We are excited to announce a social justice collaborative project which gives us a chance to take action on one important issue, banning books and the restriction of information. This project, led by Berene Campbell of Happy Sew Lucky, will offer an opportunity for participants to make a book spine block and utilize their skills in embroidery or FPP to decorate the block with the book title, author, and any relevant symbols. Ignite your creativity and collaborate with your peers to add your book to the figurative bookshelf.
The symbol we will create is based on Nea Onnim, the Adinkra symbol for knowledge, life-long education, and a continued quest for knowledge. The quilt design will be made up of pieced and embroidered book spines, stacked together as if on a book shelf, coming together to form a Nea Onnim symbol. This project intends to serve as a form of activism to raise awareness for banned books and the impact these challenges have on intellectual freedom and access to information. Visit this source for more information on Adinkra symbols.
To register, you must complete this form and pay the $20 participation fee in the PMQG Shop. Registration closes end of day on July 31. Click here to view the book titles selected by other members.
This project requires working knowledge of embroidery, hand sewing, or an intermediate level of experience with FPP in order to complete your block. Basic instruction and tips will be given by Berene on Saturday morning but you will need your block planned before then. There will also be a planning session on Zoom for assistance and advice, on Thursday, August 1st in the evening. You may also want to consider how long your book title is, to be sure you can complete by the deadline.
You can use your own alphabet to piece and Berene has offered a discounted price for any of her alphabets to use specifically with this project. The alphabet letters should finish at 2-2.5 inches tall. To order one of Berene’s alphabet patterns, register to participate for the Knowledge Project in the PMQG shop. In your confirmation you will receive a link to the Happy Sew Luck Shop to view the choices and the code to enter for a 50% discount.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Make a plan for your block: Now > July 31st
Register to participate: Closes July 31st
Pay your participation fee in the PMQG Shop by July 31st
Join our planning session on Zoom: August 1st in the evening
PMQG will confirm your block choices for book title and fabric color with you by August 3rd
Complete your pre-work, consider how you will transfer your design to your fabric, collect necessary thread, needles, hoop, solid fabric in the registered color
Join the community building sewing session on Saturday, August 17
For some participants, join the sewing session to piece the proverb and the quilt top on Sunday, August 18
The quilt will be quilted and bound, finished
The finished quilt will go on a traveling roadshow to be viewed by the public in libraries, galleries, and public spaces to raise awareness of this important issue
Ultimately, the quilt will be donated or raffled for charity at a later date
