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“… American women created a National Quilt of “many patches, each of its own color or
stuff…[which were] tacked and basted, then sewed and stitched by women’s hands, wet
often with women’s tears, and woven in with women’s prayers…” —Henry W. Bellows
A MOTHER’S DREAM QUILT:
HONORING VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE
A Mother’s Dream Quilt Project is a series of
quilts made up of a uniform quilting pattern
known as “Mother’s Dream.” Each quilt
contains meaningful fabric from a victim or
survivor of gun violence, and is surrounded
by blocks submitted by mothers who share
in our collective sadness over too many lives
shattered by gunfire. The uniform pattern
of “Mother’s Dream” used in all the quilts
represents the bonds of grief shared by
mothers, families, and friends of gun violence
victims, and the resolve of mothers across
America who have vowed to put an end to our
nation’s dangerous gun culture. The quilts are
a visual testament both to the pervasiveness
of gun violence in the U.S., as well as to the
power of connectedness and unity in our
efforts to stop this epidemic.
Anyone is welcome to participate in
the Mother’s Dream quilting project. Whether
you’ve been directly impacted by gun violence
or not, we welcome your submissions of
fabric, completed blocks, or completed
quilts. You need not have sewing or crafting
experience.
The following are three ways to participate:
Option 1:
Submit pre-cut fabric to have assembled into
a single block and then included into a quilt.
(See below for material and size guidelines.)
Option 2:
Submit a completed quilt block for assembly
into a quilt. (See below for step-by-step
block making instructions.)
Option 3:
Complete an entire quilt independently.
Please note: If you are interested in
completing an entire quilt, please contact
your chapter leader.
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BLOCK-MAKING GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS
Materials and sizing
When designing a block/quilt please follow these guidelines:
•
All fabrics are accepted (100% cotton broadcloth is preferable). Consider including
meaningful fabric in your block, including but not limited to: clothing, favorite colors,
favorite patterns
•
If possible, please pre-wash all fabric submissions (ALL OPTIONS)
•
All pre-cut fabric must include ¼” seam allowances on all sides- *see below for more
information (ALL OPTIONS)
•
Please label fabrics “A,B,C,D,E” for purposes of placement in the block (OPTION 1)
•
Please submit pre-cut pieces in a closed plastic bag (Ziploc or similar-type baggie works
best) (OPTION 1)
•
Please do not submit more fabrics than can fit into a gallon size plastic bag
•
For definition purposes – the “right” side of the fabric is the side that faces outward; the
“wrong” side of the fabric is on the underside
•
All DARK colored fabric pieces should be cut from the same fabric; all MEDIUM colored
fabric pieces should be cut from the same fabric; all LIGHT colored fabric pieces should
be cut from the same fabric
PRE-CUT FABRIC SIZES FOR A SINGLE BLOCK
All measurements are cut sizes:
1.
From the DARK fabric: Cut one 3 ½” square – “A”
Cut four 2” x 3 ½” rectangles – “C”
2. From the MEDIUM fabric:
Cut four 2” x 3 ½” rectangles – “B”
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3. From the LIGHT fabric:
Cut two 2 7/8” squares. Then cut each square in half diagonally (corner to corner)
to form four half square triangles – “D”
Cut two 3 7/8” squares. Then cut each square in half diagonally (corner to corner)
to form four large half square triangles – “E”
*¼” Seam Allowance/Stitching Line – using either a fine point permanent marker
(such as a fine point Sharpie), draw on the wrong side of the fabric a line ¼” in from
the cut edge of each square, triangle and rectangle – this is the stitching line.
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When completed, there should be:
1
DARK colored fabric square and 4 DARK colored fabric rectangles (cut from the same fabric)
4 MEDIUM colored fabric rectangles (cut from the same fabric)
4 LIGHT colored fabric small triangles and 4 LIGHT colored large triangles
(all cut from the same fabric)
You should have 17 pieces of fabric in total.
ASSEMBLING A BLOCK
IMPORTANT:
Always stitch along stitching lines, ¼” in from the cut edges of the fabric pieces
1.
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Stitch together long side each MEDIUM rectangle (“B”) and each DARK rectangle (“C”) together.
2. Iron seams after each numbered step. Press seams to one side. DO NOT press seams open.
3. Stitch the LIGHT colored small half-square triangle (“D”) to the DARK rectangle (“C”).
4. Stitch the two MEDIUM colored rectangles (“BCD”) to opposite sides
of the DARK center square (“A”) to create unit 1.
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5. Stitch the short side of the large, LIGHT colored half-square triangle (“E) to each side of the remaining pieced rectangles (“BCD”) to form one large triangular
shaped piece to create units 2 and 3.
6. Stitch the large triangular shaped piece (units 2 and 3) to the long side
of the pieced center strip (unit 1).
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7. NOTE – If using fabrics which stretch or are sheer (such as t-shirt fabrics, jersey, lace, tuille)
please cut an 8 ½” square out of cotton broadcloth (such as muslin) and stitch it ¼” from
the edges onto the back of the finished pieced block; this is to stabilize the pieced block.
Written information
• Please take a moment to complete the “My dream is” prompt on the submission form. This brief statement about your participation in this project will accompany the quilt
of which your block is a part. (required)
• If you are honoring and/or remembering someone specific, please take a moment to
include some written information (e.g., letter, story, poem) about this person. Feel free to
include information such as relevant dates, interests, achievements, personality traits, etc.
This information will travel with the quilt as it is displayed in different locations. You may
also submit a photo to be included with the biography. We cannot return photographs.
(optional)
PLEASE SEND ALL
SUBMISSIONS TO:
MDQP
P.O. Box 2507
Natick, MA 01760
SUBMISSION FORM
Please complete the following information (please print):
Block-maker information:
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Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
State
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Zip
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone (day):
________________________________________________ Eve:_____________________________________________________
Email address
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I am (check one):
________
Submitting pre-cut fabric in a sealed plastic bag to have made into a block.
________ Submitting a completed block to be included in a quilt.
Please describe the meaningful fabric you are submitting (e.g., a baby blanket, a favorite T-shirt,
a favorite color of a person being honored, etc.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Written information:
My dream is…
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________
I have included a written submission about a person who I am remembering
and/or honoring. (optional, limit 500 words)
________
I have/have not included a photograph. (circle one)
________
I acknowledge that Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is the
owner of this fabric/block/quilt and any accompanying documents I submit,
and I assign to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America any right, title,
and interest I may have in such submissions.
Signed: Dated:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________