Monday 1 July 2013

Circle of Friends

There is something in the quilting DNA I think. To love chatting to other quilters, making friends with them in the process and to want to do something if anyone is going through a tough time.

One of my close bloggy and real life friends was experiencing a crap time of it this spring. So we quilting friends did what quilting friends do, and we made her a quilt. Well for her and her man really. So we picked a block, all made some. They were posted to me and I knocked together a quilt. It was my 'secret project' that I spoke about on occasion. You may recognise this -


Well our friend has received the quilt. She likes it. Phew! And she said I could show all of you now that we have surprised her.

So may I introduce you to Circle of Friends. We liked this name for the quilt for the obvious reason, and because it is also the name of a book by Maeve Binchy, an Irish writer which was appropriate seeing as how Cindy lives in Ireland.


And here is the circle of friends who were involved in making this quilt. It was a real collaborative effort as people didn't just make blocks - someone donated the backing and someone else the wadding. Everyone added in some extra fabric for the binding. This was true teamwork and friendship in action from all these beautiful ladies.

I embroidered the siggie strip I on the back.
Sarah O, Sarah F, Rhonda
Nicky, Lucy, Leanne
Kat, Judith, Helen
Hadley, Emily, Annabella
I had this block pinned on Pinterest for a while and it was a good one for everyone to be able to reach into their scrap bag and make some blocks with whatever fabric came to mind, or that they thought reflected themselves. Which is cool because even in the short that Cindy had looked at the quilt when she phoned me she said she could already identify some blocks to certain individuals.


I quilted it in a continuous circle. I didn't think there was a more appropriate way of doing it really. I only swore for the first few rounds and shall skip showing any close ups of that centre, but it is a really easy way to quilt once you get past that initial headache really.


The backing was a colourful sheet of hearts, and I added on a strip of Kona white to the bottom and embroidered everyone's names there, as well as who the quilt was for. How's that for a proper label for a change?!


As a bonus there were four extra blocks that I turned into a cushion to go with the quilt. A nice big one at that. I backed this with some of the green corduroy that I had leftover from a previous project. I must get more of this. I really, really love it.


This was a real group effort that I was thrilled to be a part of, and happy to put a smile on the face of a friend who just needed lifting up a little. Being able to give back in friendship when so much is given to me from so many of you all is a really nice feeling. So here is to our much larger group of friends who have met through this online world. Glad to be one of you.


Susan

65 comments:

  1. Susan! You have me in tears for a second time today! Good tears, clearly. Ladies, I am so grateful to have you all as my friends. Thank you. You've warmed our home...and totally impressed Brian! Thank you. I'm humbled by how brilliant each and every one of you is and how luck I am to have you as my friends. xx

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  2. Fabulous quilt! So pretty.

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  3. Aaw, what sweethearts!!

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  4. Gorgeous quilt and such as completely lovely thing to do

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  5. quilt = love
    What a fantastic story.

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  6. What a fabulous quilt and friendships! You all are lucky to have one another!

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  7. beautiful quilt for a beautiful person. Nicely done ladies!

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  8. Beautiful quilt!, well done girls for the quilt and for keeping your friendship alive!.

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  9. You lot are amazing! Great effort and beautiful, thoughtful quilt.

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  10. What an amazing gift , made with love from a wonderful circle of ladies.

    I think that circular quilting looks fantastic (despite any stress it caused while doing it )

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  11. What a fabulous group of women you are. I would love to have friends like you. A beautiful quilt which must make Cindy feel so loved and comforted.

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  12. You did an incredibly job Susan! The quilting and stitching is amazing. I'm proud to be a little part of it xx

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  13. You are such a good person. Great quilt.

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  14. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

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  15. Lovely pics my friend! I just love being a part of this amazing quilting community! Jxo

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  16. Fabulous quilt, and a great story behind it's making. Well done.

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  17. Fantastic! What a great bunch of friends for Cindy. Am sure it gives her a special hug of love.

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  18. This is like food for the soul. What a wonderfully nice thing for you and your friends to do for them....and the quilt is stunning susan....great job on your quilting too.

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  19. I see my blocks, I see my blocks :)

    So honoured to be part of this! And you my friend are amazing!! This project wouldn't have happened without you. Xx

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  20. I am so glad to have been a part of this wonderful quilt. And here is to you Susan, you organized and assembled and quilted and embroidered that proper label. Thank you too for all that and for being a good friend to Cindy and to all of us.

