Mark Your Calendar to celebrate NATIONAL QUILTING DAY on Saturday, March 21, 2020.
The History of National Quilting Day
In 1989, the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society organized a “Quilters’ Day Out” on the third Saturday of March to celebrate the rich tradition of quiltmaking in Kentucky. In 1991, National Quilting Association officers were so enthused with the concept and success of “Quilters’ Day Out” that they voted to take it to a national level.
The first National Quilting Day was observed in 1992 and since then it has grown into a global celebration for all quiltmakers and quilt lovers. Helen Storbeck, one of the founders of National Quilting Day, wrote in The Quilting Quarterly, “Groups of quilters were encouraged to hold special events, publishers and shop owners were invited to sponsor promotions especially for quilters and it quickly became a grassroots endeavor with quilters in every part of the country participating. In the first year of National Quilting Day, quilters in other countries asked to participate. They were welcomed with open arms. As our feelings of a community network has evolved to include a world community, it is only appropriate that quilters and quilt lovers everywhere united to give recognition to the special art form.”
From their website: We would love to hear how you plan to mark this year’s 28th anniversary of National Quilting Day (or what you’ve done in the past). Post your photos on the National Quilting Day Facebook page.
Make A Quilt for a New Kid In Town: This year, we are excited to rekindle a project founded by the National Quilting Association – Happy Birth Day, Baby! Individuals and groups are welcome to participate – it’s easy! Make a quilt for the first baby born on National Quilting Day in your local hospital. Find our free downloadable pattern and instructions and full details here.
Document Your Quilts: This National Quilting Day, we encourage you to document your quilts. Add those labels you’ve been putting off! Interview a family member or friend as part of our Go Tell It! project. Or have a documentation day at your group or guild.
Download a FREE Pattern to Celebrate National Quilting Day! Click on a partner’s name below to view their free downloadable patterns and projects: Moda Fabrics Aurifil eQuilter.com Handi Quilter AccuQuilt StudioE Fabrics Henry Glass & Co. Windham Fabrics Make It Simpler Indygo Junction by Amy Barickman
There are some lovely quilt patterns that have been shared above. What pattern will you choose for your National Quilt Day project?
Last month, I found SewCANShe.com's Blueberry Pie - a log cabin variation pattern. Different blocks are sewn together using the fast and easy log cabin method. The pattern is free, but I purchased the optimized for printing, PDF version.
I will use this pattern for my National Quilt Day project. Blueberry Pie is two-toned. Designer Caroline says "of course, I could make them into lemon, raspberry, or chocolate pies, just as easy, lol."
My quilt will also be two-toned but with a colorful mix of light and dark patterned prints. I will use fabrics from my stash with hopes that the finished quilt will resemble Blueberry Pie's inspired look. And, what better way to celebrate National Quilting Day than by also learning a new technique.
I am posting this a few days early. One reason is to give me time to cut all of my fabric into strips. The second reason is to invite my quilting friends to join with me on the National Quilting Day project challenge. Even if we aren't able to sew and quilt together in one place, we'll be working on our projects . . . together on March 21st. Are you with me?
For those that don't quilt, did you know that March is National Craft Month?! Stampington & Company is hosting fun crafting challenges, giveaways and more! Share your artwork by participating in the festivities listed on their blog.
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