My blogging friend Velda at Freckled Fox Quiltery posted a while back that she is making a temperature quilt for 2020 because–what a year! I liked that idea. I certainly feel that this year deserves to be memorialized in a quilt, but I do not want to paper piece a picture of the COVID virus, or make the quilt I designed to represent the ICU, or quilt anything else directly COVID related. Making and wearing masks is a sufficient reminder, thanks!
In addition, Velda linked to a free pattern that I liked the looks of.
Here’s a link to the free pattern.
Any temperature quilt will require a lot of research (high and low temps for every day of the year for your location) and organization. Here are a couple of things I learned along the way. This pattern is clearly written and she has some good suggestions regarding fabric choice.
First, of course, I pulled fabric from my stash. I was happy to see that I had everything I needed, since quilt shops were closed for browsing and I thought it might be difficult to order by phone. 
The colored blocks in the pattern are cut 2″ square (yikes!) so I decided to try something new to cut down on fraying. I recently purchased a product called “Terial Magic” at A Stitch in Time. It is a “fabric stabilizer” and has several uses. It kind of glues the fibers in the fabric together to decrease fraying and also makes the fabric stiff.
After talking with the lady at the shop, I mixed the Terial Magic 1:3 with water and put it in a spray bottle. I will say that I was happy to have to prepare only fat quarters of the fabric, as the process was kind of time intensive. However, the fabric came out very crisp and wrinkle free and did not fray at all when I cut it. Actually it was easier to cut than usual. The stuff is supposed to wash right out once the quilt is finished, and I’m trusting that it will 🙂
When I got the squares all cut and started sewing, I discovered that I had somehow tricked myself into believing there was enough contrast between these two shades of green!
Luckily there was an adequate substitute in the stash! Here are the strips for the first quarter. Each strip is sewn together, but I have not joined them yet.
One final hint: I cut up the January calendar page and pinned the numbers on the blocks to keep them in order until they were sewn together. 🙂
Are you making a temperature quilt? Another quilt to commemorate 2020?
Zippy Quilts 
Several of these were shown at our March guild meeting show & tell. The local Modern Quilt Guild issued the “Temperature challenge” and it was interesting to see what patterns were done. I would love to see your “temperature KEY” to see how each color correlates. I’m guessing each day has a high and low temp which is an interesting contrast. Thanks for the link to the free pattern and the info on the Terial Magic. I haven’t used it before. Mostly I am a pre-washer/heavy starch when working with anything with a lot of small pieces/curves/bias cuts. I like a good “crispy” piece that will hold it’s shape while being handled.
Thanks for the pattern link. I found the key in the pattern. I think this is a nice way to “remember” the year, and the organizing tips on Velda’s page and your calendar idea sound smart.
Thanks. I trust you’ll post yours “soon” 🙂
It’s an interesting project but I think it will have to wait for 2021. I don’t typically buy “solids”, so I would have to get out to the shops or order online. I’d much rather wait until my LQS can unlock the doors. 🙂 I do like the pattern and have already been thinking how I would incorporate the “key” at the bottom, like on a map. Year, location etc. Maybe in a border.
Honestly I don’t see much difference between heavy starch and the diluted Terial Magic. I’m told that using full strength Terial Magic makes the fabric rigid and crisp enough to use for origami. But I wonder why 🙃
Years ago (30+) I was invited to a craft night and we used a liquid product called STIFFY. We made flower petals and shaped them onto a fabric wrapped wire stem and when they dried they were hard. It was easy to curl the petals and bend them into shape while wet, but once it dried, they never moved. It was a one & done project for me because I had no time in my life for “crafty” back then.
That does sound like a good use of the stuff if you want fabric flowers.
I first learned about temperature quilts at a local guild show last fall. Those quiltmakers used flying geese for each day. I like this design variation and your fabric selection. 2020 is certainly a year to document!
Hi Nann! Does this mean we’ll be seeing your temperature quilt?
I like that pattern, but one temperature quilt is enough for me. I do intend to do a quilt for the times and have the beginnings of an idea.
I have designed a COVID quilt but am not sure I want to make it.
Hi, it’s Velda. What a great shout out for my blog post. I’m enjoying making this one. I decided to emphasize the time we were sheltering at home by changing the background colour. We started isolating on March 15 and had our first company over last night. So just over 2 months on my quilt will have a dark background.
I noticed you were doing that. I like the idea but don’t have the energy for i. Also, the end is not in sight here despite wishful thinking on the part of some of our “leaders”. I’m glad you got to have company.
Please take a bow — this is quite a project!
Thanks. It’s fun so far.
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