Throughout the years, quilts and crafts have been used to raise funds for many causes.  This is a way quilters and crafters can come together and use their talents to create a piece of art for a worthy effort.

Quilts for Fund Raising - Image: sxc.hu

Some of these fund raisers include:

• Raffles
• Auctions
• Bond drives
• Silent auctions
• Craft fairs

In the article, Quilts on display tell history of Sarnia-Lambton, I learned about the “signature quilts” made by quilting groups to raise money for bond drives during World Wars I and II.  For these fund raising efforts, local residents paid to have their names stitched in the quilts.

It was interesting to learn that the curator of a  museum, where one of these quilts was displayed, found the name of his own relative.

What fund raising efforts have you participated in involving quilts or other crafts?

Creating family history quilts takes many forms.  These have become popular for preserving memories, pictures, fabric and memorabilia.

Reproducing family photos on fabric, generally with the computer and printer nowadays, although some people still like to make sun prints and similar applications.

Gathering fabrics used in clothing worn by family members, either from many or just one person.  Among these are t-shirts that appeal to a particular family member.

Using designs that connect with a person’s interest, hobby or occupation.  My daughter made a quilt for her young son with blocks of different trucks during his truck stage.

Tracing each family member’s hand and appliquing it to a quilt.  Each person might sign his/her hand.  My daughter did this for her family and added birth dates to the hands.

For a wall quilt, attach three dimensional objects associated with the person or family’s life.

What do you do for family memory quilts?

(Personal History image at Amazon)

Recently I read, in the McKenzie River Reflections (Oregon) about 5th grade students, who raised $1,300 with a Sunflower quilt they made to benefit the McKenzie Outdoor School.

Image: sxc.hu

Although the photo wasn’t in color, the sunflower designs looked lovely and very individual.

Sunflowers seem to be a theme in other schools this year.  In New Hampshire, students planted sunflowers on the front lawn to beautify their school and to promote its “green” theme.

In browsing through my quilting books, I’ve come across three patterns with the sunflower’s name.  Do you know of any more?

• Kansas Sunflower
• Sunflower
• Basket of Sunflowers

Do you ever use a sunflower theme in your crafts?

(My“Country Kitchen” column appears in the print edition of River Reflections. I’ll be writing about sunflowers there soon.)

“How did you get started writing about quilts?” I’m frequently asked by readers of my quilting articles, blogs and my book, The Magic of Patchwork.

Since I’m a writer by profession, as well as quiltmaker interested in quilt history, it seemed natural to combine these interests.  I first began mentioning quilts, patchwork items, and crafts in my weekly newspaper column, “Country Kitchen.” From there, I decided to find other outlets for my writing about these topics.

Image: sxc.hu

When I was involved in a home-based quiltmaking business, I approached a magazine about writing on the business aspects.  This lasted for eight years until the magazine was discontinued.  Then I wrote a business column for another quilting magazine for two years.

Researching these columns opened up the door for interviewing quiltmakers, attending shows, and writing about them for the magazines.  I often wrote about quilt related topics other than for my columns.

From this evolved my book, The Magic of Patchwork, talks to quilt groups and historical societies, teaching classes, and eventually blogging about quilts and crafts.

Whether you desire to write about quiltmaking or some other craft, start keeping a journal of thoughts and projects that come to mind.  Make notes about topics to include in articles, blogging posts, and columns.

Start your blog about the topic you desire to cover. You never know where this might lead you in the writing field if you stay alert for opportunities.

For an American history project at school, my granddaughter Kara decided upon a Civil War era quilt.  She researched the quilts made at that time and the quilters.  Browsing through her mom’s and my quilt books, she discovered fabrics those quilters used.

Image: Kara Mastin

When a quilting friend heard about Kara’s project, she went through her stash and came up with reproduction fabrics and patterns used at that time.  The resulting quilt was large, but worth the effort Kara put into it.

