A most amazing package arrived at my post box yesterday. It included a collection of cards/letters and a beautifully wrapped gift. I knew it was something really special so sat down (with a box of tissues) to read all the beautiful notes. I generally don’t share much personal information here – it is usually all about making. baking, and creating 🙂 When some of my instagram friends heard that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April, they collaborated to create me an amazing quilt. Reading all their cards and messages of support was so uplifting. This quilting community is so amazing and supportive! I feel really blessed and lucky to have made such wonderful friends. I am doing really well and making a good recovery. I am back at work and slowly building up my energy. I hope to have more energy for sewing soon. Meanwhile I can admire my beautiful quilt.
13 wonderful ladies worked together on this project. They shared their progress shots over on instagram under the hashtags #ssshquilt and #ssshsewing I had seen some of these images but had no idea the quilt was destined for me! I truly value the gift of handmade and can see the amazing work and love that has gone into each and every block. The quilt features all of my favourite things – pretty florals, polka dots, linen, sweet stitching, hexies, dresdens, tea, cotton reels, and more. It has my favourite Liberty prints, Atsuko Matsuyma fabrics, and Sevenberry florals. It has been exquisitely quilted, including some beautiful text around the outside border.
You can see the full quilt in the shot below.
Here is a close up of each block – simply breath taking –
Row 1
Row 2
Row 3
Row 4
Row 5
Row 6
I can’t thank the beautiful ladies who made this special quilt for me enough! They are all amazing and I will always treasure this wonderful quilt. It makes me feel so loved.
These 12 ladies all made two blocks each
Ali from Arabesque Scissors , @arabesquescissors
Alisha from Ministry of Fabric , @ministryoffabric
Annabel from @belloquacity
Ange from A Little Patchwork , @alittlepatchwork
Anorina from Samelias Mum , @sameliasmum
Megan from Dolly Henry , @dollyhenryau
Michelle from Cole and Taffy , @coleandtaffy
Naglaa from @quiltymamaof4
Peta from She Quilts Alot , @shequiltsalot
Sedef from Down Grapevine Lane , @downgrapevinelane
Terri-Anne from @lizzierosesews
Therese from Love That Fabric , @lovethatfabric
The wonderful quilting was done by
Kellie from Sew Mimi.K , @sew_mimi.k
Special thanks to my two favourite Australian online stores – Alisha from Ministry of Fabric for donating the sweet floral fabrics used in the backing and cornerstones, and Martine from Ava and Neve for donating the linen.
Ali and Megan did an amazing job of organising the quilt. You can read more of the back story behind the quilt over on Ali’s blog – Wrapped in Love – Our Special Friendship Quilt.
You can read about Kellie’s quilting process over on her blog – Quilts Are My Sugar, and A Sugar Quilt Reveal.
The back of the quilt featured sweet embroidered labels from each of the ladies:
This is destined to be a treasured heirloom. Quilters really are the nicest people and so generous with their time and skills. I am so glad to be part of this lovely community.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so please make sure you have regular mammograms as early detection makes all the difference.
This is absolutey gorgeous!!!! What great friends you have!!!! I hope you get to feel better soon….
Thanks so much Antigone – I am lucky to have such thoughtful and amazing friends 🙂
This is truly special! I also noticed embroidery around the border. A comfort quilt to wrap yourself up in. So glad you are doing well. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much – it has Jane Austen quotes embroidered around the outside. It is extra special!
I’m so pleased we have achieved our goal of making you feel wrapped with love 🙂 it was a joy to coordinate and see the eagerness and generosity of all involved. We have all felt truly blessed ourselves through this process, and I’ll blog about the whole journey hopefully tomorrow (I’ve been away and the kids are on holidays) xx Ali
You sure did Ali!! It was a wonderful surprise and will be such a treasured quilt. I was snuggled up in it last night while I crocheted in front of the TV. I can’t believe all the effort everyone went to. Thanks ever so much for co-ordinating it all – I am truly blessed.
It’s turned out so pretty! I love all those labels on the back??
