Pandemic Quilt Is Complete

During the Covid 19 pandemic, members of Fargo Moorhead Quilters coped as best they could without access to quilt shops, quilt shows or quilt get togethers added to the fear of the fast spreading illness. Member Bonnie Anderson challenged members to create quilt blocks that tell the story of how guild members coped with the 2 years of lock down and isolation during the 2020-2021 pandemic. It became a way for members to process some of their thoughts and feelings during the pandemic and to acknowledge the health care works in the community that took risks and made many sacrifices to give loving cate to those with Covid infections. The healthcare workers are the heroes of our community.

In all, 16 members donated 23 blocks to the project. Project Coordinator Bonnie Anderson created the top banner and with Lona Daley Getz put the quilt top together. Member Barb Zeleznik quilted it and was bound by Bonnie Anderson.

The quilt was displayed at the 2022 Metro Quilt Show April 29 & 30, 2022. It was a great chance for the community to see the Pandemic from the point of view of quilters. It is also a time for our quilting community to thank all the health care workers for all they have been doing to help during the Pandemic.

The quilt was presented to a representative of the nursing staff of the Covid unit at Sanford Hospital where it will be displayed for all staff to enjoy. It was a time for our quilting community to thank all the health care workers for all they have been doing to help during the Pandemic.

The finished top is 62 x 76 inches.  From the photo the sashing and borders look like flowers but it is a print of the covid virus.

Row 1 From Right to Left

• Flattening The Curve by Shelley Folkedahl, West Fargo
  “Flattening the Curve was the call when COVID-19 started. Too bad politicians had to be involved.
• The Empty Chair by Bonnie Larrison Anderson, Wahpeton ND
  Dr. Anthony Fauci reminded us in November 2020 to follow public health measures to reduce transmission of the Covid-19 virus so that we wouldn’t have empty chairs the next holiday season The US had 300,000+ deaths by the end of December 2020, 600,000+ by June 2021 and 750,000+ deaths by the end of 2021. Globally 2020-2021 there were over 5 million deaths from Covid-19. We mourn the loss of the beloved individuals represented by the empty chair.
• Virtual Hugs by Roz Buck, Fargo ND
  A different way to “hug” was physical distancing. A way of expressing the same emotions you would with a real hug through different means. The physical act might not occur, but the emotional message and content are the same.
• Stay Home by Colleen Anderson, Fargo, ND
  the block was made while I was in “quarantine” from COVID 19. We isolated ourselves for over 3 months, not wanting to infect anyone, not be exposed again. The beginning of this pandemic was a stressful time for all of us. many would not want to believe the virus existed and were very defiant, While others like myself were very concerned as many people were dying.
• Tradition by Ellen Binsfeld
  My block is a classic 9 patch. I was inspired by the hope of returning to normal. Traditions will continue, the human spirit cannot be broken! I chose contrasting colors to represent the different ways people were impacted by this virus. Some people continued their lives as usual while others’ lives were completely turned upside down. Some people went through this calm/cool while others were highly emotional/warm.

Row 2 From Right to Left

• Searching For Beauty by Lori Loff, Wahpeton, ,ND
  Searching for Beauty is a pattern by Becky Goldsmith from Piece O’Cake Designs. It loosely resembles the Covid-19 virus that we see almost daily in the media. Although this virus has disrupted our lives in many ways, there were/are some good things that came from this time and that is what we need to focus on.
• Hope in the Time of Covid by VIrginia Dambach Fargo, ND
  Using COVID-like prints for the background and borders, I printed photos of Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama and other progressive leaders, and then cut the images into a feather. (Emily Dickenson said “Hope is a thing with feathers…”) A second image of Jill and Joe Biden is printed and appliqued in a butterfly shape. One of the “COVID prints” is heavily embellished to make it more noticeable.
• We Are All In This Together by Bonnie Larrison Anderson Wahpeton, ND
  A sidewalk chalk drawing in Wahperon where I live became the inspiration for this block. Sometimes we forget that the pandemic is world wide and that what we do or don’t do can have a ripple effect around the world. I have friends in other countries and have heard their stories of lockdowns and losses.
• The Comet by Elaine Keller, Fargo ND
  The block shows earth as a crazy quilt patch, because with everything that is happening it sure is crazy. Everything is raw edge on the block. Our beautiful green and blue Earth feels raw…fractured, fraying, and frazzled. Above the Earth is the Big Dipper and the NEOWISE comet. In ancient times, astrologers and others viewed eclipses and comets as harbingers and omens of doom. I believe good things and bad things happen whether there is a comet or not. At least the comet kept a safe social distance of 64 millions miles.

