CURRENT MODERN HERO QUILT PROJECTS
Chef José Andrés
One quilt we are making is for Chef Andres. As a Spanish immigrant and an American citizen, he is a visionary and a humanitarian, who established the World Central Kitchen in 2010. This important non-profit organization provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. The scrappy quilt blocks we will make him will feature a 4" finished and 8" finished squares that are made of only 2 fabrics. Choose either size to make. Select a background tone-on-tone fabric that contrasts with a novelty fabric depicting food. Please make your own templates by tracing a circular object and adding a 1/4" seam allowance to each template. For instance, to make a 4" finished block, start with a 4 1/2" square of paper. Trace a quarter circle in one corner, using something round, like a cup or a saucer. The size of the background arc will depend on your quarter cycle. The round section should resemble a quarter-round plate of food. Cut and trace your pattern onto the wrong side of your fabric, remembering to add the 1/4" seam allowance. Assemble your block using appliqué or by machine. For general instructions on how to piece a simple curve, here is a short video to check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvvJxsnZNg4 Ignore the sizes on this video and use the measurements above. Thank you to Nancy Adams for these instructions. All blocks needed have been received!
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Michael Fanone
Subject to copyright
Another quilt we are making is for Michael Fanone. Michael was a D.C. Policeman who retired in late 2021, due to severe physical and emotional trauma and a subsequent heart attack, from defending the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 insurrection. He remains active as a public speaker and advocate for law enforcement and democracy. Michael loves nature. We've decided to make him a quilt of simple 9-patch blocks, using various tone-on-tone shades of blues, greens and/or browns. Aim for contrast. Use 2 1/2" squares, sewn together in a 9-patch formation that will measure 6 1/2" unfinished. Here are some directions: https://www.epidastudio.com/nine-patch-sampler-week-seven-bonus-make-any-sized-block/ Thank you to Arlene Wagner for her help with these instructions. All quilt blocks needed have been received. ________________
Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly
Joshua Lott/Getty Images. Subject to copyright
We are also making a quilt for Mark and Gabby. Gabby is a retired politician and gun control advocate. She served as a member of the House of Representatives from 2007 - 2012, when she resigned because of a severe brain injury she received during an assassination attempt. Her husband, Mark, is an outspoken senior US senator and retired astronaut. He champions many reforms and efforts especially focusing on national security, aerospace technology and economic development. We are grateful for their dedication to the greater good. We are making them a quilt of string-pieced blocks. All blocks have been received. The block consists of diagonally-placed strips of fabric, varying between 1" to 2" wide, to make a 10" unfinished block. Here is a nice little tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbCX4eQDsGE Vary the strip widths, and make sure strips contrast with what they are next to. Thank you to Nancy Adams for her help with these block instructions.
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Michelle Obama
Another Modern Day Hero quilt will be for Michelle Obama. Why are we making a quilt for Michelle Obama? In a world that seems to get meaner by the day, she is the epitome of grace and class. She has endured some ugly insults recently, yet she remains a shining example of kindness and inspiration for us to be better humans.
For her quilt, we are making 6.5" (unfinished) string blocks, using floral fabrics. At this time, we have enough blocks to complete her quilt! Stay tuned for an announcement and call for blocks for our 6th Modern Day Hero of 2026. Thank you for your hard work and dedication on this project.
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Pope Leo
Here is the status of the Modern Day Hero quilt we are making for Pope Leo. It will be made of a combination of dove blocks and heart blocks. Astrid Bordush of Ottawa, Canada, has generously permitted us to use her lovely dove quilt block to make this quilt! Check out her website: applesandbeavers.com and see images of this block below. Besides the doves, we asked for 3.5" (unfinished) little heart blocks using dark blue backgrounds, tone on tone, and red tone on tones for the hearts. Thank you to Diane Volk Harris of StashBandit for the directions below, shared with her permission.
We have all the blocks we need for Pope Leo's quilt! Thank you so much!
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