Stitchin' Mission #19 in Australia

I couldn't be more excited! Stitchin' Mission is going international!

As many of you know, our daughter lives in Sydney, Australia, and I've had the pleasure of visiting that beautiful country on two occasions. In October I will return to meet my new grandson, staying in Sydney for a little more than five weeks.

Knowing I was returning, Di Jobbins, a quilter I met last April, extended an invitation to lead a Stitchin' Mission at St. Mark's Anglican Church where her husband is rector. So after much prayer, l-o-n-g distance planning - and did I mention, prayer? - Stitchin' Mission #19 will begin Sunday, October 25 with the mission of making at least 60 quilts for the Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre.

As we've walked through making plans, God has been holding our hands.

At St. Mark's on Sunday morning, Di announced Stitchin' Mission.

She (on the left) and her co-coordinator, Di Bracey (believe it or not, not all Australian women are named Di!), were then available to answer Stitchin' Mission questions and accept registrations at their beautifully prepared display table.

Their attractive display included some of the eight quilts they've already made.

See the quilts at the end of the aisle in this beautiful sandstone church built in 1852.

I can't wait to share quiltmaking with you! Remember, Stitchin' Mission beginner quiltmaking lessons are free.

So, if you're an Aussie and would like to participate, please register here. Sign up if you want to learn how to make a quilt from start to finish. And, if you live in the Sydney area and would like to help newbies learn quiltmaking, register.

Visit the Stitchin' Mission website for answers to frequently-asked questions.

If you live in the US, register for Stitchin' Mission #18 in Johnston, Iowa, that begins Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m.

God bless us every one.

Two Quilt Tops Made!

...for Australia Bush Fire Relief.

Today, a group of quilters representing six Des Moines area churches spent nearly six hours making 160 string-pieced blocks into quilt tops. Blocks had been previously sewn at home by 19 quilters who donated them to this effort to make quilts for Australian Bush Fire Relief.

(Refer at right to the Stringing Colors Tutorial to see how blocks were made, and visit the link to Oz Comfort Quilts to learn more about this quiltmaking effort.)

Today's quilters are (standing, L-R): Deb, Ann, Lu, Deb, and Vivian

(kneeling/sitting, L-R): Linda, Joyce, Shirley, Norma, and Sherry (not shown, Barb)

Behind these dedicated quilters are two quilt tops, each 64" wide by 80" long.

Everyone enjoyed playing with the blocks, experimenting with different arrangements.

Deb, Sherry, Vivian, and Ann

Ann, Deb, and Shirley

Barb, Joyce, and Lu

Norma

Vivian

Sherry

A concentrated team decision-making effort by Barb, Deb, Deb, Vivian, and Lu.

Sew-ers Norma and Shirley

And Deb

Barb

Afternoon "work supervisors" Joyce and Ann.

We're feeling very satisfied with our efforts thus far. Thank you to everyone who sewed blocks, especially Michelle who went way beyond the six blocks requested from each person.

Next, the quilt tops will be longarm quilted. We anticipate another get-together - a September Binding Bee - to finish the quilts.

Thanks for everyone's support!

Change for SM #18

Due to low registration for a daytime Stitchin' Mission at Johnston Evangelical Free Church, today we decided to make it an evening series for those people who have expressed interest in participating, but work full time.

Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. on the same dates: Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, and Oct. 1

Now, even more, we're depending on God and each of you to fill up the room we'll be using! Nine days remain to get on the phone or send an email with a link to www.StitchinMission.org to invite friends, co-workers, and relatives! Everyone is welcome, whether you've never sewn before, whether you don't attend a church, or whether you want to make a quilt for yourself.

This is your free opportunity to learn how to make a quilt, or if you've quilted for a while, to pick up some tips (every quilter can learn something from another quilter), and best of all... make quilts for children who need them.

If you want to know more about the Stitchin'

Mission quiltmaking ministry, visit the website.

Take a look at the faces of all the happy people (above, SM #11 at Berean Assembly of God; and below, SM#12 at Living Faith Lutheran Church) who've been in a Stitchin' Mission.

Take a look at the world map of where all the quilts have gone, and join with us to make this another fun and successful Stitchin' Mission.

