A while back, when the Bloom With Grace fabric first arrived in my shop, I knew I wanted to use some to make a Mercyful Quilt. It seemed so perfect for bringing comfort to a grieving family. The colors are gorgeous and the sentiment is very sweet. I took a panel and cut the four main blocks apart. Then it sat. This seems to happen quite often in my sewing room!
After a bit, I cut borders from some of the coordinates in this line. I added these to the four blocks and alternated the colors when I placed the bocks together. After stitching those up, I added a narrow pink border with tiny green cornerstones. Thinking it cute but a bit small, I cut up some scraps and added a patchwork border to the top and bottom. There. Now it felt finished!
Using a vintage sheet seemed like the perfect backing. A soft floral was the right complement to the colors and vibe of the quilt top. Each square block is quilted with a crosshatch and the borders have basic straight line quilting. The patchwork at top and bottom are stitched in the ditch to hold it all in place.
I am really pleased with the finished quilt. It isn’t huge, finishing at 44″ x 46″. With some additional pieced blocks between or around the four main panel pieces, one could make it quite a bit bigger if desired.
After taking some pictures I put it in the wash and now it is all soft and crinkly, ready for Mercy Hospital. Most of you are familiar with the Mercyful Quilt program but just in case you aren’t, I organize a program where quilts are made and donated to Mercy Hospital in Sacramento. Their palliative care team offers a quilt to families who are comforting a loved one who is dying. The family often chooses a quilt and uses it to cover their family member. After the person has died, the family takes the quilt home in remembrance of this special person. It brings great comfort to the person and to the family. I have received (and shared here) many thank you notes from both families who have received quilts as well as the team at Mercy who distributes them. I would love to have more donations for them. If you feel called to make one, there are just a few requirements. Your donation must be lap size, made with adult fabrics (because this hospital doesn’t treat children) and must be a new, unused quilt without any fragrance, especially not cigarette smoke. Other than that, the quilt can be as simple of complicated as you like. All quilts are hugely appreciated!!
This is the completion of my February OMG and I will be linking up to Elm Street Quilts. This is also to be a donation used for the 2021 Hands2Help hosted by Sarah Craig. I will link it up when that event opens up. For other link-ups that I enjoy, take a look at the top of the page and click on the Link Ups tab.
Your quilt looks just lovely, Bernie. I’m sure it will bring comfort to a family going through this with a loved one. All that warm sunshine in that photo looks so inviting!
Thank you! We have had some beautiful weather this week. We are spoiled this time of year. 🙂
Congratulations on the finish; I agree that the fabric really speaks to the Mercy Hospital needs. I’m sure it is going to be really appreciated by the recipient and hospital.
Thank you. I hope it will bring comfort. The colors are soft and the quilt (physically) is so soft and cozy.
Hope all is well with you Yvonne!
That’s a lovely quilt, Bernie! I enjoy seeing the creative ways people turn panels into beautiful quilts. I wanted to ask you what size quilt you like for Mercyful Quilts. When my Pfaff gets fixed, I hope to finish one for you – it’s around 48 x 60, I think.
Diann – that would be wonderful! 48 x 60″ is perfect. I appreciate your generous gift of time and creativity. Thank you in advance!! 🙂
Thank you, thank you!! I’ve often wondered how to increase the size of a quilt in a certain direction but haven’t seen any examples until your post!! I will often have a quilt that winds up being a square when I want it to be a rectangle. Now I know a way to fix that! Muchas gracias!!!
Well you are very welcome Carol! Isn’t that the fun part about reading quilting blogs? Seeing how others interpret an idea or change something up a bit? It is inspiring for sure. I hope you and Robert are having a nice week. 🙂
Beautiful quilt and the weather is so delightful in those shots! It is such a great thing you do for Merciful Quilts and I have received beautiful notes from them too.
Thank you for the note Kathleen. I am glad you have received a thank you from Mercy. Not that we must receive one but when we do, it is validating. The team at Mercy is soooo grateful to have these quilts which makes it really satisfying to work on this project.
Beautiful use of these panel prints, and I love how you framed each one with multiple border/sashing in different colors.
Thanks Rebecca. It is a simple quilt but should bring comfort. That was my goal with this project. Take care and enjoy your weekend.
Really lovely quilt Bernie. The patchwork you added looks so nice, and that sheet is a perfect backing. With the sentiments on those panels, it really does seem a perfect quilt for Mercy.
That is what I was thinking. So much so, I am tempted to make a second quilt of the same fabrics. I don’t think I have ever done that before but it seems appropriate. Have to see what time allows for. Have a great weekend Linda. Maybe spending some time working on the garden?? Enjoy.
Such a cheerful pretty quilt. I am sure the recipient will adore it.
Thank you! I hope it is a source of comfort for a family.:-)
Beautiful and so cheery. I’m sure whoever gets it will just love it!
Thanks Cheree! Hope all is well with you. Enjoy your Saturday. 🙂
This is a beautiful little quilt and it will bring bright thoughts and comfort to the family. What a wonderful thing to do. What a treasure. Thank you for sharing in my linky party and brightening my day … 🙂 Pat
Such a sweet quilt, Bernie. I’m sure it will be appreciated. I’ve gotten a couple of lovely, handwritten notes from Mercy Hospital, so I know they’re happy with our efforts. Hope you have lots of sunshine this weekend!
Good to hear you have received a note or two from Mercy. I know they don’t send them out quickly (which I totally understand) but they do appreciate each quilt. Having my first cup of coffee this morning and it is a frosty 28* outside. But it will warm up to the high 50’s. I cut out a t-shirt to sew and am hoping to work on that today. Have a great weekend Mari. 🙂
Nice job, Bernie! The Lord blesses your hands to do His work.
Lovely. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.
So pretty, Bernie, and that checkered border adds just the right touch. I can imagine the cool, smooth feel of the vintage sheet. The quilt—and the sentiments on it will be so comforting. Mercy and you do good work.
Thank you so much Janine. This isn’t work. It is a pleasure. 🙂