Rounding up the Strays

Happy weekend friends, I hope everyone is doing well! I had a very relaxing 2 weeks off and now I'm back to the hospital grind. School has started again and I have a new group of anxious future nurses to warp *ahem* I mean teach.

Pam recently took on my stash of leftover string blocks from the past 5 years of January drives.  This quilt is made of the 12.5" blocks. There are several different designs, but they still go together really well.

These leftover string blocks from a pre-2019 string block drive were assembled and quilted by Pam too. Many of these blocks came from Karen M and Christy G. Thank you Pam! Clearing out these lingering old blocks is so satisfying.

Priscilla sent in this HUGE top a while back with really scrappy blocks based on the 2019 Fall split nine block drive.  This top measures something like 100"+ x 90", so I took the opportunity of have it quilted by Denise and Kay. The ladies recently acquired a long arm and needed some quilts to learn on before taking customer quilts. They did a great job!

This is the memorial at my work for our hospital employees lost of Covid. Unfortunately it will probably continue to grow.  Hug you loved ones close and get vaccinated! You might save your own life or someone else's. 

Covered in Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that donates quilts to patients dying in the hospital, over 800 so far! The September/October drive is running now, check out the main post HERE if you want to get involved. 

Linking to  Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday

Strings 2020 Wrap Up

Yes, just short of a year from it's kick off the 2020 string block drive is wrapping up. Thanks to the many of you who participated in this drive, like Beth T. who made the top above and Kathy C. who quilted it!

I love the gingerbread man backing this quilt! The rest of these were assembled by a combination of Pam M. and me and quilted by me.

The seven quilts here plus those previously posted bring us to a total of 23 out of an expected 24 from this drive. There is still one out in the world with a volunteer quilter, but all the ones I was responsible for are done and I'm feeling accomplished!  When #24 comes in I will post it so we can all enjoy it :)

As you know if you have been here a while, I have been experimenting with our traditional string block design over the past few years.  This design grew on me but it's not one of my favorites compared to the ones we've done before.

I do like the variety of layouts that can be made.  Strings are a never ending source of ideas!

For January I'm thinking about going back to basics with a slight twist, you'll just have to wait and see!

Here are most of the quilts in their "family portrait." They have since been delivered to the hospital, helping to push CiL past 700 quilts.

And here is the block drive By The Numbers for those of you who I know enjoy that. Merry Christmas everyone!

Covered in Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that donates quilts to patients dying in the hospital, over 700 so far! The Nov/Dec drive is going on now.  Check out the main post HERE if you want to get involved. 

 

Linking to  Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday

Strings and Reflection

Another week and another batch of string quilts! These six were quilted by me, but some of them were pieced by Pam. She helped out by piecing two great big boxes of blocks I sent her into 8 tops and sending them back. Great big thanks to Pam, she did a lovely job of piecing and pressing nice flat seams!

Also obviously thanks to those who sent in cool backing fabrics for these quilts. Patients and families love to look at the backs and often connect to them. 

There have been quite a few of these string quilts so far, and there will be more, so instead of talking about them I wanted to talk about something - or rather someone - that was on my mind lately.

I was fortunate to have several exceptional teachers in my life. Sometimes I really recognized it at the time and sometimes it wasn't obvious until later, looking back.  My elementary art teacher from 1st-6th grade was a fabulous artist in her own right and also a wonderful teacher.

Even twenty years later I remember so many things that I learned in her class.  I think her approach to art and her passion influenced my own creativity and curiosity greatly.

Just one of example of how she taught, our unit on weaving didn't start with some yarn and a loom. It started with meeting her Angora Rabbits.  She brought fresh wool and cotton, too, but the bunnies came to class. She showed us how she sheared them, then we cleaned their fur and aligned it by brushing between two big wire paddle brushes. We tried spinning it into yarn on a drop spindle and a spinning wheel, then we dyed it.  And then we got out the looms and the Walmart yarn, because no one in their right mind wastes Angora on 3rd graders!

And that was just one thing. Before we did collages we learned to make our own paper.  And then from the paper we branched into papyrus and vellum and book binding. When we did clay we didn't just make ash trays, we learned how the Native Americans dug clay out of the ground and we made Storyteller Dolls and pinch pots.

Can you imagine how much work and mess that was with 15 or 20 little kids? And how little it must have seemed like we were getting out of it? But I remember the details of so much she taught me. We did do the usual arts as well, I definitely remember perspective drawing, pointillism and impressionism. I probably remember them less because even then I was terrible at drawing and painting.  But she never let art stop at traditional lines, art was any kind of visual expression, including crafts or handiworks.

I don't think I ever really realized how much that one teacher inspired my passion for all things creative, and for going beyond the surface.  She showed how art and creativity can tie together history and math and science.

I had an equally passionate and innovative science teacher throughout high school who I can largely credit for the reason I'm in healthcare today.  I realize that these women also shaped the teaching style I try to bring to my nursing students, and I'm really just lucky to have had them.  Since it's been on my mind lately I'm going to write them this week. I hope that if you had a special teacher in your life you can thank them, too.

Covered in Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that donates quilts to patients dying in the hospital, over 600 so far! The Nov/Dec drive is going on now.  Check out the main post HERE if you want to get involved. 

 

Linking to  Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday

String Things

Welcome to round 2 of Jan/Feb's string quilts!  Long-time volunteer Holly assembled and quilted the first quilt, which has some really lovely colors in it.  She quilted intersecting lines that sort of looks like stars.

These next two quilts were assembled and quilted by Linda D. I'm excited to show you more of her quilting if the future!

