National Quilting Day

Join quilters around the world for the 17th Annual National Quilting Day on March 15, 2008. Whether you celebrate at home, sewing alone, with your quilting group, or having a virtual quilt-a-thon online, it is a wonderful time to remember the tradition of quilt making and all of the contributions that have been made through the heritage of this time honored tradition.

The NQD logo for 2008 is a block called "Eight Hands Around". In her block reference book, Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, Barbara Brackman cites the first publication of the pattern in 1895 or earlier in the Ladies Art Company #149. The Ladies Art Company is considered the very first mail-order quilt pattern company.

NQA began sponsoring National Quilting Day with a resolution passed by members attending the 22nd Annual Show in Lincoln, Nebraska, in June 1991. The third Saturday in March was then officially designated as National Quilting Day. But over the years, observance of National Quilting Day has unofficially been expanded to the whole month of March!

As a special day long celebration, groups often select March 15 and work on a specific themed project. NQA selects their 2008 Special Project and calls it "Happy Birth Day, Baby!" This "Happy Birth Day, Baby!" project has become an annual tradition, and you're invited to extend that tradition to your community by donating a baby quilt for the first baby born on National Quilting Day in your local hospital. Some quilters even provide two quilts. making one for the first boy and one for the first girl.

Instructions are included for their pattern to make a 40" square "Eight Hands Around" baby quilt. Instructions are set up so they can be used as a group "mystery" service project quilt if desired. It's quick to make one for a boy and one for a girl, just by changing the border and center fabrics. Or, the center block would be a perfect place to show off your special appliqué or embroidery.

Please do check out the National Quilting Association website at their home page at: http://www.nqaquilts.org/index.html and let them know what your group did to celebrate the art of giving this year.

PDF baby quilt pattern supplied by the National Quilting Association
2008 Happy Birth Day, Baby!