Education is Key
Each week, as I prepare to write my blog, I look for a unifier, hook or message to guide post. This week it is education is key. So much of what I do involves self education and the education of others. Currently I am educating myself about the fast fashion industry and geo-political history of textiles by reading Sofi Thanbaum’s tome, Worn. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

Education in Community
Education is a key part of my participation in a fiber artist group. The six of us gather via Zoom once a month to share our work, talk art, the business of art and art resources. We learn from each other, as well as commiserate and laugh.


Educating the Next Generation
I believe it is important to pass it forward to others and particularly the next generation. It being your skills and passion. You can guess what I am passionate about. 🙂 I have two children and five grandchildren, none of whom have caught the quilting bug. They appreciate my work, check out my studio, but other than a few one day projects, that is as far as it goes.
But wait… Turns out I have a grand niece, Timmi, who is making her first crib quilt to gift a friend of her mother’s who is expecting. Timmi lives in Los Angelos and I live in Boston. No problem, I am in teacher mode. She has agreed to give the 2023 Rainbow Scrap Challenge a try. Her grandmother, Dawn is my sister and lives next door to Timmi. Thank you Zoom which eliminates distance as an obstacle to education. Thank you, Dawn for agreeing to help.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge is a wonderful way to reinforce the knowledge I have gained over 35 plus years of self study regarding quilting skills and color theory.
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Your scrap challenge block is a gorgeous block. The shades of green are perfectly placed.
Thank you, Kat. I have fun sorting my scraps and puzzling out the ones that will work well with others.
Your work is always inspiring, and I agree that education is the key. Timmi’s quilt is wonderful, a new quilter is born! I love your green block too.
Thank you for sharing, and linking up today!
We shall see what Timmi makes. I designed the quilt on my blog for her as inspiration. She loved the ducks and polka dots. Thought she could have fun embellishing the duck blocks.
Happy to link to your post.
Awesome, Gwyned, that Timmi is making a quilt! The RSC is a great way to make more steady progress, too! I love your first block for October!!!
I’m over the moon about Timmi. Let’s hope she doesn’t fizzle. However, the RSC is a perfect beginner project since the maker can choose how complex or simple to make their blocks.
I love that block design you’re using for RSC. It’s so striking and uses such a good variety of shades of green.
I’ve always been a fan of star blocks. This one is fun since it combines a churn dash with a star. Let’s just say use lime green frequently in my work. Love how it brings sunshine to my artwork.
I too belong to a fibre art group that meets on Zoom once a month and do the same things as your group. It’s so wonderful in so many, many ways.
I’ve belonged to various fiber art and art groups over the years. I love how Zoom extends the geographical range of members.
Yes Gwyned it is true, education is the key.
Your green scrap block is beautiful.
Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Ivani. I’m having fun playing/reinforcing my education with my scrap blocks.
Oh what fun you will have to teach a new quilter!!! enjoy!!
LOVE your green block!!
Thank you for kind comment on my RSC green block. Fingers crossed Timi’s enthusiasm will continue to see at least one block made, if not a whole quilt.
Your niece’s quilt is adorable. Your green quilt is great! I admire your piecing perfection.
I did design Timmi’s quilt for her as a possible example. It’s a treat to put together something fun to fan the interest of a young novice quilter. Thanks for the generous words about my piecing. It isn’t perfection, but for me it is close enough. 🙂
I left a comment on my iPad and it didn’t go thru, even tho it said it did.
Anyway I wanted to say how much I admire your perfect piecing on your pretty green block. I also think it’s wonderful that you will have a young quilter to foster. Her block is adorable.
Kudos on getting you bee quilt into the exhibit. Any protest against Trump is fine with me.
Not sure what didn’t come through, because I did receive a lovely comment from you, Norma.
It’s rare for me to make a social commentary piece, but between Trump and Putin I seem drawn to speak my mind in words and with me art.
Your pup is delightful!
It’s wonderful that Timmi is quilting and what a blessing zoom can be!
Your green block uses lots of different fabrics! Perfect for RSC blocks.
Suki, is my son’s newest addition to the family. I asked if he had any cute pictures of her for my thread painting series. He came through. 🙂
I’m enjoying combining scrap fabrics in fun ways for the 2022 RSC.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.