PHXMQG Charity Quilts Progress

This year I’ve volunteered to be the liaison with one of the organizations suggested by fellow PHXMQG (Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild) guild members: One*n*Ten. They serve LGBTQ youth in a variety of ways to “enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development and healthy life choices.”  This includes providing assistance through their housing program. You can learn more about them at their website (link here: http://onenten.org/about-one-n-ten/). One*n*Ten has requested twin sized quilts that would go to LGBTQ youth in need.

As part of this need for twin sized quilts, I’ve been sharing some easy to do twin sized quilts throughout the year. (Thanks again for the idea Bonnie!) I’m hoping this will gently nudge a few of my fellow members to make a quilt on their own! In April's meeting, I shared a quilt made using Jeni Baker’s Scrappy Star tutorial (see link here: http://www.incolororder.com/2013/04/scrappy-star-quilt-tutorial.html). Once I got the fabric cut, it only took me a few hours to put together! I will be adding about 10” of the grey solid to the top and bottom to lengthen it to be a true twin sized quilt.

I am putting together twin sized quilts for one of our local charities (One*n*ten). I provided kits for the 14.5" log cabin blocks at the last several meetings. The center is a 2.5” solid.  Then I added 2.5" wide low volume white or off white fabrics with a variety of solids (pastels, jewel tones, whatever I have on hand). Below are pictures of in progress quilts. These are currently with guild members who are generously donating their quilting skills. Hope to have finished quilts next month!

Arkansas Travelers Quilt: A Finished Top

Today I'm sharing my Arkansas Travelers quilt.  I seriously LOVED how this one finished!

For the quilt I used Arkansas Travelers block tutorial from Lee Heinrich blog Freshly Pieced.  You can find the tutorial following the link (HERE).

It is a block that is constructed using a combination of traditional and foundation paper piecing techniques.  

I first featured the block as part of my PHXMQG 2015 block of the month. As part of my demonstration I created a few extra blocks in a different colorway.  I'm so grateful I did!

I have a small (or, ahem, rather large) tradition of making quilts for each of my nieces and nephews.  So far I've made 18 quilts! I love creating these baby quilts and the joy of having something tangible to show my love for them individually. 

 When I heard this little girl would be joining my extended family soon, I just knew this would be the best use of those extra blocks!  I fussy cut some dogs into the quilts from some OOP fabric I hoarded (designer Heather Ross). My sister in law loves dogs and I hope to help pass that love onto her daughter, my niece.

For the borders I grabbed a large floral print I picked up while vacationing in England.  Isn't it wonderful?  I wish I had bought at least two more yards!  Isn't that the way it always goes?

Julie Hirt quilted it for me using some lovely loops (see her website HERE).  I'll post a picture of the finished quilt, once I can find the photo!

And some extra pictures in case you were interested!