Micah's Bar Mitzvah Quilt - August 2016

"Cousin" Micah Frank, wrapped in his Bar Mitzvah gift,  August 2016

64"x80"

Micah is the son of Abbie and Mark Frank, St. Louis, MO.  Although not 'actually' related, we have always considered Abbie one of the cousins, and when she married Mark, he was a lovely addition to the family.  Of course, Micah's birth and inclusion as a cousin was a given. 

The year before Micah's Bar Mitzvah, I started working with him via FB Messenger to discover what he might like as a quilt.  He was pretty clear:  The colors should be orange and blue of his favorite soccer team:   The Netherlands                        

In terms of design, Micah wanted  "something modernish with orange"  to which Abbie added "...whatever the heck that means!!"   but I understood him, and started hunting down some possibilities.

I gave him some options, then got more details from a young man who understands design!  In messages from his mother:   "He said he likes something, "modern...not a white background but if all the squares were together that would be amazing!" He said no random shapes placed here and there...he wants something that goes together. So he says his style is modern, orange, squares and rectangles without a white background. Make much sense?!"  

In fact, yes, it made perfect sense.   After posting many possible quilt images, he decided he liked this one:  (not the colors, just the pattern - I LOVED that he could separate color from pattern)  

 

Those are pretty basic square shapes, so I drafted up the 4 basic blocks  and decided on a size, then off to the fabric store.  Based on his soccer team images, these are start of my fabric collection for this quilt:   I added some lighter blue, and lighter and darker orange, then got to stitching.

Here is the finished top and back:

I sent it off to my friend Janet Mease at SLO Creative Studio for all over quilting with a soccer ball theme, and then hand stitched a label 

I think he likes it!

By the way, his Bar Mitzvah service was beautiful and meaningful.  I remember the Rabbi from his parent's wedding; she is inspirational.

Micah:  may your life be a blessing always.

Peace.