Spread Some Cheer - Update

'Spread Some Cheer', a Desi Quilters-The Square Inch initiative to help raise funds for Swanthana, a home for physically and mentally challenged girls, has generated quite a bit of interest and we have managed to raise close to Rs.8,000 so far with many more who have pledged their time.


The orders went faster than anticipated and we have run out of the big reindeer panels. All further contributors will be sent bundles consisting of FOUR of the smaller reindeer panels and the two coordinated snowflake fat quarters.


There seems to be some confusion about the second option which asked for quilted items to be sent for selling at school fairs by our volunteers and thus raising funds for Swanthana. To clarify, the said items do NOT have to be made out of these fabrics. These are for you to keep and use as you desire. You are welcome to use your stash for making the charity items.





New readers, please do check out the previous post for details on how to contribute towards this initiative.


Will keep you posted.

Spread Some Cheer

Now who wants these fabrics? Say Yes only if you are a large hearted Santa willing to spread some cheer among the less fortunate.









DQ Revathi Vas and The Square Inch, in collaboration with the coolest quilting group on Earth, 'Desi Quilters', would like to call on all quilting and non-quilting members and friends to help support 'Swanthana', located off of Sarjapur Road in Bangalore,  home to about 50 girls, mentally and physically challenged, aged 9 months -15 years of age. Run by a group of dedicated nuns, they are partly funded by the government. However, they rely on donations from individuals and corporates to help them sustain their service.

Do check out this video done by the harmony music foundation on the Swanthana Care Home.. vimeo.com/55385121

Any contribution, big or small, will be much appreciated. So will volunteering your time if in Bangalore.

So what can a quilter do, you ask? And how do we get those yummy Christmas fabrics, you wanna know? Simple. Contribute, or, help raise contributions for 'Swanthana' through either/both of the following ways :

1. Purchase a bundle of the above fabrics for Rs.360. Each bundle consists of one big reindeer panel, two smaller reindeer panels and two snowflake fat quarters. You can purchase as many bundles as you like. The money can be transferred straight into the organisation's bank account and an email confirming the same, along with your address, needs to be sent to the.square.inch@gmail.com. The bundle will be dispatched to you within two working days.

2.You can make and send a quilted table runner or table topper to the Home to be sold at school fairs. However, the article needs to reach Bangalore BEFORE December 12th. Once sent, please send an email confirming the same to the.square.inch@gmail.com and you will be sent a set of the two snowflake fat quarters OR the reindeer panels (1+2) as a token of appreciation. You may mention your preference.

For those of us who cannot volunteer our time a la DQ Revathi Vas, this is a wonderful opportunity to do our little bit while sitting in our corner of the world. May I request all DQs to come forth and help Swanthan in any way they can. The good karma is reward enough.The fabric is a bonus :-).

If you would like to contribute even otherwise, here are the bank details:

Swanthana

Account no.0416053000004822

South Indian Bank

Koramangala Branch, Bangalore

IFSC : SIBL0000416

Thank you.

DQ Sep-Oct '14 Challenge - Entries

The theme for the  DQ Sep-Oct '14 Challenge was 'Concentric' and the participants were required to make a quilted piece representing their interpretation of the theme.

There were 4 interesting entries that made it in time.

SepOct01 - . IN TIMES GONE BY, a 25"X19" quilted piece representing the theme 'CONCENTRIC', remembering the time we enjoyed dancing to music that poured out of shiny, black vinyl records played on a Turn Table. The ' CONCENTRIC' theme is expressed by the concentric quilting on the tracks of the Record on the Turn Table, echoed by the Shadow Quilting in the concentric Greek Key pattern on the back ground, the concentric swirl pattern hand embroidered on the lady's skirt, the Music Notes and Music Symbols. The Border with its Black and White printed fabric with the concentric pattern adds the appropriate finishing touch to this ORIGINAL piece.

 

SepOct02A - CONCENTRIC HEXAGONS, a quilted block, 19"X16", in Traditional English One- Shape Patchwork, initially hand-pieced with paper templates, whip-stitched together, then using the quilt-as-you-go method, machine stitching round each hexagon with a decorative zig-zag stitch, in contrast coloured thread that attached the quilt top, batting and backing fabric together all at once.




SepOct03 -  "Dresden a la India" ,  26.5"X 26.5"
An attempt at giving the dresden block an indian twist with kantha quilting/embroidery, mirror, sequins, kundan stones and some FMQ for a little drama.




SepOct04 - Indian garden in log cabin
Size : 14" x 14"




The DQs voted for their two favourite entries. They are:

SepOct03- Dresden a la India
SepOct04 - Indian garden in log cabin

We will be back with the winner's name soon.

We are taking a break from the bi monthly challenges and retiring them for a while. Instead, for the months of November and December 2014, we have a swap going on. To join, head over to the Facebook page of Desi Quilters and register your name in the Swap file.
 

Block Six of Round the Year BOM - Lollipop Candy!

The pattern for the sixth block is posted on my blog; that, above, is the rainbow version. And this here, is the Dusk version

Before you head there, see the versions of this candylicious block that DQ Sobana Sundar and DQ Jaya Parker  tested for me!