As I write this blog, I’m receiving text messages from my husband who is volunteering as a peacekeeper at Portland’s Pride event this weekend. Today, admitted members of the Alt Right group are carrying banners and signs stating “God Hates Fags” and being pretty aggressive in their antagonism, even pushing and mocking my husband for standing there wearing a rainbow bracelet. A proud parent of the most amazing kid ever, my brain immediately goes to LGBTQ youth receiving these messages and how truly damaging this could be. The youth suicide rates for LGBTQ kids are markedly higher than straight youth and like these messages on this day could sadly be a trigger for someone. It blows my mind that grown adults could be so reckless with human life.
So how do we combat this? By showing our pride even more, combatting this negativity by providing safe spaces and positive messages as often as we can. My challenge to anyone reading this is share your LGBTQ pride and support if you haven’t because now more than ever these messages are necessary.
And like I know making pride pillows is like so small, but sometimes my posts get real traction on the interweb and if I can impact even one person through this post to let them know they are loved and life is amazing and that it gets better then maybe something small like a pillow can make an impact.
These pillows actually began a few months ago on a day when I was feeling a little blue and was reminded of this panel of fabric from the Letters Capsule that said “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE.”
So I quilted it up with Aurifil 80 wt Pale Pink, not knowing what it was for, and boy did I feel amazing after I was done.
And when I was done, I put the two 18″ x 18″ panels on my WIP shelf and called it a day. Fast forward to a couple month later, Sharon from Color Girl Quilts sent me this amazing Classic Curves Ruler that allows you to cut 10 different sized curves in one ruler. Like I was blown away when I opened the box by how smart this tool was. And much like most of my projects, one day I had the idea to make a pride pillow and wanted to use rainbow colors with a non-traditional layout and ding ding ding I knew using this ruler would be perfect.
So I paired eight Pure Elements Solids with one of the solid smooth denims and used the 4.5″ curve to make a four circle panel.
And I quilted this one up with Aurifil Aluminum 80 wt.
Next I decided this panel needed a large circle complement, so I used the 8.5″ curve on the ruler to cut out the shapes from the eight solids and voila.
And it wasn’t until I quilted this panel that I remembered the other ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE panels and was like oooh em gee these are meant to be.
So without further ado, here are my two 2017 LGBTQ Pride Pillows that basically have two fronts and no backs.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: HELP NEEDED
To add to this post, Naomi Clarke, a student doing research for her dissertation toward her MSC at Bristol University on the benefits of sewing and asked me to spread word. She’s focusing on the 40 and under age group since there’s a void in research on this age group, so if you or you know someone 40 or under who sews, click on this link and participate please. And before you get salty for being over 40 and wanting to participate, I’m 41 so I couldn’t either and too much salt is bad for us.
LOVE IS LOVE
So thanks for reading this blog post. More than any other post I’ve written, I encourage you to pin and share on your social media platforms to spread the message of love and acceptance and inclusion and pride. You never know who might receive it that really needed to get it just at that moment.
Stay positive!
Awesome post! You’ve inspired me to take the two blank pillow forms I have and rustle up some pillows for the couch! I knownit seems like a small thing, you see, I have a 13 year old daughter with loads of friends who are in and out all the time….our house is a safe place, but now they will know for sure! Go YOU and thanks for helping me think!!! ❣️?❣️
Well said!
I’ve never understood the hatred and aggressive attempts to shun our fellow citizens who happen to be LGBTQ.
You might see the pillows as a “small thing,” but it is small things that make up the bigger portraits of our lives.
And kudos to you and your husband for not backing down to those who would deny you your rights and your happiness.
Oh, and while we’re all here: Happy Father’s Day to you both!!
Well done, and well said. Happy Father’s Day to both of you
As the mother of two gay sons I am so grateful for your post. My husband and I have always loved and accepted our sons as we have no issue at all with anyone’s sexual orientation, however we have seen first hand the cruelty that many in the LGBT community face everyday. I especially loved your message that we need to show our pride even more. Thanks for being a positive role model in these difficult times.
VERY cute!
Thanks for being an advocate, for sharing love in the face of hate and for staying positive. Why is it so hard for people to respect everyone’s rights? Happy Father’s Day to all the dads!
1. These are beautiful.
2. Thank you for sharing yourself with the world.
3. I love you, Matthew! You’re a beautiful soul. Lots of love to your family too.
Love you and your saltiness, my dear Mathew! Thank you for sharing your strength and calling attention to how we can each lift up those around us in small and big ways. Hugs~Libby
You are such an inspirational advocate and although I’m a well grounded Mum I find myself in an unknown (parenting) area with my questioning teen. He’ll never know but reading your experiences strengthen my resolve and give me a bit extra courage, which indirectly help him and I love the little quips of humour and sillies that you can’t help but share. You are a beautiful person and I’m flzd to have found you via the AGF family ? Lou (flipflop)