Slice of Pi Quilts: To Orlando with Love

Monday, June 20, 2016

Eight days ago, 49 people were killed and 53 people injured in Orlando, Florida in a mass shooting. Instead of rallying together as Americans have done in the past, it seems that most people chose instead to use the atrocity to fuel political views and opinions. If you know me personally, you may know that I have strong beliefs and opinions regarding the issues facing our nation. However, this is NOT the time or place for that!

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

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This IS a time to love. But not love as the world loves. It's time to love as Christ loves. Many (including the Vice President) have stated that praying is not enough. Well, what can we do?

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

After the shooting, the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild announced that they would accept quilts and quilt blocks to assemble into quilts for the victims and their families. Their initial goal is to collect 102 quilts (for the injured and families of the deceased). Any quilts donated in excess of that number will then be distributed to anyone directly affected by the event including first responders, nurses, and doctors. (Read more about the guild's efforts here.)

"Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

This is one of many reasons I love the quilting community. We band together to support one another.

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." 1 Thessalonians 3:12

I cut and assembled the quilt top on Friday (quilt top in a day!), and I quilted it on Saturday. I added the binding on Sunday. The entire quilt from start to finish took just three days!

The hearts are made from Robert Kaufman Kona solids in Eggplant, Breakers, and Highlight. The backing was donated by my favorite local quilt shop, The Stitchin' Post. I used a polyester high loft batting and quilted it with vertical straight lines on my Bernina Record 930. The finished quilt measures 50" by 70". This is my 25th quilt finish for the year.

The call for quilts by the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild was just seven days ago. When I published this blog post, there were well over 1,000 posts on Instagram! Quilters are coming together from all over the world to send love to Orlando.

I prayed for the recipient of the quilt with every stitch. I don't know who that will be, but I pray it provides a small bit of comfort during such a difficult time.