Once a month, we will try to showcase a quilt from one of our MPS members. Whether we’ve been quilting for decades or are just beginning our quilting journey, we are a talented bunch; and we inspire each other regularly with the many wonderful quilts that are created. So it seems fitting that we showcase a quilt in hopes it will inspire others. (You can click on any of the images to see a larger view.)
Unwind
You know how it goes: you pack for a quilt retreat with every intention of being focused and productive… and then creativity (or a friend) whispers, “What if…?”
That’s exactly what happened back in June 2025 when Christie headed off to the annual MPS Retreat at the peaceful Alton Collins Retreat Center in Sandy, Oregon. Being the scrappy genius she is, Christie brought along a cheerful pile of scraps and—tucked way down in her sewing tote—an old foundation paper-pieced kit from way back when. Perfect retreat material, right?
She got to work, happily stitching her scrappy strips when along came Kathy—patron saint of “What if…?” questions. (You know the type. Every guild has one. Every guild needs one!) Kathy peered over Christie’s shoulder and asked, “What if you linked the strips end to end instead of aiming for the traditional wedding ring look?”
Christie paused… considered… and then jumped right in. Suddenly she was drafting new background patches, puzzling pieces together, and letting the idea unfurl. Before the retreat wrapped up, her quilt top was finished—proof that inspiration sometimes wears someone else’s name tag.
Just when Christie thought the creative sparks had settled, Heather wandered by. Heather, queen of unconventional observations, declared, “Hey, that looks like a road!”
And with that, the quilt found its destiny. “Unwind” was born—a playful floor quilt destined to become a racetrack for one very lucky kid’s matchbox cars.
But the story gets even better. Christie donated “Unwind,” along with several other quilts, to a fundraiser benefiting an organization that provides transitional housing for people without homes. And every single quilt—including the scrappy superhighway—sold.
Not everyone is up for spontaneous collaboration, but Christie’s willingness to say yes to creative nudges led to something joyful, unexpected, and meaningful.
And somewhere out there, we can only hope a tiny toy car is currently zoom-zoom-zooming along the colorful roads of Unwind—a quilt made by many minds and one big heart.
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What a wonderful unfolding of an amazing quilt.
I’m ready to race some matchbook cars on it, or have a picnic, but here’s hoping some amazing family is enjoying it. It was really fun to see it emerge at the retreat!
Always a pleasure to see Christie’s quilting and to hear the stories behind each of them, because they always have a story!
Wonderful spotlight on a beautiful quilt and two creative folks. ‘Hang around with other quilters and your quilting will get better’!
Love this story! Christie is so open to embracing trying new ideas which turn into stunning projects! We are very fortunate to have Kathy in our guild to support us and ask the “what if” question. Thank goodness Heather saw the road and shared her vision. Working together can bring unexpected change to a special quilt. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!