Send me your questions, comments, or registration. I can't wait to hear from you!

About Beyond Stitchin' Mission

For those of you who were interested in and supportive of Beyond Stitchin' Mission lessons in my home, thank you! These classes will not be held due to the low amount of interest. Still, it was worth the effort to get to plan and anticipate the classes, and especially to get to know a few of you better. Your encouragement was wonderful. Thank you!

We're still making plans to be in community with activities related to quiltmaking. I hope you will consider joining us for the Stringing Colors Sewing Day on Saturday, August 29 at West Des Moines, United Methodist Church. Shoot me an email to let me know you're coming.

Also, SM18 starts Thursday morning, September 3. Newbies and Rebekahs are needed, so invite your friends to join us at Johnston Evangelical Free Church. Register here.

Has anyone made a quilt to donate? Send me a photo and I'll share it here.

And, as always, feel free to send me your quiltmaking questions. I'll do my best to answer them, and post them here so everyone can learn together.

Thank you always for your support. We're better together!

Another Stitchin' Mission!

After many inquiries about when and where the next Stitchin' Mission will be, numerous phone calls, and lots of prayer, Stitchin' Mission #18 is scheduled!

Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. (Yes! Morning classes!)

September 3, 10, 17, 24 and October 1

Johnston Evangelical Free Church

9901 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston, Iowa

The church has selected Mission Romania as the recipients of these babys quilts. Though participants are strongly encouraged to donate their quilts, as always, it's not an obligation. Quiltmaking lessons are free, so if a participant chooses not to donate a quilt, I ask that sometime in the future she (or he) will make and donate a quilt, or some other tangible donation, to a mission. A sort of pay-back, if you will.

I can't believe that this will be SM #18! I didn't start counting until #4, and actually kidded with friends about someday reaching double digits! Little did I know God's plan for all this. He always thinks bigger than I do.

May God's vision for your life be big too!

Beyond Stitchin' Mission Classes Available

Thanks to input from a number of you, a schedule is posted on the Stitchin' Mission website for Beyond Stitchin' Mission classes. These are lessons for anyone who has made a quilt and wants to learn more. Classes for up to six students will be in August, September and October.

Some of the classes are: t-shirt quilt, "Turning Twenty" quilt, "Harmony" (a Nancy Odom wall hanging pattern), and technique lessons where you pick the pattern you want to make!

Note that daytime and evening classes are available and scheduled fortnightly! Yes, every two weeks. That's intentional, so students have time to work on their projects, without rushing. It will also be a goal to complete each project. With student input, we'll pick a date many weeks or even months after the last lesson to have a finishing class.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think about all this. I appreciate the encouragement you've given me to give this a try.

Stringing Colors Update

Saturday, August 29

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

West Des Moines United Methodist Church

8th and Grand, West Des Moines

Stringing Colors blocks will be sewn into queen-sized quilts for Australian Bushfire Relief. (Read more about it and see pictures of quilts on the blog: Oz Comfort Quilts.)

The effort to make 4,000 quilts, one for every person touched by the February 7, 200 bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria, touched my heart. In April I saw, first-hand, a small part of the stricken areas, as well as interviewed quilters who are leading the relief effort. (My article about the bushfires and quilts will appear in the Oct/Nov issue of Quilter's Newsletter magazine.)

As some of you know, our daughter lives in Sydney, Australia. With the anticipated arrival of our first grandson in October, I will be returning to that lovely country. I anticipate filling a second suitcase with quilts for victims of bush fires.

Everyone is welcome to come and sew with us, including non-sew-ers! We'll lay out blocks, trying different arrangements, and then web-sew - a great practice opportunity! Non-sew-ers can help by running blocks between the design wall and sew-ers, and pressing (ironing).

Supplies needed are: sewing machine and notions, extension cord/power strip, iron/ironing board (Not everyone needs to bring all these supplies!), and a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided.

Here's a 34" X 47" quilt made with Stringing Colors blocks. It was made by our ever-industrious quilting friend, Norma. Charming, isn't it? Doesn't it make you want to rush to your scrap bin and sew?

Thank you to those of you who have turned in blocks. We're going to have fun playing with them on August 29!