Celebrating October with Pretty in Pink

As with most quilt-making endeavors, the concept, creation and finishing steps for making a quilt usually span several weeks or months—and often get interrupted by other, more deadline-driven projects. This quilt was started back in August and the binding was completed this weekend—just in time to celebrate October and breast cancer awareness month.

"3 Sisters" 

This pretty-in-pink quilt, called "3 Sisters," is made with a new pre-cut strip collection, called "Pretty in Pink," by Blank Quilting. 

"3 Sisters" detail.

The random diagonal accents are strings and scraps of contrasting color, value and brightness. They  were inserted into pieced strip sets of the pink fabrics. You might recall "Quasar 45" and "Crimson Inspired" that employ this free-style piecing technique. 

"3 Sisters" detail.

Here is a full view of the "3 Sisters."

"3 Sisters"
36.75" x 43"

The free-motion quilting motifs and fillers include swirls, pebbles, zig-zags, headbands and a few random free-form feathers.

"3 Sisters" back view.

Each of the three diamonds (focal points) was "framed" and surrounded by various filler patterns.

"3 Sisters" back view of the quilting.

The light color of the backing fabric, Sparkle (color: mist) 108" by Blank Quilting, enables the quilting designs to be easily seen.

"3 Sisters" back view of the quilting.

Quilting Stats: 
50 wt. variegated cotton threads, Tutti by WonderFil (TU10 and TU05) were used on the top. 60 wt. poly thread, the Bottom Line by Superior (#650 color: champaign) was used in the bobbin. 12.25 hours of free-motion quilting. 5.5 bobbins.

The scrappy binding was made with strips from the same Pretty in Pink package of strips. I was careful to make the 45-degree diagonal joins of the binding strips consistent with the angles on the quilt. Just a little pre-planning was involved, but very worth it visually.

Scrappy pieced binding on "3 Sisters" quilt.

I'm celebrating October with this pink quilt and encourage everyone to promote breast cancer awareness. Too many lives have been affected by this disease. Awareness and early detection is important and life saving. We stand united—as sisters—in the battle to defeat a cruel adversary.

"It's a Girl Thing" ATCs and a message for Women

Pink prevailed in the FiberAntics October ATC (Artist Trading Card) swap. Among the eyelets and lace, luscious velvet trims, pearl buttons, teeny bikinis and all-things-bling, there were health-conscious reminders that surfaced in the artist trading cards about the importance of annual mammograms. Although it was not a conscious decision on my part to have "It's a girl thing" as the theme for October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, sending the message to "Get Screened" is always timely.

Here are some statistics in the United States:

•  every 3 minutes, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer,

•  every 13 minutes, one woman dies of breast cancer,
•  there are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States,
•  with early detection and if confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98%.

The small group of artists who traded in person relayed stories of their "annual ritual" and family and friends who are BC survivors. One trader's grandmother, a BC survivor,  is going 30+ years strong. Congratulations! You go, Girl!

If pink makes you think "girl things," I hope you'll take one step further and associate it with an annual mammogram. If a history of this disease runs in your family, talk with your doctor and reevaluate the recommended "40 years of age" starting point for a mammogram—I did, and have had routine mammograms since my late 20s. The procedure is really not scary and the advancements with digital technology have improved processing, diagnosis and treatment.

Studies have shown that mammograms and early detection does make a difference. So, tell all the women in your life to "Get Screened." It's not just a girl thing.  It can make a difference  in everyone's life.