Blogger's Quilt Festival: The Library Quilt

Yes, it's true. I'm coming out of hiding. It's time for the Blogger's Quilt Festival! This is my first time joining in the Festival, but I'm so inspired by the creativity and variety of quilts I've seen so far, I can't wait to do some more blog-hopping. But first, to share a quilt story of my own -- and hopefully break my blogger's block. Here goes...

Prior to 2002, my knowledge of quilting was definitely limited. I was completely immersed in trying to build a career in freelance writing, and as fate would have it, I eventually landed an article assignment on the topic of quilting. In my search for resources, I met some wonderful, knowledgable quilters through an online quilting group... long story, short: In no time, I was completely hooked on quilting.

One of my favorite writing resources was also an online group of wonderful, knowlegeble women, called Momwriters. Besides the nitty-gritty how-tos of publishing, help with article quotes, and encourging words, Momwriters offered friendship with other writing moms. In May 2003, I got to know one such friend through a Momwriter's "secret friend" program.

I anonymously emailed my secret friend, Janet, for over a month, and in our conversations learned so much about her; her favorite books, places, pasttimes and writerly dreams. By the end of that month, I had finished this wallhanging for her, incorporating as many of those details as possible into the titles of the "books" on her "shelf."


This was definitely among the most fun quilts I've ever worked on. My hope was that it would not only remind Janet of our friendship, but also keep her reaching for her writing dreams. I spoke to her not long ago and was happy to hear that she still has her little *Library Quilt hanging on her office wall.

And as far as I know, she's still writing... ;o)

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*Library Quilt pattern by Christine Thresh