How to Make a Community Quilt

How to Make a Community Quilt

I love my city. I love community projects. I love quilting.

And, my position on our local arts board lets me combine the three in way that makes my heart sing.

So, what is it that makes my heart sing? Aside from nachos, Dr Pepper, and evenings spent on the patio with my family…it is my ongoing community quilt project.

This project started started during the Covid lockdown as a drive-thru quilt block pick up and evolved from there.

Here’s how it worked:

#1. I copied a pile of our Courthouse Steps Block Tutorials.

#2. I cut fabric….stacks of fabric!

To be precise, I cut all the pieces needed to make more than 50 Courthouse Steps Blocks cut to size. (This wasn’t as time consuming as it sounds…the pieces are all the same width, and only are 3 different lengths. This makes the cutting go quickly.)

#3. I bought a box of Ziplock bags and in each bag I placed a copy of the quilt block tutorial, the pre-cut fabric, and information about where completed blocks can be returned to.

#4. Then it was time to schedule and advertise our pick up and drop of times and locations.

And, the most important part….host the drive-thru! (Which was so fun.)

Anyone could participate…all you had to do was come and pick up a ziplock bag block kit!

The drive thru drop off was even more fun than the drive thru pick up.

Some of the blocks came back perfect, impeccable, and beautiful.

Others came back crumpled or wonky.

I LOVED and used them EVERY SINGLE ONE.

(Just as every member of my community is unique, wanted, needed and should be celebrated….so is each and every block that has been collect from my quilters.)

Of course, not all the quilt blocks were returned…and that’s ok!

One day they might be returned, or sewn into another quilt, or found by someone going through their grandma’s stash….where ever they end up I’m cool. The blocks that are returned are worth the risk of loosing a handful of pre cut blocks.

#6. Finished blocks were squared up and sewn into quilts to be handed out to members in the community who are in need, suffer a loss, or could use recognition for their awesomeness.

I am so glad we started this tradition!

However, things have changed since our first community quilting adventure.

Now and days we don’t hold Quilt Block Drive Thrus. But we do have pick up and drop off bins at all the city events we attend.

There, people can see finished blocks, finished quilts, as well as pick up and drop off any blocks.

Easy Peasy!

It does require a little time, and a little work but I love the idea of quilts made made by a community for members of that community.

This is a tradition that I hope will never end.

Happy Quilting!

PS: If you want to make a community quilt feel free to use our Courthouse Steps Quilt Block Tutorial.

It makes for easy cutting and sewing. You can find the tutorial HERE.