Row 3 From Right to Left

• Oblique by Roz Buck Fargo, ND
  Oblique “Neither parallel nor at a right angle.” What life has been like the last few months of COVID-19.
• Cancelled by Kim Baird, Moorhead, MN
  I started with an idyllic scene embroidered on a vintage tablecloth from an estate sale. It’s the home where we all must stay to be safe. I added threatening items such as lightning, storm clouds, a tornado and the COVID-19 virus, as well as a coffin. Note the orange snake in the grass with pointy hair. In case that wasn’t recognizable, I added a red necktie.
• Walk In The Woods by Bonnie Larrison Anderson Wahpeton , ND
  Spending time in nature is soothing for the body, mind and spirit. Daily walks outdoors have been a major stress reducer for me during the pandemic. It was even better when the walks could be in among the trees.
• All I Want For Christmas by Bonnie Larrison Anderson Wahpeton, ND
  Celebrating the arrival in December 2020 of the first Covid-19 vaccines in the United States to begin vaccinations.
• Look At The Night Sky by Susan Schock Fargo, ND
  One of the mantras that helped to motivate and inspire me during the pandemic. Sit outside at night, look at the sky and the stars, and be thankful.

Row 4 From Right to Left

• Missing Ruth by Muriel Richardson Fargo, ND
  My pandemic journey was just tine until Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. The stoic fighter of justice for all was gone and I feared for the country and the rights of so many. She encourages females to stand up for their rights and for equality. I am encourages that her legacy will live on in the generations who so appreciate all that she did.
• Phases by Carol Pratt Moorhead, ND
  My block represents three phases (and phrases) of the pandemic. First we tried to “Flatten the Curve” and keep the hospitals from being overwhelmed. Net we were encouraged to “Wear a Mask” to try to prevent viral transmission. Finally, the highly anticipated vaccines arrived, giving us hope, and we were all encouraged to “Get Vaccinated.” In all three phases, Dr. Fauci was a trusted voice, urging us to flatten the curve, eat a mask, and get vaccinated.
• The More That You Read… by Lona Daley Getz Fargo, ND
  My use of a Dr. Suess quote sums up my love of reading and learning. The forced isolation during the pandemic was an opportunity to read countless books those past many months.
• #aworldofhearts by Ann Burnett Ellenburg WA (formerly Moorhead MN)
  Windows I see on my walks, spring of 2020.

Row 5 From Right to Left

• Where We Can’t Gather Together by Judith Eide Moorhead MN
  It struck me that schools and churches are both community center, where we take our children to learn, where we got to connect with each other.
• Mask Deep by Kathy Melaas Fargo ND
  Made from fabrics I used to make masks early in the pandemic. It is a tribute to the mask making abilities of hundreds of quilters who used their sewing abilities and fabric collections to help protect individuals from the virus.
• Home by Susan Schock Fargo, ND
  This time during the pandemic is very stressful for everyone. Keep Moving was one of the mantras that helped to motivate and inspire me…stay active, exercise, go for walks, quilt, bake something.
• Believe in Miracles by Shelley Folkedahl West Fargo ND
  For all the medical personnel who deal with this daily and don’t give up hope.