While shopping at Red Rooster Quilts in Dublin, Ohio, I found this USA map panel. It’s the perfect size for a large pillow that will probably finish around 20 x 20 inches square. These colors work perfectly with our family room color scheme, game on!
I decided to start in the New England states and work my way from east to west, keeping with the history of our nation. I’m outlining every state with a straight stitch…Rhode Island is really tiny!
Since I visited Alaska last year, I am very much in love with this state! I can’t wait to get started on outlining AK! By the time I get there, it will mean I’m almost finished with outline quilting. Wish me luck with outlining all those little Hawaiian Islands!
Back to Opinions Needed:
What is the best way to mark each state I have visited in my travels? Should I add a bead? A sparkle? What would you do?
Well, you could do something as simple as stitching over the letters of each state in a matching thread? Or, if you know the year that you last visited the state, you could stitch that in? Or, you could do something more ambitious like embroider the state flower in each state you’ve visited?
Wow! Good ideas, thanks!
Wow I was going to say mark it with an X but I like Wendy’s ideas much better.
Well X would mark the spot…with quilting stitches of course!
Love this fabric!
I also thought of embroidering the state flower or bird.
Or, there are so many cute buttons that could be used to represent something special about the state. Buttons Galore has things like light houses, palm trees, etc. https://buttonsgaloreandmore.com/
I found some cute star buttons at Very Charms. https://www.verycharms.com/
Now I am liking this button idea! Thanks for sharing the links!
I found that map panel on Amazon and I ordered it. Thanks for sharing this idea.
So glad you found it! Send pics when yours is finished!
I love this pillow! I like the bead idea, especially since some of the New England states are so small.
Yes, some of those states are tiny…but mighty!
I have fabric envy and I *need* that panel!
I like the idea of a little bead on each state you visited as you can continue to add little beads as you visit more states. Maybe some little glass beads in a couple different colors (or the palette of the panel) to keep it interesting (instead of the same color bead over and over again). Great idea on making it into a pillow!
Good idea on using different color beads to make it interesting! Oh no! I have to go bead shopping!
Tierney, Chela found this on Amazon! It’s called “Explore America” by Robert Kaufman. There are two maps per panel. Please share pics if you decide to make this…it’s fun to see what everyone does!
Thank you! I am going to check it out and decide if I must really have it (I think I must lol) 🙂
It’s just too nice to pass up!
There are some really good ideas already mentioned. Personally, I don’t use beads or buttons on the front of a cushion if it is going to be used. I think I would go for embellishing the state abbreviation in glittery thread because I wouldn’t be able to manage acceptable looking quilted birds or flowers, though that’s a marvellous suggestion.
Ohhhh, love the glittery thread idea! Thanks Meg!
Is Hawaii there on your panel? We live in New Zealand and have visited Hawaii twice – such a wonderful place.
Yes, Hawaii is on there, to the right of Alaska. Hawaii is somewhere I would love to go AND New Zealand as well. I have heard it is beautiful!