#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: 

• Breast Screen (Australia)

• CDC.gov (US)

• WebMD (free screenings)

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