One Designer's Journey: Prayer Quilt for Sukie

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Prayer Quilt for Sukie

This was project was begun when our Dear Friend Sukie was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Lots of prayers are in this quilt.

Early in the process I gave Sukie a rectangular quilt to try. She became frustrated and confused because she did not know which way it was suppose to go. Thus the idea of making a square quilt was born. Every side is the up side. Any way it goes is the right way. I have never even seen a quilt made this way before. I do think it works.

Presenting the finished Prayer Quilt to Sukie.

Sukie is a little stunned even though she knew this was happening. Because some blocks came after the quilt was begun, I made a small book of prayers to accommodate those blocks.

Sukie's Finished Prayer Quilt ~ 60" square

It is actually square. However, because of the size, I had no flat space where I could take a photo. I propped up a 4' x 6' pin board on top of a table. Problem is that is leans a bit backwards plus there is a break when the quilt goes over the edge of the dining room table. Hope you can look past that to see the beauty of the prayers.

The open circle* in the center of the quilt has some thoughts at the end of the prayer blocks. For me, it was the hardest things to sew. If you have ever tried to sew or draw a perfect circle, you will understand my challenge. It was required by the quilt.

Original Finished Prayer Block

Each of the following blocks were created on a 6.5" square. Some did not grasp the fact that when sewn, it would shrink the edges. I think they are all lovely prayers from the heart. They are also, in my opinion, loving works of art. A clue to their placement on the quilt is the hearts.

Interpreted Art Work

These are pieces of original art that could not be copied because my lack of skill in copying the original drawing which could not be used because of 'bleeding sharpies'.

For more information see,

https://designerann.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-problem-with-sharpie.html

Requested Prayer Blocks

These are blocks that people from away, busy people, and some who were not sure enough to draw their own block. Some mailed, some emailed and some asked me in person [I had them write on a piece of paper exactly what they wanted plus how they wanted it displayed, ie with or without a drawing or symbol]. Then I put those thoughts on a block for them. I am sure their prayers go far beyond my lettering. I just did my best to interpret their prayers.

Traced Blocks

These are blocks that were previously made my someone using a sharpie that I provided or in one case, mailing in a completed block using what was thought to be permanent marker. At that time, I thought sharpies were permanent on fabric. No, they are not. I am sure that in ALL cases, the originals were better than my copies.

I did what I could to recreate them using permanent fabric markers.