The 70273 Project

My one-year anniversary of this blog passed a few days ago. It went by quietly, but I did reflect on it a bit.

As I do many things, I just kinda jumped into the blog thing. I had given it some thought, and my son kept telling me I should, and one night I just did. Armed with little knowledge of what I was doing, I just quit thinking about it and made it happen.

While I could go into reflections after a year of blogging, I’d rather talk about the joy I’ve had in meeting other quilters and friends in the blog world.

Let me introduce you to two. Somewhere along, I came across Lori East Quilts. Isn’t it funny how sometimes you try to remember how you met someone and you can’t, because you feel like you’ve known her forever? Lori makes me laugh out loud at times when I read her posts, or makes me realize that she and I have more things in common than I would have guessed, or she teaches me new ways of thinking on things. She is a creative, fun soul who loves the color red. What’s not to like?

Through Lori, I have met Jeanne Hewell-Chambers, and I’d like to share with you the project that she has undertaken and what I’m doing to help (and you can too). While I’m just getting to know Jeanne, I have been following her blog this past year and find her to be a warm and cheerful lady who obviously loves a challenge!

The 70273 Project. Jeanne was starting a new year, and had some goals for the year in mind. Little did she know what was about to commence. While watching a multi-series documentary with her family, and her “sister-in-love” Nancy, her goal for the next couple of years was changed within minutes.

70,273 people murdered. A quilt project to commemorate. White fabric signifying innocent victims; red fabric, the death sentence. I could explain further, but Jeanne does it so much better. You can read a brief overview here, or click on the link above for more of the story. Better yet, go spend some time on Jeanne’s site and her links to the history behind this project. Learn how you, too, can be involved.

I’m participating by making some blocks. They are simply done and take so little time to do. You don’t even have to know how to sew. Blocks can be made with paint, fabric markers, ribbon. Jeanne has a few specifications for making these, but they are easy to follow.

If you’re interested in joining me, you can find more information on Jeanne’s fact sheet here. If you’d like a good tutorial on making the blocks, Lori East has done a blog post on that here.

Local friends, if you’d like me to meet with your group and present this project, let me know.

This is a great project if your kids are studying this time in history — keep in mind that you could combine a history lesson, with a sewing lesson, or a painting lesson, etc. Even your littles could make a block with your guidance.

This is a great project for a youth group, or a family group project at your church.

This is a great project for a family reunion, or some other type of gathering.

This is a great project. Period.

70,273 precious people put to death. Life is precious. People are precious. Our differences add to the uniqueness and beautiful fabric of our lives. I’m doing this to commemorate them. Why don’t you join me?

Wendy