Last of the Round Robin Guild Quilts

The center is again the Tree of Life.  It is the same but different.  Colours can make a block and/or quilt be quite dissimilar to another quilt/block.
Dealing with large borders can be problematic as designs to quilt them are not necessarily those you would normally use in a border or sashing.  But you want something that will not just leave the border to be uninteresting.  This loop t loop stitch with periodic stylized small flowers worked quite well.
Fern shapes around the Tree of Life in the corners gave it some definition but are not as fussy as traditional feathers can be.  Fern shapes is a great stitching element for a large border as well.  I did it on a quilt of my own without realizing it is a bona fide stitching pattern.   I just liked doing it.

This quilt made by members of Annapolis Quilt Guild, like the others, will go to give comfort to someone a guild member knows who is either in therapy or recovering from cancer.  When doing these quilts I consider each stitch a prayer so the quilting plus the piecing is putting a huge number of prayers for the recipient into the quilt.

Continuing the Guild Quilts

How different a quilt can be when the center medallion is very similar, a Tree of Life block, but the bag get passed around to another group.  See the previous post for an explanation of how this works in the guild.  Here is the 2nd quilt.  The fabric around the tree of life is darker and the border is light.  It makes a different impression on the eyes.  The Tree of Life seems to pop out more from the darker fabric.  The borders are quite simple but effective.  The final border was very big but was broken up with inserted blocks at the corner.  You can see the insert at the bottom right of the photo.  I really like that and will remember it if I have the same type of large border.  The effect really breaks up a large border.

I quilted many, many roses in the border.  In fact, by the time I finished, roses were something I will shelve for a while and will use in a smaller area.  I did something similar on a Christmas quilt a few years ago and while effective, boredom sets in.  I was tired at the end but it turned out ok.

This quilt will find a home this fall.  I hope it brings warmth and good feelings.  I know the makers put a lot of care and love into making it.  

Many Hands in a Guild

One of the pleasures of belonging to a guild is when all the members come together in a good cause.  The Annapolis Valley Quilters in Nova Scotia do this.  It starts with a center medallion and a bag.  The medallion is donated by a member.  This year all 3 quilts will have the same Tree of Life Block donated by one member.  The bag gets passed from member to member each month during the year except July and August.  A name is drawn for each bag and the member takes it home without opening and returns it bigger.

It is amazing to see the end results of the quilts.  I do the quilting which is fun because the quilts vary so widely and there are great possibilities for using different quilting designs on them.   No possibility of being bored with a repetitive design.  All designs are done on a long arm with stitch regulator and hand guided.

During the beginning of the next year, members submit names of friend, family, church members, neighbours who are suffering through cancer.  The quilts warm those receiving chemo; cuddle those recovering at home.  There will be 3 draws for the 3 quilts.  And for the members there is a warmth in their hearts that they can make a difference to someone close by in the community.

These would be classified as scrap quilts with the center medallion providing some idea of colours.  This time it is fall; a beautiful time in this part of the world.  Here is quilt #1.

Two more to go.  Have a great day.