Friday, January 31, 2014

Hands all around

This will be quick, because it was quick. A long-time co-worker retired this week. About 2 weeks ago we got the idea to make a quilt featuring the hands of people she has worked with. In the space of 14 days we collected tracings of 70 people's hands on prefused fabric, arranged everything on the background, ironed in place, free-motion quilted around every single hand, bound it (with a really nice couched on black chenille cord), made a label with everyone's name, and presented it (yesterday). In the spirit of doing it and not worrying about perfect, there was NO ripping out for small bobbles off the line. One slightly noticeable booboo got inked over with white permanent ink.

Hands of the Breast Center: Giving Life to Possible
I guess many hands make light work.

Susan

5 comments:

  1. Awesome quilt. Y'all did a really nice job.....love the colors, love the design.

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  2. What a great idea for a retirement gift, and so significant of the work given to those who need the helping hands of many.
    mary4gen@cox.net

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  3. This is beautiful! What a tribute to a friend and coworker! And wonderfully done too, I love the overlap and the few hands in different configurations.

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  4. Neat idea. How did you choose the colors/fabric for the hands?

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    1. Thanks. One of my 'partners in crime' saw the fabrics at JoAnn Fabrics as a fat quarter bundle and bought yardage of each, plus a lighter blue and the dark blue that both seemed to fit in to mix. I have no idea what possessed her and they are not in my usual range but it all works. The background is a grayish tan with a paler modern geometric print that matches the background of one of the florals. Makes a nice contrast color and pattern-wise.

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