Of course none of these quilts would be here without the many people who sent in blocks during the January/February drive...

...And those who have sent in binding and backings! Thank you!  A recent delivery to the hospital has put Covered in Love up to nearly 700 quilts.

I had several string quilt tops sent in by various people on my shelves so I decided to lump them in with this drive and get them finished!

This top was made by Pam C. and came with backing and binding.  Pam's quilts are always neatly pieced and pressed smooth, a pleasure to quilt (my pressing skills are, ahem, lacking.)

This top was made by Johanna, such bright happy colors!

This last top came from Elana and yes, some how we took the picture upside down! If you turn your head you'll see it's a heart!

Just wanted to assure you that absolutely everything you send to CiL gets used :) I recycle your ziploc bags, tissue paper, and especially the boxes!

Covered in Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that donates quilts to patients dying in the hospital, over 600 so far! The Sept/Oct drive is going on now.  Check out the main post HERE if you want to get involved. 

 

Linking to  Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday

 

Fresh String Quilts Up!

It's still July, technically, and we've got some of Jan/Feb's string quilts done! These are always a super popular block drive so it's a marathon to get them all turned into quilts.

Assembled and quilted by Holly

Covered in Love is blessed by the problem of too many blocks! Long-time supporter has Holly jumped in to help with assembly and quilting and she put together the one above.

This year's block design was an experiment and we are experimenting with different layouts as they come together.  You can see the design Tammy S. did here.  That one works best with sashing.

Assembled and quilted by Tammy S

Speaking of Tammy, she assembled and quilted these last two quilts from block drive blocks I sent her.

I really like this sort of flowered leaf panto she uses sometimes. 

Thank you to everybody who is helping us keep up with the need for quilts!  If anyone wants to throw in yardage with your blocks we are running short on large cuts (1yd or more) for backings at the moment. 

I wanted to share this story Chaplain Perry texted me. This was one of the unusual cases where a quilt was given out in a case where no one was passing away, but an exceptional patient needed extra comfort. (Word of advice, never let anything you own go into the hospital laundry).

Covered in Love is a 501(c)(3) charity that donates quilts to patients dying in the hospital, over 600 so far! The July/August drive is going on now.  Check out the main post HERE if you want to get involved. 

Linking to  Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday

A little reminder...

Jan/Feb string blocks quilt sent in by Tammy S

I got a nice reminder of why we do what we do a last week in the form of an email from a recipient's family member. She graciously gave me permission to share part of her letter with you.

A.'s mom received a very sudden and unexpected cancer diagnosis and died just 11 days after getting the news, 9 of those days spent in the hospital under lockdown with only one family member able to visit.

Village quilt sent in by Mina

A. sent me a kind email to ask for information so donations could be made to Covered in Love in lieu of flowers. She said,
"Your quilt was a very special gift, as my mom’s mother and grandmother were both quilters, however my mom had eye trouble and was unable to quilt much herself. She was so happy to receive your quilt, as it felt like a reminder of her mom. It was the highlight of a very difficult day."

She said that because only one family member was able to be with her, the quilt which reminded her of family was especially helpful.

They received this quilt from made by Karen & Karen, as usual it's a team effort. When COVID began we had to think through how we deliver and distribute quilts, but knew it would be more important than ever to continue. Thanks to everyone who helps out with CiL to support and shower love on these families, now more than ever.

Covered in Love's usual every-two-month block drive is on hiatus for the months of May-June. You can see a post here with talking about it and some suggested ways to fill the CiL sized hole in your month!

Linking to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finished or Not Friday.

2020 String Block Drive for Covered in Love

Hello faithful Covered in Love sewers! It's January and time for the 5th annual CiL String Block Drive. The first 3 years we did a traditional string blocks like these, then last year did a quarter log cabin variant.  This year I have another variation on a string block to mix it up a little bit. 

In 2018 we had a bumper crop of quilts!

If you're unfamiliar with the details of how these blocks drives work scroll all the way to the bottom of the post. Or visit this page for the details of Covered in Love's mission.

String blocks all start out the same, by opening your string drawer (mine ALWAYS seems to be over flowing) and cutting a foundation square of scrap fabric about 13.5" square.  You'll trim to final block to 12.5", so after you make one or two you'll figure out how much how much lee way you need to give yourself.

Somewhere in the middle third of the block draw a vertical line on any angle. 

Pick which side, left or right, you're going to start on and start at the wider end of the section. Start placing string to fill the section, making sure that they cover your pencil line completely.  As you put each new strip down, place it right side down and sew through all three layers.

Then unfold the strip and finger press it down in place. 

Continue placing strings down, working your way up the section.

Now, time to change directions.  Take a long string and place it along the same angle as your original pencil line. Make sure you place it so that all the seam allowances will be well covered.

Sew the new strip in place and press it over.

Continue placing strings until you cover then entire foundation piece of fabric.

Trim the block to 12.5". I find this easier to do from the back.

And that's it. Ta-da, one block done!

As usual with these string drives, wonky-ness is allowed and ugly fabrics are encouraged!  By itself one fabric or one block may not look all that impressive, but all together they make beautiful quilts.

(Edited to Add: View some finished quilts here)

Covered in Love makes quilts to cover patients who pass away at a Texas hospital and comfort the families.  Anyone can contribute to these drives and make as few blocks or as many as they like. The drive runs January thru February, so blocks should be in the mail by the end of Feb.  Email CoveredinLoveTx@gmail.com if you need the address to mail blocks.