A Box of Chocolates

Finally, my first finished quilt for 2008!


"A Box of Chocolates" is a mostly-monochromatic brown/cream, nine-patch quilt, made from fabric samples that have been in storage for over 20 years now. I think its about time they were put to good use, don't you? I have plans -- and more than enough samples -- to make several more of these, in various colors. This photo doesn't really do justice to the rich colors and prints in the quilt. Here's a closeup for a slightly better view, also showing the border, backing and binding fabrics I chose:


Of course, there's a story behind all these fabric samples. Back in the mid-to-late '80's, my parents owned and operated the local Ethan Allen furniture gallery. Unfortunately, recession slowly forced them out of business and the gallery was closed in 1987. My mom -- who has the same affinity for fabric as I have -- couldn't bear to throw away the thousands of beautiful samples in the inventory. In fact, she saved boxes upon boxes of drapery, bedspread, carpet, and upholstery samples. We've been slowly finding uses for all these samples ever since.

This quilt will be donated to Quilts with Love, and gifted to one of our troops serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Quilts with Love is a relatively small group of quilters who have so far sent over 1,300 quilts to the troops -- an amazing achievement! What better use for these long-stored fabrics?