Northcott Archives - Gray Barn Designs

Memorial Day is just around the corner and that means July 4th is not far behind! I got a jump start on July 4th planning by designing this Patriotic Pinwheels Table Runner.

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The fabric is from the Sweet Land of Liberty Collection designed by Thomas Wood and Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics

I am attracted to fabrics with words and this word fabric…well…it practically jumped off the shelf and into my welcoming arms! Pinwheels are another favorite of mine, so why not combine my faves into a great July 4th table runner?

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Below is a bird’s eye view of the finished table runner. If you are a beginning quilter, our step by step instructions will help guide you through the pinwheel making process.

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You can download the pattern by clicking on this link:

Patriotic Pinwheels GBD 07 06 18

We’ll be posting this pattern to the Fave Quilts website as well. There will be plenty of July 4th quilting inspiration on Fave Quilts so be sure to take a look!

I bought lots of extra Sweet Land of Liberty fabric so I’ll get back to work and make a few more table runners for Christmas gifts. Yes, it’s not too early to start thinking about such things!

When our ship docked in Juneau, the weather greeted us with a misty, cold rain. No problem…we made lemonade from lemons…especially while on vacation!

Port of Juneau, Alaska

Since Juneau is the capital of Alaska, we decided the Alaska State Museum might be a good place to escape the rain and spend some time immersed in Alaskan heritage. A recreated life size eagle’s nest greeted us just inside the entrance…nice start! Things just kept getting better!

Alaska State Museum Exhibit, Juneau

The exhibits inside the museum include tributes to the Native peoples of Alaska who have rich, diverse histories and cultures. The colors in these masks were striking and beautiful.

Alaska State Museum Exhibit, Juneau

These woven baskets were exquisite! The colors and designs were bright, cheery and looked a bit quilty!

Alaska State Museum Exhibit, Juneau

After spending several hours in the museum, I found the Changing Tides Fabric & Needle ART Gift Store where I encountered the art of Barbara Lavallee for the first time. After just visiting the museum and then seeing Barbara’s work, I was totally enchanted by her designs! Her depictions of Eskimo women celebrating every day life events are colorful and joyful!

Barbara’s prints have been translated into fabric panels and complimenting fabrics for quilting. The Changing Tides shop had a nice selection of Barbara’s panels and after much deliberation, I decided to make a wallhanging from the fabrics in the Eskimo Snow Collection.

I can’t wait to start working on my wallhanging! Every time I look at the fabric, I smile as I remember a rainy but dreamy day in Juneau.

Museum + Fabric…what a winning combination! Here’s one more picture to bring color and joy to your day!