She uses it for her bed and plans to take it to college with her.  Yes, she got an A+ on the project!

(At Meandering Threads, see more information about Kara’s Civil War quilt and one she made as a gift for her music teacher , who retired.)

Photo by Kara Mastin

When discussing Cotton vs. Polyester Fabrics for quilts and fabric art, I’ve had readers ask me, “Where do I find polyester fabric.  Most of the stores carry only cotton.”

My daughter verified that it has become more difficult to find fabric other than 100% cotton in many of the quilt fabric shops and even the general fabric stores.

Nancy asks:  I want to do quilts with a poly cotton blend of fabric, not 100 percent cotton.  Where do I buy it from online stores?  I live in London, Ontario Canada.

Sandra commented:  All the fabric stores carry mostly all cotton. If they do carry a poly/cotton blend, the fabrics are not to my liking. Where can I go to get more diversity?

Does anyone have suggestions where to find online and other stores that tend to carry fabrics in additon to 100% cotton?

My post, Cotton vs. Polyester Blend in Quiltmaking, has drawn quite a few comments since it was written.  I’ve enjoyed the various opinions quilters and fabric artists have expressed.

Image: sxc.hu

The early quilters used mainly cotton, wool or linsey-woolsey fabrics because that’s what was available.  In the latter part of the 1900s, polyester and poly/cotton fabrics became available and were popular.  However, the traditional quilters looked with horror upon this new innovation and felt to be a “purist,” you must use solely cotton.

Many quilters still prefer cotton, so much so that it’s difficult to find in some quilt fabric stores, I’ve been told.  Others like a combination and still others prefer simply poly/cotton fabrics for their work.

Here are some comments I received:

Cyndi says: The more options, the better! Bring it on!  Seriously though, although I tend to prefer pure cotton (many of my fabrics are plain muslin that I paint or dye), I love variety. I agree with your assessment that cotton was used because that’s what was available. Now, however…

According to Gina: I made a quilt with the theme being the very beautiful colors that appear in the high desert behind the Sandias in New Mexico in the late summer and early fall. To find the colors I needed, I had to use synthetic blends. I think one should be free to use whatever is needed, but I would also say that some synthetics tend to fray more than the pure cotton. Watch out for some that also will not stand up to wear as well as neighboring pieces.

What has been your experience with various fabrics?  Do you have any preferences?

When I wrote about making a quilt from vintage hankies, Beth (one of my readers) responded and shared her Butterfly Quilt using folded hankies.

Image: sxc.hu

“You use pretty hankies, shape them as butterflies, and applique,” she said.

Then Beth gave the directions, with pattern, at her Studio Beth web site.   Also, you can view a finished Butterfly Hanky Quilt Top at Beth’s site.

Do you have any ideas to share about Hanky Quilts or other crafts using this fabric?

When I was growing up, the well-dressed lady or girl always carried a handkerchief (hankie) with her…in her purse or pocket.  These might be floral, solid colors  or simply white.  Many were made of light weight fabric.

Image: sxc.hu

Often they were considered as decorative accents to one’s outfit, and we carried a heavier, more utilitarian handkerchief for actual use.

Nowadays, vintage hankies are sought by many collectors.  Sometimes they’re simply to collect.  But other times they’re used for art in mixed media, fabric collages, and even quilts.

What an interesting concept in the photo above, making an art quilt from vintage hankies.  I’ll have to see what hankies I still have around and perhaps do something like this with them.

Batik fabrics have particular appeal to quilters and fabric artists.  My daughter seeks them out in stores and even dyes some of her own.

These unique fabrics have been around for about 2000 years and generally are made in the Far East.  Indonesia is particularly noted for its hand dyed batiks, with each bolt of fabric slightly different from another.

Quilters and fabric artists who like to experiment with new styles and patterns are especially fond of batiks.  Many, like my daughter, enjoy creating their own.

Some more information on batiks:

Batik Fabrics for Your Quilts

Batik

All About Batik Fabric