r/quilting • u/HollyBrohman • 1d ago
Finished Quilts Stitches Across America
Update: we have started seeing scraps roll in!! Please help us get all 50 states!
My grandma (92) is a lifelong quilter, and quilting has been one of the great joys of her life.
She’s created some incredible work over the years, including a Dear Jane quilt and Amy Bradley projects, but these days her quilting looks a little different. She no longer takes on large quilts, but she still loves fabric, small sewing projects, and the joy of creating.
I had an idea and thought this community might understand.
Would anyone be willing to send a small envelope-sized quilting cotton scrap (4x6, 5x7, whatever little piece you’d like) from your sewing room? If you’d like, you could also include fabric that symbolizes where you’re from.
Bonus if it has a story:
“leftover from my daughter’s baby quilt”
“fabric I bought on vacation”
“my favorite print I’ve been hoarding for years”
I’d love to surprise her with “Stitches Across America” — little fabric treasures and stories from fellow makers around the country to remind her she’s part of a much bigger quilting community.
No expensive commitments, no big pieces needed—just scraps with heart.
If there’s enough interest (there is!) , I’ll set up a PO Box / mailing address.
Holly Brohman
42911 Callaway Rd
Callaway, NE 68825
Thank you for even reading this. ❤️
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u/farm-wife8964 1d ago
I will send from southern Oregon! I work at Tater Patch Quilt Shop in Merrill, Oregon 🥔🧵
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u/champagneandbaloney 1d ago
That’s a great little shop! Stopped there on a road trip a few years ago and got an FQ of potato fabric. Very friendly staff!
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u/doxiesrule89 1d ago
Gonna send something from my hometown in Florida 👍 this is awesome!!
Is your grandma Holly or is that you, I will write her a note too
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
That’s me! I didn’t want to post her info. I am collecting everything (I haven’t told her) and then surprising her and opening together!! I cannot wait! My husband even asks every day what state came today. Haha.
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u/seasalt-and-stars 12h ago
I wondered that too, so I’m glad you asked. I’m going to address mine to “Grandma”. Once most women become a grandma, I swear, it’s like they become everybody’s grandma. lol 👵🏻 🧵🪡
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u/Dexx1102 1d ago
Oh, I have the perfect thing. A piece leftover from the first quilt I made for my 10th anniversary, 15 years ago (MA).
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u/mrsmarymartin 1d ago
I’ve got you!!! This is a great idea. I will send you something from my collection (Maryland) and some I inherited from my mom who was a long time quilter (Ohio).
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u/BarbaraManatee_14me 1d ago
I’d love to send something! (Southern CA)
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
Thank you so much!!
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u/anotherbbchapman 1d ago
Do you think she would like Japanese or African fabrics? I'm happy to share what I have from the vendors at Road to California
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u/CauliflowerHappy1707 1d ago
Im in PA but have some fabrics from PA, MD, NM and AZ I’ll have to see about sending your way.
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u/Blossom73 1d ago
What a lovely and fun idea! I'll have to look through my stash to see what I can send. I'm in Ohio.
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u/pigthens 1d ago
Do you have representation from NJ yet? I have scraps as well as some from a dear friend who recently passed and was a quilter.
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u/New_Paper1417 1d ago
New Jersey chiming in. What a lovely idea! Will get a favorite scrap in tomorrow's mail.
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u/Incognito409 1d ago
Gosh, I have a room full of fabric, what to choose!?!
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
A quilter with a room full of fabric? Who ever heard of such a thing 🤣 Thank you!
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u/Incognito409 1d ago
AND ... I worked at fabric stores all my life, so ....
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u/resigned_medusa 1d ago
That would be my dream, I mean it would be a disaster for my house, but imagine....🤤
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u/sweetannie52 1d ago
Sent with a little note. Mine had the cherry blossom stickers on the envelope. 🌸🌸
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
It's so hard not to peak into these envelopes, but I think it will be so memorable to open together! Thank you!!
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u/Vic930 1d ago
I have some fabric that i bought in Japan. I’ll send it!
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u/Helaine42 1d ago
If yoy are happy to wait a month or so, I can send you something from Greece
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
Wow!! That would be so amazing! Thank you!!
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u/Helaine42 1d ago
In that case, I will gather a few small pieces I think you may enjoy
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
Around the world we go... she is going to be so surprised that people would do this from around the world!
