Hearts of Hope: Making a Plan!

Sometimes I just jump in with both feet with no thought on how something is going to work out ahead of time.

Yesterday was one such day.

Remember when March 2020 hit and the world stopped?

And we didn't know what to do to keep ourselves from doom scrolling and feeling helpless?

I presented a mystery for our Unity Quilt, while I was sewing just one step ahead of everyone else - because I do crazy things on the fly like that.

I've been working hard and furious with these string hearts in the colors of the Ukrainian flag for nearly a week.  I still have several more to go, but I started thinking:

Would you like to make them with me?  Would you like to sew along step by step as I post directions for each part on my blog over the course of 4 to 6 weeks? 

(It all depends on what I decide to do with borders, and I'm not even there yet.)

Just like our Unity Quilt, we will work with one part at a time, you could use your stash for it or swap strips with friends to get enough yellow/blue/neutral. 

Even further - if your guild made blocks, and assembled the quilt together, they could raffle it off (Or call it a Donation Quilt - whatever your state laws recommend) and donate the proceeds to the Ukraine charity of their choice.  

I need a couple of weeks to get my top together so I can share it with you and you will know what we are doing.

Look for the first part to drop on Friday, March 25th with additional parts to go live each Friday until we are done.  I'm thinking there will be 4 to 6 parts.

I will have a basic introduction and supplies list ready here on the blog on March 18th, one week before we start Part One.

Other optional things that may be helpful to you:

My Essential Triangle Tool.

Simple Folded Corners ruler or Simple Folded Corners Mini

If you have participated in my mysteries before, you may already have these on hand.

As with our previous mysteries, I will be giving unit sizes in finished and unfinished dimensions so you can choose your own favorite method to make them. 

You will also need some sort of foundation paper, either phone book, financial prospectus, doodle pad, coloring book, newsprint - something close to 8 1/2'' X 11'' works best for the amount of unit yield per page. You can also use designated foundation paper piecing paper, as in the Carol Doak Paper.

Each part will also include a link to a different reputable charity benefiting Ukraine that you can donate directly to.

Even if you don't donate, you can participate in making blocks to become a group quilt with your own group to benefit where proceeds are most needed.

Thank you for understanding that pulling something like this together on the fly takes a bit of time so we can't start today.  You can. however, start combing through your scraps and pulling your blues, yellows and neutrals together.

The block pattern (or block sizes) will NOT be given ahead of time (My quilt isn't finished yet, and the quilt comes before patterns and instructions do - I have to write it all and do all of the step-out photos and graphics. Patience please!)

What you CAN do to help is to share this post with your social media outlets and news feeds.  Let your guild and bee groups know that this is starting on March 25th with yardage requirements and more info coming March 18th.  The more that can join us the merrier.

You can start to promote your fabric pulls on social media using the hashtags #quiltville and #heartsofhopequilt and #quiltersstandforukraine.

What you decide to do with your blocks/quilt is up to you.  I do know that Lutheran World Relief is accepting quilts and sending them to be distributed to refugees, and if you want to donate there, they can get your quilt to where it is needed.

If you are in a country where Ukrainian refugees are being housed and cared for, perhaps you'd like to donate your quilt to an organization there, or directly to a family who has left everything behind and needs to start over.

I just know we all feel a need to do SOMETHING.  And this is something we can do.

I'm not asking for suggestions on how anyone else would run this.  I'm not asking for your thoughts on charities to or to not donate to.  Everyone needs to go their own way on this when it comes to that part.  

But the making of the blocks?  That is something we CAN do TOGETHER.

Quiltvillians on a road hike!

Things to notice about this photo?  NO COATS!  It reached 67 here yesterday, and several of us took a good long leg stretch up Roundhouse Road.

The Quiltvillians are busy retreating and having a ball - more on that to come.

Go pull those blues and yellows and help me get the word out!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Life is a lot like the safety demonstration on an airplane. You have to adjust your own oxygen mask before you can help others.

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Start with you!

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Garden Party quilt made by my friend Irene. Pattern from the Addicted to Scraps book.

Have a wonderful Friday, friends!