Hope Quilters

March 3, 2012

2012-02-24T13:53:00.003-06:00

Saturday March 3rd is the next Hope Quilters meeting - 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Room 214.

The agenda includes: the Mercy Hospital Pediatric ICU quilts (we'll continue to sew blocks and construct quilt tops); batting purchase; quilt tops to be quilted and finished; Riverside and Okoboji Bible Camp annual quilt auctions; Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage quilts. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy the fellowship. You do not need to be a member of Hope to participate in Hope Quilters. Just a love of quilting or a desire to learn how to make a quilt that will give warmth and comfort to those in need.

Quilt-a-Thon Results

2012-02-05T18:49:00.000-06:00

Between Friday and Saturday, 35 people participated in our Quilt-a-Thon to make Ezekiel quilt blocks from scraps. Blocks are being used to make quilts that will be given to Mercy Children's Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

While Mother Nature didn't cooperate with our event - she decided Saturday should be a snow day with six inches of heavy, wet snowfall all afternoon - we're grateful for the 10 hearty Iowa souls who didn't let Mother Nature deter them from joining 12 Hope Quilters for sewing!

Here are a few glimpses of our Friday and Saturday sewers and fabric-cutters with the piles of strips and scraps they turned into 6-1/2" X 6-1/2" Ezekiel blocks.

On Saturday afternoon, we were fortunate to have Jan, from Mercy Children's Center, stop in to see what we were doing. She stayed long enough to learn a little bit about the quiltmaking process, and tell all the quilters, on behalf of Mercy Children's Center, how much they appreciate what we're doing.

Left, in red top: Jan from Mercy Children's Center

Here's how the weekend tallied up.

Between the efforts of 35 guests, and 16 Hope Quilters, 396 Ezekiel blocks were created from small scraps and fabric pieces. Well done! And an extra, special thanks to our visitors who helped!

Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NCV)

Eleven kits were assembled. Each includes: 36 Ezekiel blocks, 60 sashing rectangles and 25 cornerstones. By Saturday, March 3 they'll be returned to Hope Quilters, hopefully as quilt tops.

Many stacks of scraps and partially-sewn "chunks" of fabric remain to be sewn to make more Ezekiel blocks. How do these scraps manage to multiply!? Everyone is invited to return to the next Hope Quilter's Sewing Saturday, March 3, to continue sewing blocks.

It's a Quilt-a-Thon, and you're invited!

2012-01-11T13:22:00.002-06:00

Whether you know how to make a quilt or not, you're invited to a Quilt-a-Thon!

We're making quilt blocks, for quilts to give to Mercy Children's Center intensive care unit in Des Moines.

Friday, February 3, 1-9 pm

and

Saturday, February 4, 9 am-3 pm

Lutheran Church of Hope

925 Jordan Creek Parkway

West Des Moines, Iowa

Room 214

What We're Doing
What we're doing is taking piles of small cotton scraps, sewing them together randomly, and then cutting them into squares.

We'll sew blocks like this...

...and this...

...until we have a pile like this.

Then we'll add some of these...

...and a few of these....

...to make a 49" X 49" quilt!

We'll have sewing machines set up so you can stop by for a few minutes of sewing. Or bring your sewing machine along for a longer stay.

We'll have ironing boards and irons, so you can stop by for a few minutes, or hours, of fun pressing!

We'll have a sample of the finished quilt, and other examples of quilts you can make with these easy-to-sew blocks.

It's a No Excuses Quilt-a-Thon!

"I've never used a sewing machine."

No worries! Members of Hope Quilters will be there to show you what to do. No straight seam sewing is necessary!

"I've used a sewing machine and I don't want a thing to do with one!"

Well okay! You can help by pressing fabrics. We need people who will press fabrics before they're sewn into blocks and after blocks are sewn.

"I've sewn before, but I've never made a quilt."

Come, and just sew blocks. You don't need to make a whole quilt.... but if you'd like to know how to do that, we'd love to have you join Hope Quilters!

It's all been arranged. Now we just need you... and your friends.

This event is open to everyone interested in helping make quilts for Mercy Children's Center intensive care unit. Do come! No RSVP needed.

December Sewing Saturday

2011-12-10T15:42:00.001-06:00

Hope Quilters met December 9 and 10 at Lutheran Church of Hope, in room 214 to plan and sew together. Quilters-in-action captured in photos are:

Mary, who's cutting donated solid fabric that will be sewn into 48" X 48" baby quilts for Mercy Children's Center intensive care unit.

Norma, who's arranging Quarry Stone patches for a Mercy quilt.

