a new liturgical piece--ordinary time stole for a new pastor

I had retired from making liturgical pieces. I find them taxing to make in the over-thinking I do in how they will look from a distance and close up, symbolism, how to personalize them, how to make them meaningful. It takes a lot out of me!

This spring when Rev. Nickerson joined our pastoral staff, the church asked me to make one as a gift from the congregation and, though overwhelmingly busy with work, stepped in as I had some ideas.

Ordinary time is a special time in the liturgical calendar as there is nothing special going on! That appeals to me. How precious ordinary time is.

The color for ordinary time is green. Liz said she favors green on the blue/green side of it and I found a lovely duckegg colored silk from Mood. It is a shot silk. so from different angles it looks dull green to vivid turquoise.  
Because she focuses on family ministry, I liked the idea of duckegg as the children tend to follow her like baby ducks.
I asked for verses/imagery to think of and she mentioned loving verses of eagles on wing and of solid rock foundations.

The piece is quilted with 4 rows of thread making a trinity of channels that look like thermals that eagles glide upon. The lining is a lovely striped linen that reminds me of the limestone wall of St Pauls in the chancel.  

See what I mean that these take a lot out of me? A joy, but, a lot.

My time was limited to work on this by Installation Sunday, so I put out word to church friends who are good with a needle to meet me in the balcony with their thimbles to help with the handwork of the binding. We sewed through the second hymn of the service to get it finished in time for the installation after the sermon. Sneaked it up the side aisle.

Members of the congregation signed lining at the reception and I like the idea of them embracing with love. I have a few people select tiny buttons and choose where to place them. 
Ordinary objects representing seeds in ordinary time.

Driven Rain: 16-patch chain, top completed, block and top construction tutorial

Driven Rain: a 16-patch chain
Top completed 2023
96 by 80 inches
120 blocks set 10 across and 12 down
Block finishes 8 inches
Piece count: 1920 total: 480 solid, 1440 scrap

I had let a pile of scraps build up, mainly from taking in other people's fabrics. After several sessions cutting them down, my 2 1/2 inch squares darks and brights bins (two) were topped off and that is my trigger to make a plan to use lots of them.

I keep these size bins active:
2 1/2 inch squares, 2 inch squares, 2 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch rectangles, 1 1/2 inch squares
-Lights/neutrals
-Darks/brights
-30's repros
-Solids
I keep the pieces stacked. This helps me look along the edges for colors I am looking for. Also keeps the pieces from getting wrinkled. Each bin is a quilt ready to happen.

This time I went with a chain of squares in the midst of the darks/brights. I again chose Kona Ice Frappe (SKU# K001-1173). It stands out well in the chaos..

Bins before this quilt

Bins after this quilt!

16-patches are my go-to for both efficiency and creativity. I love this block.

For each block make 4 pairs of scraps and add a solid

Then add a scrap to the bottom of two and to the top of two

Make units then half blocks, pressing units as indicated 

do not press the half blocks

Make blocks by rotate one half block.
Press blocks to one side

Take two blocks, rotate bottom one and sew into pairs

Sew pairs of blocks into fours

Press joining seams in one direction and rotate right one to make into units of 8 blocks

Make 15 units of 8 blocks and lay out into three rows of 5 units

Quilt is 10 blocks across, 12 blocks down, 120 total blocks.
My design--use at your pleasure.

Backing is by Miriam Bos for Dear Stella

burdock, top completed

Burdock
90 by 80 inches
90 blocks set 9 down and 10 across
Block finishes 8 by 10 inches

My block piecing directions are here.
*NOTE, I kept all blocks oriented with the burs section pressed south throughout my layout.
This is not required, but helps it all lay flatter.

Assembly 
Set aside 10 blocks.

Remaining 80 blocks
Press half with to the burs, half to the sides.
*Note, the pressed in blocks do not like to be pressed in. I do this mainly to nest, and allow the centers of the blocks to twist back to their prefered status. Twisted sisters seams I call them!
Pair and piece vertically into twos then four vertical block units. alternating the pressings so they are pressed in then out.
Set aside 10 of the units.

Take ten 4-block units and pair into five 8-block units, pressing the left one up and the right one down, and sew. Lay out these 5 units for the top portion of the quilt.

Take remaining 10 units and the 10 set aside blocks. Press those single blocks towards the burs and sew one onto the bottom of each unit.

There are now ten 5-block units
Pair these to make five 10-block units, again pressing the left of the pair up and the right one down.
Lay these five 10-block units out to be the bottom portion of the quilt.

Sew the units into rows, press top row to the right and bottom row to the left and sew the two rows together.
Everything will nest.

My design, use at your pleasure.

Backing by Miriam Bos for Dear Stella