This one is for Dallas

Monday, July 11, 2016

This quilt was not on my to-do list. I didn't really have "time" to make it. But it's important.

Heart quilt for Dallas

There seems to be a lot (or maybe a "LOT") of chatter on social media about love lately. And the political scene is adding a whole host of other chatter too. In the midst of all of this, I keep hearing the slogan, "Let's make America great again." Please remove any political affiliation this slogan has, and just think about the premise of the slogan. I'm sure we can all agree there's some truth to it. Didn't America used to be great? What has happened? What made it great before? What does a great America look like? How will it become great again?


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Heart quilt for Dallas

Have you ever moved to a new state? Or a new city? Or quit your job to start a new one? When asked what you miss most about where you used to live/work, what do you say?

For me, I miss the people the most. Friends or family, they were what I loved the most about a place.
Heart quilt for Dallas

So how about America? What makes it great? I'd argue the people. And if America isn't that great right now, then it stands to reason that the people aren't that great either.

If I think America needs to be better, then the people need to be better. And "the people" can't refer to an unspecific group of Americans. "The people" is me. If I want a better America, then I have to be better.
Heart quilt for Dallas

If I have an opinion that I want to post on social media, then I better figure out a way to back that up with an action. Voting for someone that holds the same values as me is not enough. Pro-life? Why not knit, crochet, or quilt a baby blanket for a local organization that helps new moms? Believe in animal adoption? Why not put your fabric scraps in a pillowcase and make dog/cat beds for your local shelter? Want to show someone some love? Make them a quilt.
Heart quilt for Dallas

America can be great again. It will take all of us doing little things, one person at a time.

Actions speak louder than words.


Heart quilt for Dallas

I am not currently a member of a quilt guild. (Although I was a member of a local-ish one a couple years ago. I loved it! They meet monthly on a Thursday at 1pm. It's just not feasible to take both of the boys.) Even though I don't have a guild I call my own, my Instagram account is filled with fellow quilters. It's like we have our own guild!

Heart quilt for Dallas

So when I saw a "friend" post that the Dallas Modern Quilt Guild was going to be giving heart quilts to the families of the police officers killed last week (and officers injured and first responders), I knew I had to help!

This was a chance for me to put my love into "action."


Heart quilt for Dallas

On Friday, the Dallas MQG announced they were collecting blue heart quilt blocks and quilts. I knew I had navy and white fabric left over from making my Laying Tracks quilt, so I started cutting. I had just enough fabric for 15 hearts plus binding. I also had enough fabric left from the backing of that quilt to use as backing for this one!


Heart quilt for Dallas

I used the tutorial here for 10" finished heart blocks. I alternated the navy hearts with plain white squares. Before I knew it, I had the quilt top all pieced. The quilt measures 50" x 60" - a great throw quilt.


Heart quilt for Dallas

I used a polyester batting and quilted it using my walking foot on my Bernina Record 930 with vertical straight lines about 1 2/3" apart (seems like a random measurement, but it was so there were two lines between each vertical seam - and those were 5" apart).


Heart quilt for Dallas

I stitched the binding on by machine, put a label on the back, and boxed it up. The quilt was finished on Sunday, and it went in today's (Monday) mail to Dallas. Three days from start to finish!


Heart quilt for Dallas

I prayed for the recipient every time I sat down to sew. I don't know who that person will be, but I pray it will provide some comfort.
Heart quilt for Dallas

My 27th quilt finish for the year. This one is for Dallas.
Heart quilt for Dallas

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Heart quilt for Dallas


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5 comments:

  1. Laura,

    Your post is so good. It resonates with me. Yes, I agree that it is the people that make America great. I like this quote front Ghandi, "be the change you wish to see in the world." I love the scripture you chose. Thanks for inspiring me to be great.

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    1. That's a very fitting quote! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Choosing to use a heart block is very fitting because America's problem is a heart problem. Until each of us gets our heart right, America will not return to the great nation it once was. This is the verse that runs through my head quite often, 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." If only...

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  3. Thank you Laura for your positive thoughts and action. So many times when faced with news of a horrible tragedy we pray and say "I wish I could do more." You put your feelings into a beautiful remembrance that will warm a family with love.

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  4. Thank you Laura for your positive thoughts and action. So many times when faced with news of a horrible tragedy we pray and say "I wish I could do more." You put your feelings into a beautiful remembrance that will warm a family with love.

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