First-time visitors, but long-time quilters, Sandy (L) and Jodi (R) jumped right in to begin arranging Quarry Stone patches for a Mercy quilt. It was great to have you join us and we all hope you come back again!

Michelle (L) and Suzanne (R), another newer Hope Quilter, are shown cutting squares for another undesignated donation quilt. Among the most recently donated fabrics, Michelle found an almost-finished jacket... and wore it the rest of the day! Cute.

Linda, searching for a particular fabric from the cart of fabric bins.

Rachel, who's been in Hope Quilters since January (and we're glad she is!) presses a solid fabric for a Mercy quilt.

Me - one of the four Linda's! - getting ready to fill the iron with water.

This Linda - AKA Lola - was overwhelmed with relief to finally finish putting together this quilt top, for an as-yet-to-be-designated donation quilt. Calculating setting triangles for an on-point quilt is hard work!

Missing from photos are Bug, Kaaren, Abigail and Crystal.

Thanks ladies for a productive day. It was a wonderful time!

Hope Quilters now anticipates a January 13, 14 and 15 retreat - yes, two nights! - to Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp in Story City, Iowa. (No snowstorms, please God.) This is the only occasion that Hope Quilters meets to spend time working on personal projects. So far, 14 quilters will retreat together. What fun!

Posted by Linda

December Meeting

2011-11-30T21:11:00.001-06:00

Just a reminder that Hope Quilters meets next
Saturday, December 10th, from 9 am to 3 pm. Come on
Friday, December 9th at 1:00 and help with set up then feel free to
stay and work on any personal projects. Saturday we will be going
through and sorting a fabric donation that Hope Quilters
received. We will also finish up the strip quilts that were
started in October and finish up any binding on the quilts that were quilted in
November.

Sewing Saturday - October

2011-10-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

Hope Quilters met on Friday afternoon and Saturday, October 14-15.

We determined that we have lots of quilt tops that need quilting! So, for our November meeting, we're going on a field trip to APQS, 8033 University Ave., Des Moines, to longarm quilt. APQS is generously allowing us to use their showroom longarm machines for our mission quilts. Even if you don't want to quilt, come to machine sew binding after the quilts are quilted.

We'll be longarm quilting on:

Friday November 4, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday November 5, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Everyone, please bring your sack lunch and drink, and hand sewing supplies.

For planning purposes, please RSVP by Sunday, October 30 to let us know which day(s) you'll be able to come. RSVP by commenting on this post.

Below are pictures from October's Saturday Sewing
Here, Linda B. and Michelle made decisions about borders for a Scrappity-Do-Dah quilt. See the Scrappity-Do-Dah tutorial here.

(L): Linda B. (R) Michelle

Linda B.

Two guests to our sewing day were Mary and Lorena from WHYLD. They've been learning to sew and make quilts with help from Linda D.

(L) Mary; (R) Linda D.

(L) Rachel; (R) Lorena

Hope Quilters welcomed a first-time visitor, Kristen. Do come again, Kristen!

(L) Mary; (R) Kristen

Linda L.

Linda L. and Linda H. work out measurements for setting triangles

Karaan

Disappearing Four-Patch

2011-10-14T18:22:00.000-05:00

As inspiration, check out this Disappearing Four-Patch quilt made using striped fabrics. Isn't it wonderful? This creation is the work of Beth, in California, who blogs at LoveLaughQuilt.

88" X 88"

Beth made her Four Patch block with four 6" X 6" squares. After sewing, cutting, rotating and resewing them, her unfinished block trimmed to 10" X 10".

You too can make Disappearing Four-Patch blocks to make a quilt like this. Our easy Hope Quilters tutorial here begins with 5" X 5" blocks, but construction is the same. This is a great way to use up leftover fabrics!

October Work Day

2011-10-11T09:27:00.001-05:00

Hope Quilters will meet Saturday, October 15th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 214. Set-up for the meeting is on Friday afternoon, 1:00 p.m.

the Whyld Girls from CFUM will be our guests, with HQers assisting them in finishing the quilts that werre started earlier this year.

A number of project ideas were suggested at the September meeting, including a block of the month; Mission navajo wall hanging; learning English paper piecing; Biblical quilt; continuous jelly roll quilt. There were quite a number of strips sewn together to make a large jelly roll quilt using the continuous sewing pattern.

There are several mission quilt tops ready to be quilted. Please let Mary Nichols know of your interest in quilting them.

Be sure to scroll down on the right side of this page for the future work day dates and get them on your calendar.