Thanks so much Michelle! Your kindness has really touched my heart. Evert detail on the quilt is perfect. The labels are so awesome.
A very special quilt for someone who is amazing as you are.
Thanks so much Janet for your sweet message!
This is awesome. A wonderful quilt that will be treasured. Lucky you to have some amazing quilty friends. Speedy recovery x Like you had surgery this year for breast cancer. thank goodness we have some amazing doctors here in WA. Im feeling great and hopefully we have kicked it in the butt. Im having this year off work to make sure im well on track. I have fits of sewing then. lose it :-{ .But it will be here soon enough. I am getting inspired with all the Christmas projects that are starting to show up. So fingers crossed.
Lovely to hear from you Cheryl! Glad to hear that you are making a great recovery too. We are certainly lucky to live in WA and have access to good treatment. I don’t have much energy for sewing yet either but hopefully that will return soon. You are so right about Christmas – perfect season to be inspired. Have a wonderful week ahead and enjoy your break from work.
Hi Lisa! I am so happy you are in love with the quilt, it was such a joy coming together to make it for you, and fun because we felt like children with a secret, putting our blocks onto Instagram and knowing you saw them! It was amazing working with so many lovely ladies to put this together, you are right, quilters are the most lovely people and you are one of the crafters responsible for keeping the crafting community connected and inspired – here in Australia and beyond! Before I got into the patchwork side of things, I’d often look at your blog and find it all so inspiring. Everyone has been so welcoming on Instagram, and a lot of that I owe to you with the work you did for Dolly Henry on the A Spoonful of Sugar blog! ~ Megan x
Thank you Megan for your sweet words! I am so humbled by the love and care everyone put into their beautiful blocks. The quilt is so precious to me and will be greatly treasured. Thank you so much for helping to organise it – I really appreciate and value the work everyone put into the project. It was a fantastic surprise – especially as I had seen some of the progress photos. You are so right about Instagram – I originally thought that I didn’t need another social media platform but everyone in the quilting community is so positive and welcoming … when I haven’t had the energy to do much sewing myself it has been wonderful to see what everyone is busy making – so inspiring. Lisa x
What a beautiful and truly special gift for you, Lisa! So much work, creativity and love has been put into each and every block. A wonderful idea that brings so many people together and spreads love all around. I am wishing you plenty of good health and loads of energy and endless inspirations. I hope with each day you find yourself feeling better and better, and more energetic. All the girls have made an amazing job! I saw many of these blocks on IG and was curious to see where they would end up. So special and sweet! Best wishes, Larisa xox
Thanks so much Larisa for your sweet message. I absolutely love my special quilt – so much love in every stitch. I am doing really well and look forward to doing more sewing soon. Have a wonderful week! Lisa x
This is so adorable and cosy quilt filled with love! I wish you all the best and hope you are better! x Teje
Thanks so much Teje for your good wishes!
Lisa, I had no idea about your cancer, but I praise God you’re getting stronger and that you’ve been shown such love, respect and care by these special gals. God bless sweetheart! xxxx
Thanks so much Jenny for your beautiful message. I am doing really well. I was so overwhelmed by the beautiful gift on a quilt made just for me 🙂 Have a wonderful week, Lisa x
Both sad and happy news. So sorry for what you’ve gone through; so happy to have you here. Your blog and creativity would be sorely missed if you couldn’t continue sharing your ideas with us. The ladies did a superb job; I’m sure it will wrap you in special curing energies when you wrap yourself in it. I send my hugs to you as well.
Thanks so much Cath for your lovely message. I am feeling much brighter and am gradually getting back into more sewing. Have a wonderful week.
You are blessed… may you continue to heal.
Thanks so much Carol for your well wishes
May God continue to bless and heal you! Hope you have a very happy new year!
Thanks so much Kelly for your kind wishes. Blessings for 2017!
A little late in seeing this. God Bless You as you go through this process. You have some amazing and supportive friends as im sure you already know. A precious and beautiful quilt to comfort you as you go through this time of healing. And a remembrance of love from all these special ladies. Prayers for you, and thanks for sharing with us!