October is for OCRACOKE!
This picture is one of my favorite pictures I have ever shot with my iPhone over my shoulder as we flew into W95, Ocracoke airfield. You can see vehicles parked in front of Howard’s Pub, and the lighthouse in the distance.
Dennis and I try to visit Ocracoke as often as possible, even if it’s just for Sunday lunch. We love the land, the ocean, and the people of Ocracoke dearly. I am “Island Time” Quilting because of Ocracoke. I have warned Dennis that if he doesn’t complete life with me, my final years will be on Ocracoke.
If you feel inclined to pray, please lift up this sweet fishing and tourism community on our Outer Banks. Ocracoke has its own quilt block, the Ocracoke Cracker block, as seen in the first picture. It’s traditionally set on point with blue corners, four narrow strips set with a red strip in the third position. I would love to do a quilt drive for OI, especially using the Ocracoke Cracker block, which will add up fast.
Here’s the scoop on how to make #ocracokecrackerquilt blocks:
(1) Cut 2” strips in four colors, with red and blue in the center. The two outside strips can be beige, white, yellow, green, even purple or orange! Just make sure red/blue in the center.
(2) Sew a strip set, and press seams in one direction.
(3) Crosscut into 6.5” squares. Trim your outside strips if necessary. I got 3 blocks from each 21” strip set.
(4) Cut a variety of blue 5.5” squares, and then on the diagonal to make HSTs. Sew on opposite sides of the strip set, centering the point on the center seam. Press, trim, and sew on remaining sides.
(5) Trim block to 9” unfinished (leaving good 1/4” seams at the points).
I think the variety is what will make these quilts sing, so I would love your blocks mailed to me so that we can mix them up into gorgeousness. But if you want to finish an entire quilt, I would appreciate that so much! If you want to help piece tops or quilt or donate backing fabric or help in any way, I would love that, too. There are approximately 1500 residents on Ocracoke Island, many of whom are now homeless. I am able to deliver the quilts myself, personally, to the residents of the island, over the next several months. Let’s see how the fall quarter goes, and then we’ll make a 2020 plan!
I am envisioning a quilt containing 42 blocks, which is about 50x60” without borders. I am hoping for #comfortquilts more than replacing bed linens, if you know what I mean.
Mail blocks to:
#quiltsforocracoke
Island Time Quilting
1524 Sugar Creek Rd.
Winterville, NC 28590
Thank you, dear ones. Continue to pray for my sweet Ocracoke. For those of you who aren't familiar with how Hurricane Recovery can go, I spoke with a sweet family we served in Friendswood, TX in March 2018 (after the devastation from Harvey in 2017) last night. They hope to get the kitchen installed in their home in October, TWO YEARS LATER after Harvey flooded their home. Ocracoke's recovery isn't a one-month process. I am dedicated to taking quilts to Ocracoke regularly over the next several years, Lord willing. The purpose of a #comfortquilt is to let the recipients' know how they are loved, how they are prayed for, and how much we believe in them, even when life is hard. My daughter is currently designing a label for the project, and I hope we can successfully show Ocracoke that they are in all our hearts.
#islandtimequilting