September Work Day

2011-09-12T09:22:00.004-05:00

Eleven Hope Quilters attended the September work day which begins the new year for our group. We worked on re-arranging our new storage area to make it more accessible for our needs as we pull out fabric bins and quilting tools. We then used some of our pre-cut 2 1/2 inch fabric strips to begin making "Continuous Jelly Roll" aka "Easy Peasy" quilts. Enough strips were sewn together to make at least one queen sized quilt and begin another with the left overs. Here is a link to one site which shows how to make this quilt - http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-45145-1.htm

There are several quilt tops ready to be quilted, bundled with backing, batting and binding. Members are encouraged to try their hand at long-arm quilting these mission quilts, several are designated for the 2012 Riverside and Okoboji Bible Camp quilt auctions next summer. There are also several quilts for other missions when requested or designated by the Missions Team at LCOH.

Thirteen people have signed up for the Hope Quilters Retreat in January. If you're interested in joining the group, please contact Linda Bergeson to reserve your spot.

Next month our guests will be the Whyld Girls from Childrens and Families Urban Ministries. HQ members will help them complete the quilts they began last spring.

Hope Quilters' Sister Quilters: St. Mark's Quilters

2011-09-10T21:09:00.000-05:00

Di Jobbins and Di Bracey are co-coordinators of St. Mark's Quilters in Sydney (specifically, Darling Point), Australia. Since a 2009 Stitchin' Mission at their church, this group has actively been making and giving away quilts. They're currently making Blankets of Love quilts for Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Newborn Care. These tiny quilts are given to families whose infant has not survived birth. To see all their Blankets of Love quilts go here and click on the "Blankets of Love" tab at the top.

Read about and see pictures of St. Mark's Quilters' Saturday, September 10 get-together. Check out the Disappearing Four Patch blocks they're making since seeing the tutorial on our Hope Quilters blog!

Di Bracey (right), teaches how to make Disappearing Four Patch blocks

Also see the quilt Sarah is making using a free Stitchin' Mission "Snowball Quilt" pattern here.

And They're Gone

2011-08-19T13:27:00.001-05:00

These quilts, made by Hope Quilters, are designated for tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri. The five quilts shown below, as well as 13 other quilts made by friends of Hope Quilters, were picked up today.

Edited Tuesday, Aug. 24 to add: Quilts made by Hope Quilters, friends of Hope Quilters, and quilters at Crossroads Methodist Church will be displayed on Sunday, August 28 during the church's 9:00 a.m. worship service in the Bondurant-Farrar Middle School Auditorium, 300 Garfield St. SW, Bondurant, Iowa, Everyone is invited to worship and see the quilts!

Donita, a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Bondurant, came to get them at Lutheran Church of Hope. Thank you Donita.

Joplin Quilt Update

2011-08-18T08:13:00.003-05:00

Eighteen quilts ranging in sizes from baby to adult that were made for the Joplin earthquake victims will soon be on their way to Missouri. They will be added to a group of 20 quilts made by Crossroads Methodist Church, Bondurant IA. Crossroads will display the 38 quilts during their worship service on August 28th, and then give them to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) who will take the quilts to tornado victims in Missouri or Alabama.

2011 Riverside Quilt Auction

2011-08-07T17:35:00.009-05:00

Praise God! The 2011 Riverside Quilt Auction was again a success.

"Architectural Gem," sold at auction for $600

"Green Pastures," sold at auction for $475

Here are two of the four quilts Hope Quilters sold at the Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp quilt auction on Saturday, August 6, 2011.

Finishing Joplin Quilts

2011-07-15T17:44:00.002-05:00

Four Hope Quilters finished three of the "Joplin quilt tops" on Friday, July 15th. Borders were added and backs were pieced. Two other backs were also completed for other quilts. These quilts are 70" x 88".

July 9th Work Day

2011-07-15T16:15:00.004-05:00

Three quilt tops were made using pre-cut fabrics of 6 1/2 inch blocks and 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch loaves. A fourth quilt top was partially constructed. These quilts are destined for Joplin, MO to go to those who lost so much in the tornado. We're coordinating with a Methodist Relief Agency who is taking supplies to Joplin in mid-August.

Quilt Projects Update

2011-06-11T14:10:00.001-05:00

Hope Quilters has completed current quilt project commitments. Anticipating the need for future quilts, we've decided to make "Scrappity-Do-Dah" blocks that can be sewn to make several quilts. These blocks are adapted from a free McCall's Quilting pattern.

To make Scrappity-Do-Dah blocks, 6-1/2" X 6-1/2" squares and 1-1/2"-wide strips are already cut, ready to be sewn into blocks. Feel free to help yourself to these prepared fabrics that can be found in the Hope Quilters closet in room 114. Refer to the tutorial HERE to make blocks. Thanks!

