Friendships are a blessing and during this Thanksgiving Holiday I wanted to take a moment to say how it is so great to have all the wonderful friendships in my life. Every one is unique and different, which makes life so fun and enjoyable. I designed this quilt from the stories told in the novel “Charlotte’s Web” by E. B. White. Despite their differences, the two blocks are woven together in harmony. The quilt has a cross block which symbolized the spider web. Charlotte spun encouraging words above Wilbur’s pen to save his life. Charlotte chose words such as, “Radiant”, “Terrific”, “Some Pig”. In using these words she tried to make her friend feel important and valued, to brighten his spirits, and give him honor and dignity. The star in a star block symbolized the stardom and support for Wilbur. It was so fun designing this quilt using the story of Charlotte’s Web as my inspiration.

Friendship Crossings

The quilt pattern for Friendship Crossings is in the January/February issue of McCall’s Quilting. It will be appearing at your local news stands, quilt shops, bookstores, and mail boxes in the next few days. It can also be ordered or downloaded from the Quilting Daily’s web site.

A little back story about Friendship Crossings

I grew up on a farm in rural Iowa and enjoyed being outside. We had all kinds of animals on our farm, pigs, cow, cats, dogs, etc. When I was young I read Charlette’s Web and was so touched by the wonderful story. It was not only entertaining, but taught many life lessons – such as responsibility, tolerance, coping with fear, loss, and loneliness. I am now in my 60’s. I look back on my childhood with all the events which have happened and how this wonderful novel has prepared me for things which have happened in my life over the years. I am so thankful for all the friendships that have come and gone. Each one has filled my time on this earth with both joy and sorrow. As with all of us as we get older, we experience the loss of a dear friend, parent, or loved one. But in the end, we feel so thankful and blessed we had these friendship be a part of our life.

A favorite excerpt from E. B. White

“Why did you do all this for me?’ he asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”
E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

I love to share my quilt patterns and designs with others. Some of you I know and some of you I have never met, but it is a creative thing which brings me joy and I hope you also find joy when you create a quilt from fabric and thread.

My Island Batik Country Charm Collection

In designing “Friendship Crossing” I decided to use my Spring/Summer 2023 Island Batik Original collection called Country Charm. A lovely collection of warm and inviting hues of rust, blues, browns, and greens.

About the quilt

Friendship Crossing is for an intermediate skilled quilter. The quilt consists of two blocks – a star block and an “X” block. The quilt shown in McCall’s Quilting finishes to 65″ x 77″ but there are additional fabric requirements available in the magazine if you would like to make it anywhere from a table runner (29″ X 53″) up to a king size quilt (101″ X 101″).

All the instructions to make Friendship Crossings can be found beginning on page 33 of the January/February 2024 issue of McCall’s Quilting.

I hope you like this pattern I have designed and will make this time treasured quilt.

Enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with all your family and friends.

Happy Quilting!