I have a family of firefighters – six of them – ranging from 30 years retired to the youngest taking fire science classes in college. The dry lighting in California has created some horrific fire storms this season. I created this quilt to honor our firefighters. I call this quilt Forest Fire. The Pattern is Confetti Star by Material Girlfriends and the fabric is a new ombré by Michael Miller. This burned up hill is down and around the corner from where I live in Clayton Ca.
My cousin is a super bad-ass Cal Fire Fighter. Directing from the skies and jumping out of helicopters. Yep. Wow.
This is my nephew Chris, a Cal Fire Fighter taking a break to eat. Their gear is heavy and it is back breaking exhausting work.
My newest quilt is ‘too hot to handle’. Want to know how we achieved the look? We started with 2 yards of Michael Miller’s Ombré Orange.
First I cut my 2 yards of ombré fabric into 10” squares, until I had 24. Then I cut my black yardage into 10” squares, also 24. I am blessed with an Accuquilt that can cut my 10” squares for me. One strip of 11” accordion fold and presto I have four perfect 10” squares in perfect color harmony.
I cut up the 10” Ombré square paired with the black as per the direction in the Confetti Start pattern. I made one block at a time keeping my fabrics organized.
After the blocks were sew and squared to 8 1/2”, it was time to play with the different layouts. When I was down to two favorite options, I gave my sister a call to see what her preferences were. She was the one that said my Halloween quilt looked like a Forest Fire and the little triangles looked like burning trees! Oh my. Well, yes it does.
Once the top was done, I began to play with ideas for quilting the quilt. I had a little idea book that had flames that I thought would be awesome.
And of course I just love using Minky for my backing. There just isn’t anything softer than Michael Miller’s rosebud swirling minky, this time in an orange. I used orange Aurifil thread to quilt it.
Black binding sewn on by machine. That’s a photo of Dad in the background. He is a retired fire engineer from Livermore-Pleasanton Fire.
Do you have a ‘hunka hunka burning love’ you want to make a quilt for? We have a few kits available. Check out www.MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com
When Smoke Get in Your Eyes
For those that have lost everything to a fire, choose a different color. Orange and Black will be too heart-wrenching. They don’t need a reminder of flames. You can cool it off with any of the other fabulous Ombré color choice by Michael Miller.
Check your local quilt guilds for places to donate quilts to fire victims in your area. All your prayers for victims and protection for our firefighters are greatly appreciated.
Happy quilting!!
Lora
