Yesterday, I read John Flynn’s blog post, New Piece of Quilt History, and thought, “The information has come to me!  Is this coincidence or what?”

John mentions reading Sheila Allan’s Diary of a Girl in Changi, about her experience as a civilian prisoner in the Japanese prison, Changi, during World War II.  One of the projects the Red Cross used to keep prisoners’ spirits up was a series of three quilts, the Changi Quilts. 

          They were “stitched by women on recycled rice bags,” mentions John.  “The [three]quilts were given to the Red Cross for the wounded  Australian, British, and Japanese soldiers.”

Whether the quilts made it to the prisoners is rather doubtful because they have survived and can be found in various displays.  See a picture of one of them here…. at the Australian War Memorial.  Both the Australian and Japanese quilts are displayed here.  The British one is in England.

Many of the women signed their blocks.  According to the song, these may have been messages to loved ones to let the men know the women were alive.  (Men and women generally were separated at these prisons.)

I’m anxious now to get Shelia Allan’s book and learn more about this episode in quilting history and WWII history.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting in a Japanese Prison

I discovered at his site a free quilt lesson and pattern for A Rag Quilt, Weed Wacker Style.  John has a unique method for fluffing the edges of the rag quilt pieces.  Check it out at www.flynnquilt.com/freepattern.html ) and learn how to create this easy-to-make quilt.

John also has a monthly give-away for a free book.  Simply register at the site. 

I enjoy visiting quilters’ web sites to learn about the books they’ve written, places where they’re appearing, the adventures they experience in their quilting life.  Many have pictures of their family and pets and the part of the country where they live.

Post from: Blisstree

Free Quilt Lesson & Pattern