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  21. Beautiful and such a sweet touch you added with the embroidery, very nice.

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  22. It's a beautiful quilt for a lovely lady. I don't know what Cindy has been going through but I have kept her in my prayers.
    I loved the book and movie Circle of Friends and this is a perfect name for this quilt.

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  23. This quilt made me swoon. The sentiment behind it makes it all that much more special. I'm so glad you shared it with us :)

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  24. Oh that is fantastic!!!

    I never realised Cindy was having abad time, she hides it very well.

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  25. Such a thoughtful design, by a bunch of lovely people. I like how Cindy could identify each of the blocks. The yellow circle looks like a sunshine to me.

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  26. Such a beautiful and truly thoughtful quilt for Cindy!

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  27. The quilt is like a rainbow to bring a smile whenever you look at it. What a wonderful show of support to a friend who needed it! Another example of quilters' generosity and friendship, it's fantastic!

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  28. What a wonderful quilt, and a wonderful idea. Well done all of you.

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  29. Oh what a brilliant idea! Fabulous quilt and cushion. No wonder Cindy cried!

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  30. Hurray!!! What a wonderful post - thanks, Susan xxx

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  31. That is so lovely, i'm fighting back the tears as it's such a lovely thing to do, no wonder Cindy is so delighted, what a wonderful circle of friends. :o)

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  32. That is such a lovely gift - truly "handmade with love".

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  33. It's a beautiful quilt and clearly already much loved. Well done all of you that helped make it.

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  34. It's a really beautiful quilt, you guys are amazing friends! I love the block you used and the heart print for the backing. :o)

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  35. It just goes to show what a huge difference a small (!!)act of kindness can make to someone. What a loving generous group of women you are. I'm humbled to know you all, albeit through blogland and not in person.xx

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  36. awwww, bless you all! What a lovely gift xxxx

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  37. That is so lovely (both the quilt and the story). You made me cry!

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  38. Thanks for sharing the details! I saw the "received" post earlier today and had added this block to my "must find" (and make) list.

    So fun, and such a beautiful gift.

    Sarah

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  39. What a wonderful thing to do. This really is such a special quilting community :-)

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  40. you are amazing! you can be very proud. you all made such a beautiful quilt. stunning

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  41. What a beautiful quilt and I just love that block - first time seeing it and have it saved already. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  42. It's so lovely, Cindy is so lucky to have such a great circle of friends.

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  43. This quilt is so beautiful and you are the best friends! I do hope Cindy has passed the difficult time.

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  44. Fab job Susan, it turned out just amazing! I'm so pleased I could be part of it, thanks for organising and all your work. Love how the quilting turned out.

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  45. Oh, that is such a beautiful gift - in thought and excecution! You are so kind, Susan!

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  46. Clearly I don't need to tell you how amazing this is... I'm in tears reading this and am so glad to *know* you ladies. It is so indicative of our amazing community! xo B

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  47. Such a nice thing to do! It's a lovely design and I can see Cindy is overwhelmed with your thoughtfulness. What great friends you make in this electronic world.

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  48. Wonderful! wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. What a blessing our friends are.

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  49. Fabulous quilt, well done all of you.x

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  50. Fabulous quilt, well done all of you.x

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  51. Adorable quilt. What size are the blocks?

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  52. Oh this is so beautiful in every way ! What an amazing quilt story xx can only imagine what it must mean to you all

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  53. Love this quilt on many levels. Great friends make anybody's day way to go girls. Can you share this pattern? Love and peace to all, Monica

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  54. Love the quilt, the reason, the friendships!

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  55. Que alegría encontrar hoy esta colcha, su nombre es extraordinario, felicitaciones a las amigas involucradas en su creación, es un verdadero regalo de amor incondicional. Me uno a estas bellas mujeres creadoras del edredón Círculo de Amigos.

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  56. Que alegría encontrar hoy esta colcha, su nombre es extraordinario, felicitaciones a las amigas involucradas en su creación, es un verdadero regalo de amor incondicional. Me uno a estas bellas mujeres creadoras del edredón Círculo de Amigos.

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  57. Circle Of Friends...love this quilt...Do you have a tutorial on it.
    email terrie@embarqmail.com

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