Friday, May 04, 2007

Quilting advice

One of my cousin's best friends, and one of my longtime friends has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. It has been very shocking and eye opening because she is only 24 years old. A couple of weeks ago the doctors also found a cancer spot on her liver. I have seen her a couple of times this week and she is using her sense of humor to get through this difficult time. She feels pretty good, although she does get tired every once and a while. She is having surgery next week on her liver and if all goes well, she will start chemo after that. It's unbelievable that someone so young is going through this. I played softball with her for more than 6 years, in school and on a travel team. She is only a couple of months younger than me!

Anyway, here's where I need some of your crafty advice. I'd love to make her a small quilt signed with messages by people she loves. My thought is to buy some light colored fabric and cut it in strips, then to hand them out and have people sign them. I'd then sew them into the quilt top. I'm sure some of you have done this before and I was hoping someone would have some wise advice for me. I was also thinking that this would give me a good chance to use a pattern from my Denyse Schmidt Quilt book. I've never finished a quilt before, although I've started many. Unless you include the wall hanging I made in 4-H like 10 years ago. So, this should be a challenge. Anyway, if you are the praying kind, please keep her in your prayers. She is one of the funniest and sweetest persons I have met.

Isaiah with Christine a few days ago at Poet's Walk

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Katie Jean, I am so sorry to hear about your friend! My friend also found out that she had cancer a few years ago (at 18 years!). As for your quilt, I think it's an amazing gesture of support on your part and I'm sure she'll love it. I've never made a quilt like this before, but my advice is to use archival ink like the micron pens and make sure that people don't write into the seam allowances!!

iSew said...

Sorry to hear that, it must be so hard for her and her friends & family. I hope she can keep her spirits up & come through this a stronger person. I think the quilt is an excellent idea, I'm sure you'll finish it with your friend as inspiration. I'd reccommend using a treatment fluid to make sure the ink doesn't wash out. It's usually sold with printable fabrics. Good luck and well wishes for your friend, I will keep her in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Katie, your friend is in my thoughts. No advice on the quilt, since I've never done one, but I think that is a wonderful idea!

Anina said...

Wow, it's really scary to get cancer at such a young age. The positive is that young people are much stronger than older people.
This page has a rather fun and easy looking signature quilt:
www.mccallsquilting.com/curiss/
wb804_sigpattern/

Berber said...

What a wonderful gesture to make such a personal quilt for your friend! I'm sure it will give her great support in this difficult time!

Jenn Maruska said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Your quilt idea is wonderful - and I'm sure it will bring her happiness to know that so many people care about her. You are a true friend.

Heidijayhawk said...

sending prayers and love your way. we have a bit of experience with that stuff on this end. keep your head up adn be positive. its amazing what the love and support of family and friends can really help. i'm glad she's using humor. it will help.

lera said...

So sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer is a scary thing. No matter how old or young. Hopefully her age will work with her and she will kick it.

I can offer no advice about the quilt. I have never done one. Ever.

Sarah and Jack said...

I recently bought Crayola brand fabric crayons at Wal Mart. Apparently you can use them on a piece of paper and then transfer the design to your fabric using an iron.

I haven't tried it yet, but, it might be worth investigating since you could then have people use different colors and stuff.

The only signed quilt I own has all the signatures in black marker, and it just isn't as cute as multicolor crayons would be.

Anonymous said...

The quilt is a lovely idea for your friend. I'm so sorry she is going through this. I've seen quilt done with the crayons and they can look really vibrant.
I would embroider over the signatures or names (depending on how many). The pens or crayons would be a much quicker option.

Anonymous said...

I am so very sorry for your friend. I will send her and her family and friends positive thoughts.