It Takes a Village to Make a Quilt

Michael, at Inspired by Charm, has come up with an ingenious idea that I wanted to let you know about.  He decided that he wants to make a quilt, not just any quilt, but a summer quilt with polka dots and gingham and flowers - doesn't that sound divine.  So divine, in fact, that he has almost inspired me to want to make one too.

Micheal has never made a quilt before, but that isn't stopping him.  He is going to learn how once he has his fabric.  Now this is where the ingenious part comes in - he is going to make an inspirational quilt with fabric from all his loyal readers.  He is asking that anyone who has spare fabric lying around -  and who doesn't??? - send him a square and he will include it in the quilt. 

Michael would like the squares of cotton to be 6 inches in size.  You can mail them to him at:

Old Charm

Attn: A Quilt {inspired by charm}

444 Brusselles Street

Saint Marys, PA 15857

I sent 3 squares of this fabric to Micheal.  I have had this fabric in my basement for at least 18 years.  I always intended to sew something for Kate with it, but obviously never did.  I've always loved the slightly muted colours in this fabric, so I hung on to it.  I  may have to make myself a quilt with it.  How's that for inspiration!

I wanted to pass the word along to help Michael with his summer project.  You too might find yourself dreaming of making a quilt.

source

source

Aren't they gorgeous.  Such beautiful colours and they looks so homey. 

When I think of quilts I think of some of Sarah Richardson's fabulous bedrooms in her cottage and her farmhouse.

 Sarah Richardson photos via Sharon at Home's blog post

And here's what Sarah Richardson says about her love affair with quilts (in the Globe and Mail article from May 1, 2009):

Perhaps I belonged to a quilting circle in a previous life, because something has to explain my deep affection for handmade quilts. When I was in my 20s and my girlfriends were starting to collect designer handbags I was, you guessed it, buying antique quilts at auction (don't laugh). Fortunately for me I still love my quilt collection.

There you go - between Sarah Richardson's dreamy bedrooms and Michael's desire to make a summer quilt - aren't you inspired!