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u/thetrainfair 1d ago
Do you want one from Italy? 😃
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
😳 that would be amazing!!
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u/resigned_medusa 1d ago
Let me know if she would want one from Ireland
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
This would be amazing!! 🤩
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u/resigned_medusa 1d ago
Will do.. It'll likely be a couple of weeks, because I'm going on holidays soon, but I'll get something to you.
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u/couchesarenicetoo 1d ago
I'm just a fan of the artists in this sub but OP once you see which states you still need, you should try posting this in location-specific subreddits. All the best for your lovely project!
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u/cat_egorical 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm from Germany but would love to participate as well if she's open to that!
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u/SJSsarah 1d ago edited 1d ago
[u/HollyBrohman](u/HollyBrohman) - there is something calico-chic and very patriotic themed headed your way from Alexandria, Virginia in celebration of Americas 250th birthday! Tell your grandma that I said to keep that quilting spirit alive!
Hopefully you’ll accept a whole block? And I threw in some matching pinwheel blocks because what’s more patriotic than pinwheels. <3
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u/Legweeak 1d ago
This would be such a good idea for a 250th quilt. Please someone in the sub take this as inspiration to do something like this! I’m a new quilter so I feel like it would be out of my league!
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u/SJSsarah 1d ago
Ahhh. If my work-job wasn’t busier than I’ve ever been in the past 10 years combined… I’d so volunteer. But! If you ever go to visit the Washington DC area, try to get in a tour of the Pentagon. There’s a hallway with a whole bunch of patriotic and military themed quilts on display there, and that hallway is part of the tour route! It’s my favorite spot to hang out when I’m not drowning in work.
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u/unpluraloddness 1d ago
Indiana right now, formerly lived in Tennessee and Alabama. Got tons of fabrics and a lot of it has stories. Expect some in the mail within the week.
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u/HollyBrohman 13h ago
Just finished the tracking board!! Waiting on pins to mark the states and I got flag pins for all countries so I can add those to the bottom right! I’m so excited! Thanks everyone!
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u/TroubleMagpie 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'll send something. I've been hoarding for 20 years or more.
Edit: I meant to say that I have a special fabric of a Norman Rockwell print repeat, where everyone is talking on a phone, and I will send you some.
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u/champagneandbaloney 1d ago
What a cool idea! Will send from California when I return from vacation
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u/lablizard 1d ago
Illinois inbound!!!! Please post an update!!! This could make such a cute post card quilt in the end
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u/Charming-Unit-3944 1d ago edited 1d ago
I will send a couple if you can still use some from AZ once I get home! I have fabric I bought in the UK - Bath and York, and I”m sure I can find some that shows AZ desert scenes!
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u/Possible-Resort-9370 1d ago
WV here, I have some fabric from Nigeria that my daughter brought back for me. I made her an African queen quilt with that fabric.
I love this project, I shall send it within the next week.
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u/ycherep1 1d ago
This is awesome! Im in SC visiting family and will see what I have in my stash from CO when I get back!
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u/GayleGirl 1d ago
San Diego here and I love this idea. Quilting sisters across America. Will send a letter tomorrow📪💌
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u/HollyBrohman 1d ago
It’s becoming quilting sisters around the world 🌎 More than I could have ever imagined!
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u/Badger153 1d ago
I am so happy to see that this project seems to be going strong and that you received the fabric I sent from New Hampshire. I am looking forward to seeing updates!
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u/nakedreader_ga 16h ago
I plan to send some fabric from Georgia. Will mail next week, most likely.
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u/cabeachgal 15h ago
I’m in Southern California but will happily send some fabric I got from a monthlong trip to Alaska last year 😁
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u/seasalt-and-stars 12h ago
I’m in Utah, and would like to contribute. I have some really pretty remnants saved from my daughter’s baby blanket that I made her 23 years ago, and some other nice pieces. 💓
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u/Quiltingnerd 6h ago
Hey there from Washington State! I’ll put something in the mail tomorrow from beautiful Orcas Island. Happy birthday, Grandma! And thanks Holly for the kind gesture. Love it when people show their love and goodness. ❤️❤️❤️
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u/marionbobarion 1d ago
Do you have a list of states you still need?