Wednesday, October 21, 2020

#SewPink Initiative Blog Hop

I am super excited to be part of the #SewPink Initiative Blog Hop put together by By Annie and Patterns By Annie.  This is my second year to participate in this very important cause - to raise awareness for breast cancer. 


As a quilter one of my most frequent requests is to help put together a "Sentiment" or "Signature" quilt for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing chemo treatments.  Since I've never actually written out the instructions or put together a tutorial on how to do this, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity. 

"Sentiment" quilts are made using fabric pieces where friends, family, co-workers, classmates and others have written inspiring messages to support the person with cancer or any type of illness.   There are a variety of different ways and styles to make a quilt like this, so don't feel like there is any "right" way and other ways are "wrong". 

Here is a list of the supplies that you will need to make a 39" x 58-1/2" quilt with 54 blocks on the front side:

  • 8" squares of light-colored solid or tonal fabric - enough for everyone to sign plus some extras
  • 6-1/2" square cutting grid or cardboard template
  • Thread
  • Rotary Cutter, Mat and Cutting Grid
  • Water-Soluble Marking Pen
  • Permanent Fabric Markers - preferably fine or ultra fine point
  • 7" squares of coordinating fabrics - person's favorite color, pink for breast cancer, prints that match the person - enough to complete the front of the quilt. 54 minus # of signature blocks. 
  • 1-3/4 yards of 42" wide fabric for backing
  • polyester batting to size
  • 1/2 yard of binding fabric

Since making a sentiment quilt is more of a process than step-by-step instructions, I put together a video that explains what I'm doing but more importantly, the why I'm doing it.  Many times when sentiment quilts are put together it is a team effort and not all of the team are sewists or quilters.  One person may do the cutting, another helping mark, someone else mails and collects all the fabric pieces, another person presses, etc.  My intent for this video is to help everyone understand the process so they can make a quilt that best meets the needs of the person they are making it for.

 

I have also prepared a pattern to accompany the video.  The Sentiment Quilt pattern is available as a digital download.  Please click this link to start the process of having it emailed to you. 

To find the complete schedule for the blog hop and more information about breast cancer, this link connects you to the ByAnnie.com page. 

And finally, we can't have a blog hop without a prize!  It's super simple to enter, just leave a comment on this blog post and I'll select one lucky winner to receive a $30 coupon to ByAnnie.com  Isn't that easy!  Please make sure your settings will allow me to email you or otherwise I won't be able to contact you if you win. 

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer throughout the year. Our efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote self-care, awareness, early detection and support for those affected by breast cancer. 

To learn more and see the calendar of events visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK

To find screenings available near you: 

To donate directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation visit: https://give.bcrf.org/give/31404/#!/donation/checkout


18 comments:

  1. Cancer has a way of snapping us back to the reality of life is a gift. Thanks for the Sentiment.

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  2. Thank you for the Sentiment quilt. So lovely and thoughtful!

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  3. Thank you for the wonderful quilt pattern!

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  4. Thank you for offering the video & pattern. I can think of a couple of instances, happy & sad, where this fits. petuniakr@aol.com

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  5. Thank you so much for your efforts in encouraging awareness to this horrible disease.

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  6. Thank you for the Sentiment quilt pattern. I think this would be fun to make with my family.
    cecilialyoung at gmail dot com

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  7. Thank you for being part of this blog hop and thanks too for the pattern.

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  8. Your quilt is a wonderful way to make someone feel special who is going through cancer treatments. Thank you, peterstankoich@comcast.net

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  9. Wonderful idea for someone needing love, support, and encouragement.
    Meibert@comcast.net

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  10. I have a couple of signature quilts. I cherish them!

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  11. I love the idea of a Sentiment quilt! What a wonderful gift for someone special.

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  12. I like this as a way for friends, coworkers, and loved ones to make a comforting quilt for those recovering. I've been a part of a similar quilt for someone undergoing breast cancer and that was a quilter; she asked for blocks of any size and put them together. She takes it to her local Susan B Koman walk every year.

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  13. I just happened to find this hop by accident. So glad I did! Thank you for the pattern.

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  14. Thank you for participating in Sew Pink. Nice pattern for a sentiment quilt.

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  15. I've been enjoying Annie's blog hog as I am discovering wonderful, creative people like you out there in this world wide web. The background quilt on your blog is amazing. Thank you for the quilt pattern.

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  16. I love this! My husband lost his mother to breast cancer when he was 19. Thank you for helping to bring awareness to this horrible disease.

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  17. Thank you for promoting breast cancer awareness, and thank you for the wonderful video! I love this idea of a group project, and you covered everything with your instructions and tips. Someone receiving this quilt would feel all the warm hugs and thoughts of everyone who contributed. That's especially important right now, when sharing hugs or even just visiting might not be possible. I think I'm going to be organizing and sewing some sentiment quilts in the future,for people needing support, and for people celebrating various occasions.

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  18. Cancer impacts us all and your lovely quilt not only helps us remember but reminds us to keep up the fight and keep on searching for a cure

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