A variety of quilts donated in early July

Look at this gorgeous batik top! Isn't it a stunner? This sophisticated top is a little larger than most we receive, making it ideal for a teenager. Thank you so much to the quilter who donated it!
The Linus committee also completed another string quilt at our worknight. Check for the heartstrings pattern link in the sidebar if you want to make one of these yourself. They are fun to make with your scraps.
The next two quilts are from easy squares kits. Judy G. has been cutting kits for us -- thank you, Judy! Collen J. put this kit together and quilted it, too.
I don't know who assembled this top, but thank you!
This top was pieced by a local quilter and donated to Project Linus to finish.
Here it is (the color is better in this photo) with the red dotted fabric and blue star binding showing.
Here's a photo of one of FOUR (!!!!) completed tops made from our guild block. Each one looks different, as every block uses different fabrics. These are very fun I Spy quilts for little kids.
And many thanks to Joe F., who is learning to use his longarm machine by quilting many of our donated tops.

Quilts from kits

Recently we've been making Quick Strippie quilts using donated fabrics and Mary's pattern. Cute aren't they? And SO EASY AND FAST!! This one has racing cars as the focus fabric.
And here are two more quilts made from blocks made by guild members. These are like I Spy quilts for little kids. Thanks to everyone who donated blocks and helped put these quilts together.


This is an animal themed kit using the Easy Attic Windows pattern -- instead of a y-seam in the window blocks, there's a half-square triangle in the corner. Easy, cute, fun!

Even kids can help!

At our last guild quilt show, Jennifer R. set up a Children's Corner where kids (and even grownups!) could color a block for Project Linus quilts. Here is the first quilt we've put together using those blocks. Thanks so much to Jennifer for doing this, and to Diane D. for piecing the top.
Here are two more quilts put together using our guild block. They are like I Spy quilts for kids. The blocks are simple to put together, and one of our guild members had her 7-yr-old granddaughter helping. Way to go, Debbie L.!

More quilts donated!

Some months ago we asked guild members to contribute a particular style of block made from their child-friendly scraps, and the response was tremendous! (Click here for the pattern.)
You'll see more blankets made from these blocks as they are finished being quilted and bound. Stitchers who participated in our February Make A Blanket Day pieced 9 or 10 tops using this pattern.

We just completed another heartstrings quilt. Because we piece them on muslin, we back them only with flannel or they get very heavy. This one has some wonderful quilting by Joe -- click on the photo to enlarge it so you can see it better. You could spend a long time checking out all the different fabrics, too.
Marion R. has made another embroidered block quilt. The overall photo didn't come out well, but here's a closeup of one of the blocks. Each block featured a child from another part of the world wearing traditional dress. As always, it's great quilt!
We also received several quilts based on squares (what a wonderful way to use up scraps!). This is an Easy Squares quilt made from one of the kits the Linus committee makes.
Here's another squares quilt.
And this is a rail fence made from donated fabric. It's a very cuddly quilt!
Thank you to all the guild and community members who have helped make these quilts. Often so many people contribute to making a single quilt that I don't know who all was involved and cannot thank them individually -- but know that they are very much appreciated!

Instructions for the Guild Block

Now it's really quick and easy to make something for Project Linus! Guild members can use this pattern to whip up the following block in no time using leftover bits of fabric from your projects. It's based on 2 1/2" strips (jelly roll size). Bring the blocks to any guild meeting, and Linus Committee members will assemble them into quilts. Thanks so much!

Unfinished block size: 6-1/2” x 9-1/2”

Cut the following
Outside color:
cut 2 rectangles: 9-1/2” x 2-1/2”
cut 2 squares: 2-1/2” x 2-1/2”

Contrast color:
cut 1 rectangle: 5-1/2” x 2-1/2”

Sew one 2-1/2” square to each end of the small rectangle.
Next sew one large rectangle to the top and one large rectangle to the bottom. You’re finished!

You can also make 4 blocks at once if you prefer. Here are the instructions:

Cut the following
Outside color (A):
Cut 2 2-1/2” strips by width of fabric (WOF)
Cut 1 20” x 2-1/2” strip
Subcut this 20” strip into 2 2-1/2” squares and 3 5”x2-1/2” rectangles
Contrast color (B):
Cut 1 22” x 2-1/2” strip and subcut this into 4 5-1/2” x 2-1/2” rectangles

Assemble into a long strip starting with 2-1/2” A, next alternate 5-1/2”B pieces and 5”A pieces, ending with a 2 1/2” A. See picture below:
Next sew the 2 WOF strips to the top and to the bottom of the long strip you just made.
Subcut into 4 9-1/2” blocks. Be sure to even the ends and check your ruler as you go to keep the blocks squared up to the right measurements.
You're finished! Don't they look great?
A word on fabric choices
We ask that you use bright, kid-friendly fabrics. The kids who receive these quilts need love and cheer. Not everything has to be for little children, however, as teens also receive blankets from Project Linus. We will try to match the tone of blocks we receive to make blankets for different ages. But please, be sure the blocks are cheerful!