and easy little project to use them up. Also, did you buy one of each size of the yo-yo makers? (I would never do that! or buy two of some sizes, because I couldn't find one when I needed it.) Now is a good time to break those yo-yo makers out and use them! Thank you to Fairfield for this free quilt pattern.

Free Jelly Roll Quilt Pattern

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I have posted this one before, but it is just too good to let fall through the cracks. I think it is absolutely beautiful. And who doesn't have a jelly roll that needs to be used! This would be a fantastic gift quilt. Thank you Fairfield!

Free Pattern - Red and White

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Here is a free pattern from Fairfield. Sometimes I want to start a quilt, but don't want to spend time sorting through my stash to select colors - this is when I really like two-color quilts, not a whole of thinking on the selection phase. Of course you could do this scrappy as well, just mix lights and darks. Consistently use darks in place of reds and lights in place of whites. Would be a great quilt to use a fat quarter bundle.

Call for Quilts - Davies Homeless Shelter

I have never posted anything like this before, so I am a little nervous. I certainly don't intend to offend anyone, but I do know that quilters are a very generous bunch and often look for opportunities to share.

I am on the board of the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter, located in Rome, GA. Until now, we have operated out of rented spaces. Last year we started an incredible journey of building our own building. This building is designed to house 16 men and will be opening in August/September. We will have 16 beds for men who are homeless and transitioning in life. I think that homemade quilts would go a long way to make their environment feel like a home.

I would like to request twin size quilts for the beds. The beds are 80" long. Please consider making one and donating. They are all men's beds, so colors should be masculine. Please let me know if you can do one. You can e-mail me directly at: michele.hester@gmail.com

The Shelter is not a permanent home, but a transitional home, while these men get the things in place to move into their own housing. Please visit our website to learn more about what we do for these men:: http://daviesshelter.com/ We are a 501(c)3 and donations are tax deductible.

Flour Sack Strip Quilt

Jean Bray – a sister quilter in our guild – gave me these “scraps” of fabrics she had left over from a quilt she had made. The “scraps” are pieces of feed sacks - probably from the early 1900’s.

I used the pieces of fabric just as they were given to me. I didn’t cut them, just designed the quilt based on the fabrics as they were. Long narrow strips of fabric are referred to as “strings."

Anyone who knows Jean, appreciates her sense of humor. It is this sense of humor that endears her to me. In keeping with her sense of humor, I respectfully (and lovingly) named the quilt “String Jean.”

This quilt is a great mixture of old and new. The design and quilting would be considered modern, yet the fabric is older than the maker of the quilt.

Rosa Parks - a piece of history

The Library of Congress recently announced that they had digitized Rosa Parks' personal collection of papers, letters, and photographs. Amongst the papers was a hand written recipe for "Featherlite Pancakes." My children and I tried the recipe today and I was truly amazed by how light they are! Try some - and truly share in a taste of history.

 

 

Sift:
1 cup flour (140 grams)
2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar

Mix:
1 egg
1 1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup peanut butter melted
1 tablespoon melted shortening or oil

Combine both wet and dry ingredients.

(Note this batter seems really runny, but it works. Make sure your griddle/skillet is hot before you start.)