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We’re going to kick off a new project as the summer comes to an end and we head back to our sewing rooms.

For the months of September and October we’ll collect blocks with black center strips and bright strings. Following our basic guidelines, we’ll start with a foundation that is cut 10 inches and a center black string cut 2 inches and then add bright strings to finish the block. The center string does NOT have to be a solid but it should be either a tone on tone or solid rather than a multicolored print. Blocks will then be trimmed to 9.5 inches.

Stephanie got an early start and made this top

Here’s another top, this one from the July WI/MN sew-in that inspired us to choose this combination.

And because I still have lots of Homespuns AND I like to offer a second option, you can also send in blocks that use the center black string as described above but finish the blocks with homespun strings.

You can make as many or as few blocks as you’d like to send in, you can compete the top and we’ll find a volunteer to quilt and donate it, or you can make the entire quilt from start to finish and donate it locally.

Of course we always accept blocks made according to the guidelines with our BLUE or RED centers if neither of the above options work for you.

I hope EVERYONE will join in over the next couple months.

Need some ideas for shorter leftover strings? How about a Chinese Coin’s quilt. Here’s one recently finished by Ruthie.

You can find more inspiration and brief instructions for Coins quilts at the links below.

• CC ~ Coins Border
• CC ~ Easy version
• CC ~ Easy version #2
• CC ~ Uneven version

Yesterday in Roberts, WI, we worked on assembling blocks into tops that will be quilted and donated to kids in need this Christmas.

See all our photos from yesterday’s sew-in.

We’ve been doing a lot of work on RWB and lime centered HeartStrings quilts but just look at this lovely one in pastels that Ann made!

Alycia’s been working on some RWB HeartStrings blocks and posted this finished top on her blog today.

I’ve been working on a set too and plan to have my top assembled by the end of the month.

If you’d like to make some blocks for HeartStrings Quilts of Valor or for quilts for veterans, you can click this link for instructions. We accept blocks that will be combined with others we receive into quilts and donated or completed tops that our volunteers will finish and donate. If you are making a top – please make sure that it measures 54 x 72 at a minimum. That’s 48 HeartStrings blocks that are set 6×8.

Several of us are helping Robin make and finish quilts for a Returning Warrior weekend here in Minnesota. This one with the blocks pieced by Kathy and assembled and quilted by Becky is one of my favorites. I love the tiny sashing!

We spent two days tying quilts for a local shelter in Nebraska and working on Quilts of Valor.

View photos

Jay and Carol hold up one of the QOV tops pieced

Yes, we’re having fun tying quilts to be donated to a local shelter. Tomorrow we’ll also be working on Quilts of Valor.

Every now and then I get a surprise box of HeartStrings tops from the Oroville CA group — seven tops were sent this time by Betty.

These will be quilted or tied by volunteers and donated.

Thanks so much!

Brenda sent me a photo of a HeartStrings quilt and some comments about it in an email. I love how they incorporated the logo.

You can find instructions to make our Logo quilt by clicking this link.

“I attend a small church in Oklahoma City. We have a quilting group there and make quilts to donate and also quilts for some of our members. We were asked by our minster to make a quilt to give away at our Easter church service. I knew I wanted our church logo in the center of the quilt but had no idea what pattern I wanted to use. I saw a picture of your quilt in a quilt magazine and loved it. It fit into our theme and was easy enough for some of our beginners to make. Long story short, we made the quilt and it turned out wonderful. Not only was the pattern a heart, our church logo has a heart in the center and the quilting was done in a heart pattern. Thank you so much for your inspiration and willingness to share the pattern.”

Your Sister in Christ, Brenda Jacobs Bethany Church of Christ In Stitches for Christ Quilts