Celebration of Freedom

Today we're showing one of our favorite red, white and blue quilts.  Judy Laquidara designed and made the "Celebration of Freedom" quilt in 2005. The quilt became the focal point of an auction by The Defense Credit Union Council, with the proceeds going towards the Pentagon Memorial Fund. The quilt brought $4,595 at auction --- a DCUC record for a single item!

We love the vibrant star design in the center of the quilt, and the fourteen interconnected sawtooth stars. See the detail, below, including the fabulous machine quilting. Isn't it beautiful?

The star centers were fussy cut from the star-and-bunting fabric shown below.

We're excited to announce that Judy is revealing the directions for "Celebration of Freedom", with a new and different border... today on her  blog, the Patchwork Times. The Patchwork Times is loaded with quilting tutorials, recipes (she loves to cook), and - of course - quilt patterns. We had a chance to interview Judy about "Celebration of Freedom", and about her love of quilting:

Quilt Inspiration: What was your inspiration for Celebration of Freedom?

Judy Laquidara: The fabrics were part of the Moda Challenge for 2005 (I think that was the year). The packet contained 4 or 5 different fat quarters and the challenge was to create an original quilt using those fabrics, plus more of any of those lines.

Q.I.: The design is quite distinctive. How did the design come about? 

Judy Laquidara: I design using Electric Quilt software. I find it harder to design a quilt with a specific quilt in mind and prefer to design a quilt, then choose the fabric. Actually I cannot remember how that particular design developed. Usually my designs happen just by playing with a block or two, adding sashing, and working those elements until the design pleases me.

Q.I.: Have you made other red, white and blue quilts? 

Judy Laquidara: I have. Here are a few links:  Finish #3, Finish #4, and Quilt for Fort Hood.

Q.I.: What is your favorite part/element of the quilt? 

Judy Laquidara:  I love it all! In the evenings I sit and "doodle" with Electric Quilt and do most of my designing then. I look forward to that in the evenings when I'm sitting with no pressure to finish a project. I love the piecing. There are times when all I want to do is piece even if projects waiting to be quilted are piling sky high. I love the quilting and once I get a quilt loaded on the longarm, I don't want to stop until it's done. I don't mind the binding but I often let the quilts needing binding pile up. The good thing about binding is that once it's done, I have a finished project! Of course, buying fabric is lots of fun too!

Q.I.:  Thanks so much for your inspiring work and for your blog.... we love reading the Patchwork Times!