Quilts for Japan

Like many of you, I have watched in absolute awe at the power Mother Nature has unfurled at Japan.  I've watched houses and cars float through the streets.  I cannot even begin to imagine what the people of Japan are going through right now, both physically and emotionally.

And like many of you I've wondered what I could do from my little corner of the world.  I was reading via another blog that the Quilter's Newsletter will be gathering quilts to send to their sister publication in Japan, who will then distribute the quilts to those in need.  I was sure that I could find plenty of fabric in my stash to make some quilts.  And guess what?  I did!

As a born procrastinator, I figured I'd better pick a fairly easy pattern otherwise nothing would get done.  I contemplated just plain large blocks.  Then I thought about a nine patch.  Then I remembered someone on one of my quilt lists talking about a disappearing nine patch.  So I looked it up and decided to give it a try.  I am TOTALLY hooked!  I made two small quilt tops this weekend.  And I made both of them with stash fabric -- even better!!

The first step it to  make a basic nine patch.  The first quilt I cut my squares/strips 6".  The second quilt I cut them  8".

Once the nine patch is put together, you then cut it apart!!!  Yes, you cut it apart.  You cut it down the middle both vertically and horizontally.  This will yield four blocks.

Now it's play time!  Here's what my quilts ending up looking like.

Both quilts still need to be sandwiched.  I'm heading over to my local quilt shop tomorrow after work.  My goal is to make (and finish) at least four quilts.

I'd like to encourage all of you to make at least one quilt to send to the Quilter's Newsletter.  You'll get to do something you enjoy and someone on the other side of the world will be able to feel the warmth, love and caring from a total stranger.

Happy quilting!