As well, Hope Quilters is continuing to cut fabrics to make "Disappearing Four-Patch" blocks. Again, 5" X 5" fabric squares are already cut and ready to sew. Help yourself to them - also in the HQ closet - and refer to the tutorial HERE to make blocks. Thank you again!

At the July 9 Hope Quilters Sewing Saturday, we will be sewing these blocks together to make quilt tops.

Disappearing Four-Patch Block Tutorial

2011-06-11T14:08:00.001-05:00

The latest iteration of a "Disappearing Nine-Patch" block is a "Disappearing Four-Patch." You'll find this one's just as easy to make, and turn into a fabulous scrap quilt.

Begin with an assortment of 5" x 5" squares - light and dark. Cut two of each print.

Use a scant quarter-inch seam to sew a Four-Patch block.

Press seam allowances to one side.

This block measures 9-1/2" X 9-1/2" unfinished.

Align a ruler 1-1/2" from the center seam. Cut across the block.

Your vertical cut will look like this, but do not move the pieces to separate them.

The sections are shown separated for clarification purposes only.

Repeat on the opposite side of the center seam, cutting 1-1/2" from the center seam.

Tip: If you do your rotary cutting on a small mat, you will be able to turn the mat to make the second cut. (Don't rotary cut at an awkward angle, or toward yourself.)

Your vertical cut will look like this, but again, do not separate these pieces.

The photo is for clarification purposes only.

Perpendicular to the first pair of cuts, (shown here as horizontal cuts) make a second pair of cuts 1-1/2" on both sides of the center seam. Do not move the pieces to separate them.

To make the Four-Patch "disappear," turn each of the four middle segments indicated by the arrows. (Compare this photo to the previous photo for clarification.) Sew to join these nine patches.

Press the middle seam allowances away from the center as shown in this photo of the back of the block.

Your unfinished Disappearing Four Patch block will measure 8-1/2" X 8-1/2" unfinished.

8-1/2" X 8-1/2" block, unfinished

Scrappity-Do-Dah Block Tutorial

2011-06-11T14:08:00.000-05:00

Using a free pattern sent by McCall's Quilting, Hope Quilters has adapted "Scrappity-Do-Dah" to make use of our bin of 6-1/2" x 6-1/2" "Quarry Stone" fabric squares.

A quilt made of Scrappity-Do-Dah blocks is an ideal way use up small - donated - pieces of fabric. Each finished block measures 6" X 6". For a quilt that measures 72" X 84" (no borders), make 168 blocks.

From both light and dark fabric prints cut 6-1/2" X 6-1/2" squares.

Make a diagonal cut from corner to corner.

Cut light and dark print, 1-1/2" wide fabric strips. A 10"-long strip is needed for each block.

Fold each triangle in half. Finger press at the center.

Using a scant quarter-inch seam, sew to join the 1-1/2" wide strip to the length of one triangle.

Sew the second triangle to the strip, aligning the finger-pressed folds.

Press seam allowances toward the center strip.

Use a 6-1/2" X 6-1/2" square ruler with a diagonal marking to trim the block to 6-1/2" X 6-1/2".

Make sure the ruler's diagonal line aligns with the center of the strip.

6-1/2" X 6-1/2" unfinished block

Even the ugliest scraps look great in a quilt like this!

And he's off!

2011-04-18T10:16:00.000-05:00

Hope member, and founder-missionary to Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage, Eric Idehen is pictured with six quilts he's taking to the orphanage in Ido City, Nigeria.

Eric Idehen, April 18, 2011

Thank you to every Hope Quilter who had a hand in making these quilts. Eric promises photos of the recipients with their quilts.

Have a safe and blessed trip, Eric.

Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage Quilt Display

2011-04-07T16:32:00.000-05:00

Now through Sunday, April 17, at Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, Iowa) in the "Jordan Creek Hallway," you can see six of the seven quilts that Hope Quilters made for Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage in Benin City, Nigeria.

Nanny's quilts

Each quilt is labeled with the individual's name, and the display includes a photo of the quilt recipient. Two nannies will also receive quilts.

Missionary and founder of Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage, Eric Idehen, will deliver quilts to Cornerstone on April 19.

This quilt, not on display, was taken to Cornerstone in January when baby Joseph was adopted by an American family.

February Sewing Day

2011-02-07T08:39:00.000-06:00

At our regular first-Saturday-of-the-month sewing day, Hope Quilters worked on a variety of mission quilt projects:

Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage

Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp auction

Bags for Breast Cancer Patients

Hospitality Quilts for several upcoming mission trips.

