My friend Pat White sent me a box of fabrics to make a quilt for a charity we both support, Mothers Fighting for Others, and this is the end result.  When I first saw the fabrics, the sweet calico prints made me think of Little House on the Prairie.  Since the aim is to raise money for a school and orphanage for young girls, basing the quilt on a book seemed perfect.  I decided it might be even better to actually buy a copy of the book and pair it with the quilt for the upcoming auction.  (I like this idea so much, I’ve already decided on a book and quilt design for the next auction, if they’d like me to contribute again!)

Once I had the quilt finished, I could almost picture a little girl enjoying the breeze on a warm summer afternoon in the yard, laying on her quilt under a shade tree, lost in her book.  I thought, “She’s going to need a pillow,” and made that for her, too.  All we’re missing now is the little girl!

The quilt is a traditional hourglass design, a pattern that may have been used in as a part of a “quilt code” to help send messages to escaping slaves as a part of the underground railroad.  An hourglass quilt hung outside or visible in a window might have been a message about when travel would be safe, or a signal to travel in disguise or to change from the clothing of a slave to those of a person of higher status. (You can read more here and here.)  I imagine the future owner of this quilt will love these stories.  We’re working on building a lifelong love of reading and learning here!

The finished quilt measures about 39″ x 45″ and the pillow is about 12″ x 16″.  It’s pretty heavily quilted, and I love the way the lines intersected to make a starburst pattern.  It’s a little easier to see on the back.

If you’re interested in owning this quilt set, I think the auction will be held in October.  (Leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to let you know once it’s been scheduled!)

The purchase of this quilt will contribute to the love of learning for the special little girl who receives it, and it will also help educate all 35 girls at Saint Monica Children’s Home.  That’s a lot to expect from a little quilt, but I have faith in it.