Quilting Quartet

My newest group of quilting friends includes two that I have not met face to face .... at least not yet.  We're a small group, numbering to a grand total of four individuals, all quilt artists, brought together by our fearless leader, Robin Koehler.  It all started with Robin's wish to honor the memory of her grandfather who helped build the LEM, the Lunar Exploration Module.  (I met Robin at Quilt Market this year - click here to see our smiles.)

LEM on the moon

Robin heard of the Dream Rocket project and wanted to join in -- but how and with whom?  So she posted a query on the QuiltArt list to see if anyone there was intrigued and interested.   Chris Gilman replied first and the idea grew.  I read their posts and joined them, as did Robin's friend, Katherine McNeese.  Our group was formed.  Our plan is to make a quilt together for the Dream Rocket, which is the third and latest project of the International Fiber Collaborative.

Specifically, the Dream Rocket is a zany idea to make one large quilt to cover the Saturn V Rocket standing in front of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center® in Huntsville, Alabama.  This quilt (planned to be 30,467 square feet) will unite the work of individuals and groups from across the earth into one unified piece.

The mission statement declares:
"the Dream Rocket aims to connect art and education through a global collaborative initiative .... The Wrapping of the Saturn V Rocket will recognize the power of global collaboration and in turn, The Dream Rocket hopes to inspire individuals all over the World not only to dream, but also to recognize their power to pursue their dreams"

Anyone anywhere on our planet Earth can be a part of this worldwide collaborative art project!  How cool is this?   Over 8,000 panels will be needed to fulfill this dream. These individual panels, in 2' or 4' squares, will be assembled into the finished quilt.  For 60 days in the months of May and June of 2010, the Saturn V Rocket will be cozily wrapped in this Dream Quilt.  What an amazing sight this will be!  Can you imagine it?  Join us ...

Click here to reserve your spot in this international art quilt project.

Back to my Quilting Quartet led by Robin ....
As mentioned above, Robin's initial idea was to honor her grandfather who helped to build the LEM, the Lunar Exploration Module.  The four of us have named our team the LEM-4.  Our team quilt will be comprised of four smaller quilts, one designed by each member.  We have determined the themes for our four pieces, and are beginning our individual work.  I will post updates as we progress.....

Until then, here is an artist rendering of the LEM on the moon.

Click here for the original source of this image.