Here is a quick and easy way to make a meaningful quilt for yourself or to give as a gift.

We looked at embroidering in preparation of today's quilt. This idea grew out of a verse. I found a beautiful verse and was looking for a way to capture it into my everyday world as a reminder of what is important. You can use this one or use your own verse. Verse is listed below. I have it divided into the 12 different parts I used. Note how they do not all have to have the same amount of words and characters.

Finished size 6 1/2'X 6 1/2'

Materials Needed:

• Muslin- approx. 1 yard
• tapestry fabric-approx 3 1/2 yards
• sewing machine
• thread
• scissors
• batting
• pencil
• pins
• needles

Divide your verse up into 12 parts. The parts do not have to be equal in length. Make sure you have these written down.

Cut the muslin into 12 one foot squares. On each square using the pencil, write out a portion of the verse. Repeat until the entire verse is written out onto the fabric.

Embroider each square with a running stitch. (Refer to July 30th article for embroidery directions.)

Cut 12 12"X7" strips of tapestry fabric.

**Taking your first piece of verse, with wrong sides together, sew one strip of tapestry fabric down the right hand side.

Take the next line of verse and sew this to the tapestry strip making sure to keep the lettering in the same direction and face up.

You should now have a large strip of horizontal fabric that has a muslin, tapestry, muslin pattern. Continue as above until you have four blocks of muslin with three strips of tapestry between.

Set that aside and start from ** for the next four blocks of verse.

Repeat until you have four large horizontal pieces that each contain four blocks of muslin with three strips of tapestry between.

Cut five pieces of tapestry 5 1/2' long X 7" wide. Starting with the first group of four verses, sew a large strip of tapestry fabric across the bottom. Taking the next strip of verse blocks, sew this strip to the bottom of the tapestry fabric making sure to put wrong sides together.

You should now have a 4 block/3 strip piece, long tapestry, and a 4 block/3 strip piece running top to bottom. Continue adding alternating between 4 block/3 strip piece and large strip of tapestry fabric until you have all 12 verses attached.

There will be two more pieces of tapestry. Sew one to the top and one to the bottom.

Now cut 2 tapestry pieces 6'8" long by 7" wide. Sew these with wrong sides together to each side. Your quilt top is done.

To finish your quilt, lay your quilt top out face up. Take a 6'8" square piece of tapestry fabric face down on the quilt top. Smooth out. Now lay a 6'8" square piece of batting on top of the wrong side of the tapestry fabric. Smooth out and pin all the way around.

If you intend to hang the quilt on a wall, follow the next step. If you are going to lay it on a bed, skip right to sewing the layers together.

To make the loops for hanging the quilt, cut 6 -8" X 8" squares of tapestry fabric. Take the first piece, fold in half with right sides together. Sew at long salvage edge. Repeat for each of the six pieces. Turn pieces inside right and fold in half. Unpin the top of quilt. with salvage edges lined up with the quilt edges, pin the loops at each end and spaced evenly across the top of quilt. Repin.

Sew outer edges starting on the bottom side and working up to the top, across and down making sure to leave open the last 8" or so. Turn quilt inside right. Hand sew the opening.

*To live content with small means,

To seek elegance rather than luxury

*And refinement rather than fashion

To be worthy, not respectable

*And wealthy, not rich

*Await occasion, never hurry

*To study hard

Think quietly

Talk gently

Act frankly

*To listen to stars and birds

To babes and sages with open heart

*To bear all cheerfully

Do all bravely

*In a word, to let the spiritual

*Unbidden and unconscious

*Grow up through the common

*This is to be

*my symphony.......................anonymous

These make wonderful gifts and are a way to share your thoughts and affection.

Email we with your questions and ideas.

"Copyright 2006, Mary Welling-Bonney & Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright."