Pink Ribbon Quilts

There’s something about the comfort of a handmade quilt that’s a natural match for a good cause. And since October is Breast Cancer Awareness (Pink Ribbon) month, it’s a perfect time for making a quilt in pink.

Rosie’s Calico Cupboard gives us a free pattern for her Ribbon of Concern Quilt, with pieced blocks that look like pink fabric ribbons, to signify support for those with breast cancer.

(You could easily adapt this quilt pattern for other causes that are associated with different coloured ribbons, of course — yellow ribbons to support the troops, for example, or the white ribbon campaign to end violence against women.)

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, Quilt Pink offers a nice selection of free quilt block patterns (PDF file) to suit any quilter’s skill level.

Or you might simply adapt a favourite quilt pattern to use fabrics in the colour of the cause.

Don’t forget the possibilities of embroidery and embellishment, too — what about incorportating a fabric-printed photograph or pieces of clothing with a special personal meaning into a memory quilt?

For more inspiration, see the Quilt Pink gallery for photographs of a gorgeous variety of Breast Cancer Quilts pieced by more than 1,000 quilt shops across the United States. American Patchwork & Quilting magazine is selling them off in an online quilt auction to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure is running now on eBay.

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