I know. I couldn't believe it either. Polyester pantsuits never looked so good! This was just one of the darling quilts that were on display at the 27th annual community festival for World Relief hosted by the Oregon Mennonite community a couple of weeks ago. This was their first 'quilt challenge' (with proceeds going toward revitalizing a hospital in the Congo). There were many beautiful entries, most of them utilizing long-arm technology, which I admit is completely liberating, but there were still a few hand-stitched blankets that were lovely to see.
In case you can't make out the green card, this quilt is called, "Flower Garden", and it drew me over like a moth to a flame with its bright colors. Upon closer inspection, I realized the materials used were polyester. That was a bit of a surprise, because polyester is not something I ordinarily think of using to make a quilt. Actually, this may be the first poly-quilt I've ever seen. But it works so well and looks amazing. And, this quilt will probably outlast us all! Each of the flower petals were turned under and stitched by hand, by the Fairview Mennonite church ladies.
The quilt hanging next to it is appropriately named, "Something Happy", and was machined pieced and quilted by Heidi F. from Kansas. Seeing both these quilts definitely made me happy.
These are so bright and cheery - they just make me smile!
Posted by: Lorrie | October 12, 2010 at 10:48 AM
The pic of the turkeys above with the fall leaves is a painting waiting to happen!
The quilts look beautiful too;)
Posted by: Sara | October 12, 2010 at 11:16 AM
I am wondering if the sqares were polyester, or the flowers were polyester, or both?
Dee
Reply: Yes, the entire quilt is polyester, even the borders.
Posted by: Dee | October 12, 2010 at 11:47 AM
I ran over here to see the good-looking polyester pant suits. Ha! You're so right, the polyester makes a lovely flower on these quilts.
Posted by: Vee | October 12, 2010 at 12:38 PM
Once I saw the picture of the flowers, I had to laugh at your post title ... Polyester Poppies.
I knew eventually someone would find a great use for polyester, and the cause behind the Mennonite women is fantastic too!
Posted by: Yvette | October 12, 2010 at 01:04 PM
Both just beautiful. I was at the Virginia Mennonite relief sale last weekend and didn't see anything quite that spectacular. I did find a crib-size quilt made with feed-sack patches that I was willing to bid $125 on--it sold for $1900! So much for that!
My grandma made us a quilt when we got married and used polyester patches from some of her old dresses of the 70s and 80s. I loved her dearly, but I'm not so crazy about sleeping under polyester! It's heavy as all get-out, too!
Posted by: Janelle | October 12, 2010 at 03:32 PM
Now I want to go thrifting for polyester. Who would have figured?
Posted by: Jodi | October 12, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Wow - I wouldn't have thought about using polyester as applique material. The most hideous quilt I ever saw was various rectangles of blue and white polyester and it scarred (and scared) me ever since. But this flower quilt is really charming...hmmm...
Posted by: Vicki K | October 12, 2010 at 05:53 PM
OOOOO WEEEE! I think my mom made me an outfit from that green checkered fabric 'back in the day"! Blast from the past.
Love it!
Posted by: DonnaJ | October 12, 2010 at 07:42 PM
My great-grandparents lived in Fairview, Kansas - I guess there's a chance that some of their polyester lives on in that quilt!
Posted by: mjb | October 14, 2010 at 07:21 AM
Oh my gosh what a beautiful, happy quilt and I hate polyester. Love it. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | October 14, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Wow!! What a neat idea. I've seen quilts made from old clothes before, but not like this. Cutting the fabric into a matching shape is so much nicer than a collection of squares. So pretty!
Posted by: Maytina | October 14, 2010 at 08:57 PM
this quilt is great! it's a perfect project for a lot of women working together.
I have a book on Mennonite community quilts, I think, they donated a lot of quilts to the Dutch in worldwar II. A bunch of them is saved and stored.
Posted by: anneke | October 15, 2010 at 01:47 AM
We have a poly "camp quilt" that was made by my MIL years ago... we got married in '76 and at the time she didn't have time to make us a quilt, so she gave us one of their camp quilts... all poly top... it's still in great shape! The back was red flannel.... which I had to replace a year ago. But otherwise... it's really warm and comfy... not as cute as the one above that's for sure... but it keeps us warm. We use it for a blanket under our bed quilt!
Posted by: Jean C. | October 18, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Love your blog! This is not the first time I have seen polyester used in a quilt. Years ago every piece of clothing seemed to be made of that indestructible fabric. My mother-in-law made almost all of her own dresses and it became the fabric of choice. She was also a mountain woman and had learned to quilt at a very young age. She has made many quilts by hand in her day. She lived through the depression and knew how to reuse/recycle and not waste. She made a Trip Around the World Quilt top out of poly squares cut from the remnants of her dress materials. The top was given to my youngest daughter. My mother-in-law is 93 years old now. She suffers from dementia. I wish that she could see this lovely flower quilt. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Susanne Tyree | October 22, 2010 at 12:16 PM