Project Linus

For me, participation in Project Linus started last spring when my sister asked me to sew a baby quilt for a new grandchild that was on the way. She had picked fabric in bright, bold primary colors with sports themes. My brother-in-law also picked out some patriotic themed prints which he also wanted included in the quilt in honor of a nephew who was currently serving in Iraq (now safely home!). The only thing to do was cut all that fabric up, add some more pieces and make a scrap quilt. The quilt was a smashing success.

Well, as any quilter knows, scraps reproduce themselves at night. I had lots of child friendly prints and thought maybe with a few more prints added I would have enough fabric for another quilt to contribute to Project Linus. Things got away from me and soon I was cutting up lots and lots of fabric and over time, I had enough pieces cut up for at least 4 crib sized quilts to donate to Project Linus. I managed to get two of them made up and quilted in time to turn them in today on National Make a Blanket Day. My favorite sewing machine store was a collection spot for them.

Project Linus is a national effort to provide blankets to children in need whether from financial need, health issues, tragedy, etc. More information is available here http://www.janome.com/about_news_show.php?id=46, if you would like to be included in this effort.

After turning in my two finished quilts, I decided to clear some clutter in my sewing room. The first thing I hit upon was a box of leftover fabric from a yard sale. I started rooting through the box and before I knew it, I was cutting up and trimming scraps into 4 1/2" squares, 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles, and 2 1/2" squares. All sizes of patches that work well in a variety of quilts. By the time my shoulders just couldn't cut anymore, I had enough patches cut out for another Project Linus quilt. Now when I'm not feeling as well I can sit at the sewing machine an piece the quilts together.

While going through this box of fabric I ran into a lot of strips that were 2 1/2" wide but were hand cut instead of with a rotary cutter. Unfortunately that meant that they weren't to even and varied over 1/4" in width. Besides being in my two least favorite colors for quilting with: brown and orange. I hate throwing out perfectly good fabric strips and so convincing myself that someday I'll sew them into something, I ironed the wrinkles out and set them aside. Most likely what will happen to these poor strips is someone will find them after I die and if they too are a sewer they will set them aside and so the cycle continues.