This past fall, my mom introduced me the National Quilt Museum’s School Block Challenge.  The challenge is for school age students to learn the art of quilting and put those skills into action.  Its an effort of passing the skill onto the next generation.  The students would be given three fabrics that all would need to be used and could complete a block using any method of their choosing.   Throw in a few awards, and my two girls were immediately interested.  Within a few days of hearing about it, I sent in the request for a challenge packet.

It took several weeks to hear back.  Just when I thought that we wouldn’t get a kit, ours came in the mail.  It was one kit for two participants with a note stating that the fabric included wasn’t as much as normally given but due to the increased participation this year, it was what they were able to send out.  It would necessitate more creativity.

Designing

Ruthie had been contemplating for weeks about her block.  Inspired by a recent painting that Abby had done in our home school co-op, she decided that she wanted to do a lighthouse.

I wasn’t quite sure how to draw up a pattern that would match her initial inspiration.  So we set out to use her inspiration as a foundation,  and we looked for a block pattern that had already been created.  Thankfully we found one.  The challenge of paper piecing was large.  I gave her a short tutorial, we watched a how to video, and we got to work.

Abby had been interested but her desire to learn had not been focused.  She decided she wanted to make a block with flowers in a field with the sun shining.  I knew I wouldn’t find a block so we decided that applique would be her method of creation.  She drew out her picture, traced out each piece, cut, and then I helped her press.  Fascinated by the stitch offerings on my machine, she chose which ones she liked and started to sew.  Having never sat down to a machine previously, she did a fabulous job.

With our fabric limited and having to be shared, it was imperative that we try to use it   most efficiently.  As I am an avid follower of Bonnie Hunter and her new book, String Fling was soon to be released, I gave Ruthie the idea of making the most of a small amount of fabric.  She decided to give string piecing a shot.  Within a few days, her block came to be.  Her confidence growing as she placed each piece.

I sent in the blocks and we waited.

Fast forward a few weeks.  Sitting in the van one evening, I read through my emails.  I opened an email and was pleasantly surprised to read that Ruthie had received second place in the 5th – 8th grade category.  We were all thrilled!  Following a few tears for Abby, a few moments of teaching for all the kids about winning, losing, and participating, we called my mom to share the wonderful news.

The Results are in!

This weekend, the School Block Challenge blocks go on display at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.  We headed North to see both girls’ blocks on display.  I am so proud of their willingness to participate,  to challenge themselves, and their stick to it attitude to see it to completion.

The above 9 blocks are the first, second, and third place winners in the three age categories. K – 4, 5 – 8th, and 9th – 12th. The grand prize winner is below.