One Great Way to Use Swatches and Scraps

The story of the scrap pillow

Searching for fabric to cover a headboard left me with a variety of swatches. Though I chose none of those swatches, I did save them. I still liked those fabrics, and as you may have guessed, because I'm a quilter, I couldn't bear to toss away something I could use. Since the swatches harmonized well, I put them together into a small pillow. I like that the pillow has a special memory of the search--a fun time for both my husband and me, as he often accompanies me.

I took the idea one step further and used more swatches and remnants I had in my cache. Some were calico and others were decorator lengths, but all made wonderful pillows.

Whether using inserts or filling your casing with fiberloft, making pillows is a fun way to give new life to those scraps and swatches.

Becky (Rebecca) Jacoby writes and edits fiction and nonfiction. She has written and illustrated for quilting publications. She has designed for the needlearts industry, owned a home decorating business, and continues to share her ideas. Contact her at Rebecca.jacoby09@gmail.com or via becky.jacoby.com

A Cheerleader's Quilt for Breast Cancer

Know a Cheerleader Who Isn't Positive?

Opportunities large and small confront us every day, and, I believe if we see them with an open heart, they become blessings.

Take Tuesday, for example. Bob, my husband, telephoned me from our church’s bookstore where he recently began volunteering. He explained that he had spoken with Josie, a young woman who shared with him that she had a friend, Amy, in her 20’s who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer one day, had a single mastectomy the next day and had her first chemotherapy session scheduled for the following day.

Josie’s earnest desire was to furnish a personalized quilt for her friend as a keepsake and comfort to use during her year of chemotherapy treatments. Josie’s problem was that she didn’t sew. She didn’t know someone who did, or who would be willing to donate time to create the quilt.

Bob, eager to offer tangible help, showed her Beating Cancer: Stories of People Who Are Surviving and Thriving. I had recently edited and published this book to encourage people who suffered from cancer as well as inspire those who knew, loved or acted as a caregiver of a cancer victim.

Next, Bob told Josie, “My wife is a quilter. She’s made lots of them, and might be willing to help. I’ll ask her, but she’s really busy and I can’t promise.”

Bob gave me Josie’s phone number. I met with her the next afternoon, discussed details and agreed to assist with the quilt. The basic color would be purple, Amy’s favorite, and Josie would coordinate gathering all the patches and bringing them to me to sew.

Little did I know what I was getting into.

Josie and I had discussed sizes and positioning of the quilt blocks. However, all the pieces came in on stretched out t-shirts written diagonally or out of alignment, in marker, as transfers, in fabric paint or stiff-backed embroidery. And all were in non-uniform sizes!

How could I make all these heartfelt words into one quilt?

I couldn't. Not without getting some standard sized blocks. So, I backed each contribution in muslin, bordered it in calico, then trimmed it to a specific size. Then all were assembled around a large center square, the main theme—cheerleading camp.

Paying It Forward

My joy emanates from a quiet place in my spirit where God speaks. He speaks to me loudest when my heart is willing to help others, to put my own wants aside for a time. It seems that it’s in those times—the times where God orchestrates the opportunities He has tailored just for us—that we “Find Our Quiet” and open ourselves to receive His abundant blessings. Spiritual energy both excites with expectation and grants indescribable internal peace, the “Rest of God.”

For me, helping Josie complete her quilt was not just saying ‘yes’ to God, it was allowing me to be a conduit in whatever capacity God’s plan held.

I am certain that when Josie delivers the quilt, Amy will feel the love that went into it. It’s also my hope that when she is covered by it, she’ll know the blessings sewn into it. She'll soon be on her way to recovery.

Nothing Says Comfort Like a Quilt

No matter what your decor, a quilt suggests warmth. Quilts are tactile art that can express the quilt maker's design style. Be warned, however, because once you snuggle under a handmade quilt, or you hang one like a tapestry, you're hooked. You'll have quilt fever.

I've been sewing quilts--and giving them as gifts--for years. The one you see in the photo is the only one I kept because its neutral color palette is pleasing and acceptable in traditional, transitional or country decor. The quilt pattern is an adaptation of the broken star, but you'll find that quilt names aren't synonymous among quilters. Just choose one you like and get started.

Many times I have been asked to write articles on quilt design, include step-by-step instructions and illustrate the graphics showing how to assemble the pieces. It's always fun to share the how-tos with a fellow quilter, beginner or advanced. But there are a few Websites that offer free quilt patterns. This is one of my favorites: http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/

From time to time, I'll share some quilting patterns, but for right now, start gathering your fabrics. Men's ties (who wears them anymore?) make a treasure trove for quilts or other sewing projects. Don't throw away the stained cotton shirt. Keep it and cut pieces from the parts that have no stain.

Store your fabrics by color family in plastic tubs, a file cabinet or whatever method organizes your stash. For a quilter, she who has the most fabric wins...or so I've been told.