Click on each highlighted link to see pictures of finished projects.

Below: These blocks, string-pieced onto telephone book pages, (phone book papers are removed after string-piecing!) will be joined to make...

... a finished hospitality quilt like this, for Mission Navajo.

These 4-1/2" Ezekiel blocks are pieced from very small fabric bits. With sashing and cornerstones this quilt will be finished as a hospitality quilt for another Mission Navajo trip.

The next two photos are of quilt tops that have been made for beds at a mission center in Ghana. Most of the fabrics came from Ghana.

These are the first prototypes of quilts that have been requested. One of them will be taken to Ghana for feedback, and when the design and size have been agreed upon, Hope Quilters will make 24 of them.

The quilt below is one of two batik hospitality quilts that will be taken to South Africa in June, 2011.

"Fat Quarter Cool Breeze" 76" X 88"

With 15 Hope Quilters in attendance, and five Stitchin' Mission newbies who stopped by to drop off quilts, sew on a label, or get help finishing their quilts, it was a busy place!

Linda B. making 4-1/2" Ezekiel blocks from very small leftover fabrics

Erika with blocks for a Riverside Bible Camp quilt

Linda D.

Kim laying out blocks for a Riverside quilt

Norma, "dumpster diving" to salvage small fabric scraps for Ezekiel blocks

Michelle dives in to help

Rachel, a dependable presser

Linda H. and selvages she collecting from donated fabric

The next Hope Quilters meeting is another Saturday Sewing Day on March 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Whoever wishes may come on Friday, March 4 at 1:00 p.m. to help set-up... and then stay as long as you want for extra sewing time. That's more time to sew, and more time to spend in community!

January Sewing Day

2011-01-09T17:01:00.000-06:00

Our HQ girls have again met to share the love of Jesus Christ by remembering women who have breast cancer.

Fourteen quilters met Saturday, January 8 to sew tote bags that are given to members of Lutheran Church of Hope who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It's a small way to show a woman - we never know who she is - that we care, and pray for her. The tote is also practical because she can use it to carry personal items during her treatments.

Using fabrics donated to us, we developed somewhat of an assembly line process to make the bags. Quilters included:

Andrea and Crystal

Karaan and Michelle - Michelle demonstrated helpful bag-making instructions.

Linda B. - With FOUR "Lindas" in our group, nicknames are helpful. This Linda is also known as "Bug."

Norma - The camera is tilted; not Norma.

Rachel and Linda D. - No nickname for this Linda.

"Pressing" Susan

Linda, also known as Lola.

These bags were assembled, and are only missing a decorative button.

Several other in-progress totes were taken home for finishing, or are available to other HQers as a kit.

A completely finished tote.

When we sew together, we pull out a lot of tools and bins of supplies, and then spend considerable time cleaning up and putting away. As we work, we fill a bag with left over fabric, batting and thread bits that are donated to My Brother's Keeper, a Prairie City, Iowa, organization that uses them as stuffing to make pillows that are given to the homeless.

Below, Michelle, Norma and Bug are going through a scrap bag that has been dumped on the floor. They're searching for any accidentally tossed-away selvages.

They're salvaging for selvages!

Since they were doing so for me - another Linda, with no nickname - I can't tease them too much.

Thanks everyone for a fun day and a task well done.

November Sewing Saturday

2010-11-21T12:08:00.000-06:00

Twelve quilters - a true discipleship - met November 20 to work on mission quilts.

Linda D. and Janet, quilt for Ghana

Kim (shown) and Erika's quilt for a child at Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage, Nigeria

Linda L. and daughter Jenna organize Hope Quilters' fabric donations

Norma and Linda D. with fabric strips for Ghana quilts

Linda B. and Michelle with their quilt for a child at Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage, Nigeria

Sewing Saturdays in 2011 are:

January 8 - Work on tote bags for Lutheran Church of Hope's breast cancer patients
February 5 - Welcome new quilters from Stitchin' Mission; work on mission quilts.
March 5 -
April 2 -
May 7 -

A Sewing Saturday

2010-09-18T20:00:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, September 18, 2010, Hope Quilters met to sort, organize and cut fabrics for several mission projects.
Quilters pictured are: (kneeling) Linda Hungerford; (standing, L-R) "Weather Reporter Quilter" Linda Bergeson; Andrea Price; Mary Nichols, Linda Danielson; Karaan Vogel; Norma Hamilton and Michelle Tepley. Attending, but not pictured: Missy Godfrey; Erika Horstmann; Abigail Livingood; and Kim Ogle.