Gatlinburg Quilt Exchange

Remember way back when I told you about six high school girls (1974 High School girls), still getting together most years.  Last year it was four of us, one of our friends who did not make the trip was going through some life changes.  Donna said I want to make a quilt for Val.  Then I said I think we should figure a way for all of us to be part of that quilt.  Everyone thought that was a good idea.  We slept on the idea and tossed around how to do it, send the quilt between each of us and each do a piece  (that didn’t sound too fun).   I had an idea, let’s each make a quilt using the same pattern with different fabrics.  At our next get together we could exchange quilts and we would each have a quilt to remember our friendship.

In the group of four deciding to do the quilts we have Donna, who has been quilting forever.  Dudek who like me has been quilting for 5 or so years.  Then we have Pernie, she has never quilted but was in.  She doesn’t live to far from Donna so they are going to quilt together.  Dudek and I each agreed to make two quilts.  Over the months we decided Gatlinburg in the spring might be a great place to meet up, five driving from Michigan and me heading over from SC.

I put my quilts together last fall, Sanctuary Layer Cake and Crew Paris

The four of us had discussions of how we would exchange the quilts.  We didn’t want anyone to end up with the quilt they made.

Dudek made these great labels for each of the quilts and sent to us to add to the quilt backs.

Patti shared the news with us that she had just divorced and was having a rough time, perfect time for her to get a quilt (we had no idea there would be that need).

The Michigan girls split their drive into two days and I made mine in one.  As soon as Donna walked into the cabin, she said to me when are we doing the quilts.  We need to do them now.  She was so excited.  She said she had a plan on how to exchange them, number each quilt (which were wrapped up), then each pull a number.  We just had to be sure that we didn’t have the quilt number of the ones we made.  After we pulled numbers, of course I had pulled mine.  Pernie said I’ll switch with you, perfect.

Here are the six quilts all hung together.  Each the same and each so different.

 

 

        Donna got Sunday Stroll Bonnie & Camille Moda and loved each fabric.

 

      Patti got the Dance in Paris  Zen Chic  Moda.  She was thrilled and did shed some tears.  She claimed it was perfect and love the gold metallic in the print and backing.  Once I had received the layer cake, the metallic wasn’t my favorite part.  Just goes to show you it was a perfect match for Patti.

 

   My quilt was done by Pernie,  Angels Pollinate Jessica Swift Art Gallery Fabrics, remember this was the first quilt she ever made.  It was beautiful.  But over the course of the first night I could tell she really wanted to keep her first quilt.

 

 

     Pernie got the quilt by Dudek, Belle Isle Minnick & Simpson Moda.  As a side note, my husband and I got married in Detroit on Belle Isle.  So I had a soft spot for that fabric.  Knowing how much it would mean to Pernie, I asked her if she would like to keep her first quilt.  She said she would have liked to, but wanted me to have it.  I told her I still have my first quilt and I wanted her to have hers as well, so we switche.

   Val who just moved back to Michigan got Sanctuary 3 sisters Moda.  She said it was a perfect match for her guest room that she just had painted.

Dudek got Cottage Bleu Robin Pickens Moda.  She was thrilled with her quilt.

 

Here is a picture of the six of us at the Aquarium in Gatlinburg.

A few of the beautiful scenery around the area.

Our next meetup will be our annual trip to Dudek’s lakehouse in July, where we sit, relax and laugh!!

 

Linking up with some quilting friends:

Finished or Not Friday – Alycia Quilts

Friday Foto Fun – Powered by Quilting

Brag About Beauties – From Bolt to Beauty

Off the Wall Friday – Nina Marie Sayre

Peacock Party – Wendys Quilts and More