PQ10.2 - Red, White, and Blue

The second challenge of Project Quilting Season 10 was Red, White, and Blue.

The timing of this challenge was pretty opportune as it coincided with an improv challenge issued by Amy Ellis from Amy's Creative Side and a solids challenge due at the March meeting of the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild. Both weekends were relatively free of plans, AND I had Monday off of work in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This set me up to make a larger, in-depth project.

A few years ago, I started my solids scrap stash with a giant bag of scraps found at a garage sale for only $3. Many of the scraps are fabrics with previous lives as clothing, sheets, tablecloths and decor. I've added to it as projects have left me useful scraps. This has yielded numerous projects over the last few years. The RBW challenge was a great time to dig into it again.

In the Facebook group for challenge participants, there was a fair amount of discussion about this particular challenge and levels of patriotism. The announcement included a mention that many flags around the world include the colors red, white, and blue. In the United States, we were in the midst of the longest federal government shutdown in history during a time when civil discourse seems to be utterly and completely in the past. Many in the group, including some furloughed federal employees, were feeling disenchanted with being overtly patriotic. Thus, "Fractured Star" was inspired.

Some in-progress shots:

The finished quilt measures 30" x 60" and currently features mediocre shadow quilting. The time constraint of the challenge required a finish. I am currently working on a digital quilting design to further explain the current state of discourse in the United States.

A Modern Mini Swap Between the Omaha and Lincoln Modern Quilt Guilds

I am a member of two modern quilt guilds - one in Omaha and one in Lincoln. Having access to two (actually four, two of which are modern guilds) groups' activities makes it more likely I'll get to some of them each month with family and work commitments. Each guild has meetings most months with educational programs, show and tell, and connecting with other local quilters plus an assortment of classes, workshops, outreach events, and sew-days.

A few of us are in both the Lincoln and Omaha Modern Quilt Guilds. The leadership of the two guilds decided this year to host an activity to bring the guilds together. That sew day included a mini swap to help members from one guild get to know members of the other guild on a more individual basis. I was fortunate to be paired with someone that I recognize but don't really know.

My swap partner is a great quilter who is inspired by zentangles. She lives in a mid-1900's house and loves all things Mid-Century Modern. This quilt was adapted from a photo I had found on Pinterest (unfortunately without attribution). I paper pieced it using Kona Solids from a paper template I drafted in Adobe Illustrator. Few colors seem more mid-century to me than aqua and orange.

I was not planning to be at the swap day but I was able to show up for an hour or so. Nancy loved her quilt, and I'm pretty excited about the mini she made me - it was actually similar to one on my short list to make for her!