1 Fabric, 2 Settings
These are some lap quilts for patients at the Veterans’ Administration hospital.
Two lap quilts featuring the same central fabric.
They incorporate two of the fabrics I wanted to use up this year, the pale green with the arc design and the bright turquoise shell print. I intended to use the pale green just for the backs, and made the first one with the dark purple setting off the turquoise. I liked the contrast. But when I went to make the second one, I didn’t have another piece of a dark fabric to use. Since I was trying to use up the pale green, I went ahead and used it for the wide side panels. It’s not as dramatic as I usually like, but it seems cheerful and bright.
Two quilts, folded in half, to compare the fabric combinations.
I really loved that bright candy-stripe fabric, and cut it carefully to have enough for borders on all four sides of both central panels. But by the time I was working on the second one, I had misplaced one of those striped pieces! I hunted for an hour and finally gave up. I was sure that as soon as I had stitched on another border, I would find the missing piece, but it still hasn’t turned up. Next time I am pinning all the pieces to a bulletin board as I cut them!
I used the stitch and flip technique, and then did a minimal amount of machine quilting in some of the large open areas. It is too dreary and damp here to go photograph them outside today, and I need to give them away tomorrow, so these pictures will have to do. I hope they add some cheer to a veteran’s hospital stay!
They should cheer up anyone who gets them. .
They are both very pretty.
Thank you! I love that turquoise shell fabric and wish I had a lot more, to spread more cheer around! 🙂
They are beautiful! I love the colors. What a loving thing to do.
Patty, I am so fortunate to be part of a great group of women who quilt almost exclusively for others – for veterans, teenage moms, people displaced by fires, you name it. Some of them have family members with severe health problems, and some are like me with no care responsibilities at the present time. We don’t have the knowledge to help like you do with your informative blog, but we all want to use what skills we have to bring a little color and cheer to people that are facing challenges. Some people donate materials to us, and one member offers her time to teach new quilters, and then those quilters donate their very first quilt as thanks for the lessons!
I know there are several large organizations out there whose goal is providing quilts to kids in the hospital – have you ever come across any?
Yes I have. My mother-ini-law makes quilts for infants at the Children’s Hospital. I tried to learn years ago, but I wasn’t patient enough. You are right. We give where we can. 😊
I have a VA quilt in process, but yours are a lot more fun than mine! I did, however, remember to pull out a fabulous RED Hawaiian print for the borders. I guess that is where the fun is. I might finish it next week.
I will look forward to seeing it! I think my next ones will be a little calmer. Maybe. 🙂
I think your quilts will be greatly appreciated – most of the veterans are just honored to receive something nice from others and I think your quilts fits the bill. Those colors will light their faces….our sewing group does quilts and pillow cases for local hospital and children hospital. Then we have Peaceable Kingdom that takes quilts for troubled and/or sick children that attend retreats there. Great program.
I will look into the Peaceable Kingdom. And isn’t it wonderful to be part of a group that does things for others? We meet once a month and that sense of positivity stays with me all month.
That is Deep from the heart of Textile, a lovely idea and projects to long be remembered. Be a Blessings because you are, Mtetar
Thank you! I will remember that phrase and try to stay in that place when I am making things for others! 🙂
Your posts are always helpful in so many ways. You are always welcome, Mtetar
It’s fascinating to see the comparison of the two, and how the colors of the wide borders change everything! The center of the one with the dark border just glows but the other seems so beachy!
Yeah, I thought I wouldn’t like the green one much but I wanted to use up the fabric – I was walking by the guest room where I stash them while waiting to turn them in, and I saw it and thought, Well, that’s very summery after all! 🙂