THE GATHERING: CLARIFICATION ON THE ART PILLOWS

At the August meeting, I announced that I was in charge of getting 10 twin size quilts made to be auctioned off as art at a fundraiser called The Gathering, which is held each year to raise money to help sustain Sacred Heart school in north Omaha.  Gracious people throughout Omaha generously support this school. The auctioneer usually starts the bidding on each piece at $1,000; each item usually sells for  ~ $3,000.

Additionally, 2-3 ‘bonus’ donors are found to enhance the bid, thus each art piece (quilts this year) usually raises $10,000. I am making an “art” quilt pillow for each of these additional donors, and thus will need ~30. I wasn’t very clear at the meeting what I meant by an “art” pillow and I think I scared some of you away who might enjoy making one of these.

I just meant that I didn’t want any Sunbonnet Sues or yo yo’s. This would be a great chance to try out that intriguing paper-pieced pattern you always wanted to try, or maybe a few blocks of a New York beauty. Your design could be as simple as using some of the fun Betty Boop or I Love Lucy or other interesting fabrics that are out there, and adding a little more pizzazz with a few beads or decorative stitching. How about a Snails Trail or 3-D Tumbling Block or Attic Window using sophisticated colors or gradated batiks? These don’t have to be pieced; you could try thread painting, felting, fusing, Paint Sticks, or even hand embroidery or appliqué or a crazy quilt design. You don’t even have to make the entire pillow.

If you just want to make the 18”pillow top, I will be glad to make it into the actual finished pillow (either way, I will supply your pillow form). Where else could you get the chance to make an unique pillow, knowing that someone will donate thousands of dollars and receive your work as a thank you gift??!!! Many of these will go to corporate offices and your name will be on your piece.

I’m also going to take my Bernina down to the school and let each of the 200 students sew a few pieces of fabric together. If you are free during the day and like to work with kids, I would love to have you join me. Thanks for any help you can give. I also need several more volunteers to help machine quilt a few of the 10 twin size quilts.

The date of The Gathering is March 27, 2010. Contact Teri at teriSEWandSOW@aol.com