The prayer quilt ministry at my church was begun last Sunday with 3 quilts. The congregation was very receptive to this new ministry and willingly participated in the tying of them and praying over them. After the service, I received requests for prayer quilts for other congregation members. So I am busy making more.
I have several fat quarter packs that have been waiting to be made into quilts so I chose to use the Yellow Brick Road pattern. The pattern's 4 block x 5 block quilt requires 6 fat quarters--perfect, for that's what my fat quarter packs contain!
The pattern is quite simple...one is directed to cut the fat quarters into strips of 2 different sizes. These strips are then sewn together "in a variety of combinations", cut apart and then sewn again "in a variety of combinations". With only 6 fabrics, there is a limit to the "variety of combinations" one can make. :)
When the blocks are all created (3 different designs), one is told to "arrange the blocks in a random order, turning the blocks as needed so that color placement is pleasing and seams are offset (if possible)." The main thing I try to accomplish when laying out the blocks is to avoid having the same fabric next to itself--not always possible! And after trying several different layouts with this first group of blocks, I found that it was impossible to have all of the seams offset, so I stopped worrying about that, too!
Many of my quilting friends make quilts for charity. I've heard some of them comment that one doesn't really have to be so fussy with charity quilts--the recipients will love them no matter the size, design, etc. I, for one, certainly hope so. And I hope that they can feel that these quilts are made from the ❤. :)
