I’m A Quilter Because of the 4th of July!

That may sound like an odd thing to say, but it’s true.

As I have told you before, my mom learned to quilt when she was young and made several beautiful quilts in her teens and twenties…..

But after Dad returned home from World War II, life got busy. She worked full-time, raised a family, and although she never stopped sewing or doing hand embroidery, quilting was set aside for many years.

Then, as America began preparing to celebrate its Bicentennial in 1976, there was a renewed interest in traditional American crafts, and quilting experienced an incredible revival.

Mom picked up quilting again right where she had left off, starting with making SIX quilts for my “Hope Chest” (do you remember those?)

I had grown up knowing that hand-made items are wonderful, and I loved seeing her create those quilts…

…and somewhere along the way, I fell in love with quilting too.

So, in a very real way, I became a quilter because of America’s Bicentennial.

Every Fourth of July, I’m grateful not only for our country’s history but also for the quilting revival that brought this wonderful craft into my family’s life.

Happy BIRTHDAY AMERICA!! ❤️🤍💙

AQS Paducah – America The Beautiful

As we approach our 250th birthday,let’s enjoy quilts from the “America The Beautiful” exhibit. Quilters were tasked with translating the theme of “America The Beautiful” into fiber and quilt art, captureing the areas that define our country’s landscape…..

ENJOY…..

“Amber Waves of Grain” by Sally Manke

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“Ocean of Blue” by Heidi Proffetty

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“Pride” by Kyra Reps

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I’m sorry…. I don’t have the maker’s name

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“Route 163- Red Rocks – Dusty Hills) by Annedore Neumann

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“Spring in Great Bear Wilderness”: by Kathryn Wright

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“Pictured Rocks: Grand Portal Point” by Barbara Kilbourn

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“Humboldt Redwoods” by Fay Leighton

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“Cable Mill in Cades Cove” by Beverly Mannes

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“South Sister from Elk Lake Oregon” by Jeanne McLaughlin

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“Grand Teton National Park” by Julie Hallquist

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“American Buffalo” by Patricia Aberg

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“America The Beautiful Postcard” by Susan Bates

AMERICA IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL!!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the AQS Show in Paducah, be sure to subscribe…….

BQL Bargello

Years ago, when I was involved in the “British Quilt List” monthly challenge, I made a VERY simple bargello quilt to honor our Nation’s birth!!

Since the quilt could only be a 12-inch square, that didn’t leave much space for manipulation!!

I loved picking the fabrics for this quilt and am especially happy with the “fireworks” that look like they are coming out of some firecrackers…..

It was a fun quilt made for the perfect occasion!!!

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Do you struggle to decide what to quilt in your blocks? If so, check out my FREE series…..

Click HERE for more information

A quilt to celebrate America!!!

In my home I have a pie safe that was built for one purpose…..to store my quilts. Now this was early in my quilting career and the small cabinet could hold all of them.

Not ANY MORE!!!

Anyway, each month I change the decorating to reflect the flavor of the month and over the years I have created or acquired a quilt that specifically fits over the cabinet.

Here are the decorations that are up right now…..

This is special for two reasons….

Firstly, I highlight my Dad’s veteran status, displaying his army insignia and papers, and

Secondly, I love the quilt that I made for this month.

It started with a pattern in one of my Mom’s quilting books. But the pattern was for a BIG quilt….. I wanted a small (36″) quilt.

So, I decided that I would simply reduce the pattern size and make the quilt anyway.

Now, this was back in 1995, and my skills were a bit less developed than they are now.

I remember finding it to be a stretch to piece 1/2-strips and keep them straight!!

And when I began the quilting process, I started having issues with my sewing machine (a Singer School model).

I would start out fine, but the foot would stick and I wouldn’t be able to stop when I needed to…..YIKES!!! Fortunately, I learned to kick the pedal really hard to make it stop!!

This was quilted with monofilament thread and that was the only saving grace…..you couldn’t SEE the quilting!!

Anyway, it is now a favorite quilt and I love when July rolls around so that I can enjoy it hanging in my home……

I hope that you have a wonderful day of celebrating the Red White & Blue!!!

Freedom!!!

This July 4th, Michael and I have teamed together again to present both quilt and words that honor our defenders of freedom……

We often think of the 4^th of July in terms of freedom, and rightly so – our Country’s freedom from oppression, from control by a distant, foreign power intent on exploitation. What we don’t as often remind ourselves of is the cost in lost freedom, lost health, lost lives of men and women who served our country from the 18^th Century until now. This quilt of valor reflects the sacrifices from love – represented by the staggered heart blocks – by our service men and women who chose to lose their freedom and go where needed to protect each of us, and their Country. This quilt reminds us of those who returned and those who did not. We wish for no more conflicts, but know that until that Day when peace reigns, there will continue to be those special individuals who place others above themselves by moving into, not out of, danger.
Michael Arnold