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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA Unique Twist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What made From Rags to Stitches so fun was that it was made from re-purposed items such as a bra, a men\u2019s tie, shoestrings, loose threads, garment labels, upholstery fabric samples, feed sacks, mesh produce bags, jeans, and zippers. Underneath each Dutch Doll figure, is the story behind that square. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flora was\ninspired for her unique design from her quilting journey which started when she\nwas in her 40\u2019s after growing up watching her mom quilt in the 50\u2019s, 60\u2019s and\n70\u2019s. \u201cIt seems that I have NEVER discarded a scrap of fabric in my\nlife\u2014whether it was used for a garment or a quilt. When my wonderful mom passed\naway, I brought all HER scraps to my house and added them to MY\nalready-enormous collection. As I did so, it dawned on me that I had quite a\n\u201cfabric history\u201d and\u2014thus\u2014my FABRIC AUTOBIOGRAPHY began developing in my mind.\nBecause I had slept under a Dutch Doll quilt during my entire childhood, I\nstitched these quilt blocks in that shape. This quilt design actually DOES\nreflect the fabric periods in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took\nFlora three years (from the time she began stitching) to finish From Rags to\nStitches. <\/em>She didn\u2019t set any goals pertaining to when she wanted it\ncompleted. For each quilt block, Flora says she had to learn and re-learn LOTS\nabout free-motion quilting and other techniques. And along her journey, she\nkept reminding herself that \u201cquilting should be FUN!!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flora also received $500 from Sponsor, Pfaff<\/a>, for Night Trawlers<\/em>, the Third Place Winner in the Fantasy Category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding Night Trawlers, <\/em>Flora said that she likes to challenge herself with the \u201cimpossible\u201d regarding quilting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years, she has toured various art galleries around the world and she \u201cgradually\u201d became enthralled with the idea of \u201cquilting\u201d a famous painting. She wanted the artist to be LIVING, so she took some time to explore current artists. By chance, she stumbled on Robert Connett\u2019s work<\/a>, and he \u201cvery graciously\u201d encouraged Flora to stitch one of his paintings. He gave her several choices to pick from and she thought that Night Trawlers<\/em> was one she could build some curriculum skills around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After transferring the design onto fabric, Flora began exploring how it could be turned in to a wall quilt. Flora commented that it provided a \u201cFABULOUS\u201d opportunity to do free-motion quilting AND creative borders. She said, \u201cI loved every second of making this quilt, and I especially like the dangling curriculum cards!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n How did Flora react when she found out she was a double quilt winner at Road 2019? \u201cI\u2019m betting you heard my loud squealing (here in Tennessee) all the way out there in California!!!! Just getting ACCEPTED in the ROAD show was thrilling! Getting TWO quilts accepted was cartwheel-turning!! Getting TWO RIBBONS resulted in that high-decibel-cheering you likely heard on your side of the states! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What did Flora plan to do with her prize money from being a double quilt winner? Flora replied that she considers herself fortunate to be able to win quilt awards, so she has always \u201cgiven back\u201d the money she has received from these endeavors. The recipients vary\u2014from her own local quilt guild, to college scholarships, to helping family members with their struggles. Flora views this as a \u201cpay it forward\u201d transaction, and she is enjoying seeing the benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flora\u2019s loves quilting. \u201cI have the BEST HOBBY IN THE WORLD! How fortunate can one woman be??? My goal is to continue making FUN quilts in a JOYful manner\u2014and hopefully continuing with interactive design styles, especially when YOUNG LEARNERS can get involved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"double](\"https:\/\/road2ca.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/most-humorous2-1024x683.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuilting a Famous Painting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Joy of Being a Double Quilt Winner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Giving Back<\/h3>\n\n\n\n