The Lincoln Quilters Guild "SemiQuiltennial Quilt" as we're calling it (just a little bit shorter than semiquincentennial) was dreamed up by Tammy Hensley (LQG member), as a way to involve as many members of the guild as possible in creating a piece with 250, six-inch-star blocks to commemorate and celebrate the 250th birthday of our country. Seventeen different star quilt block patterns were provided to the members in the hopes that each member would contribute two to three blocks. With that goal in mind, the guild would easily reach the needed 250 blocks.
The general layout of the quilt was determined at the start of the project to fit the 250 blocks and borders together. However, members were free to make any star blocks they wished, including the guild provided patterns, as long as they were in red, white and blue. The blocks were then arranged and sewn together with the help of the guild’s board almost completely in one November day! The borders were added a couple of days later.
Each member labeled their quilt blocks so we would be able to keep a visual record of each member’s contributions to the project for posterity. Many members made their blocks to be supportive of the guild’s project or for the excitement of doing a big guild undertaking, which hadn’t been done in a long time. Others shared that they made their blocks to honor family members who had served in the military.
The guild’s raffle quilts typically serve as a fundraiser for the guild; however we decided that this project would best serve as a way to benefit military veterans. All funds raised from the raffle of this quilt will benefit the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary.
