Stasher DeEtte was able to finish her Patriot Quilt in time for this year’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
Inspired by Grandma, Aunt Maurine, friends and playing under quilts being quilted as a child, DeEtte continues the creative work of quilting and sewing. Her quilts are given to children for their baptism at the age of 8, her own children, and her own personal use. She has plans for future quilts including ‘Turning 20’, Stack & Whack, Nine Square, and Flying Geese and is open to any and all ideas when she finishes all of those.
DeEtte loves textiles. “Making somehting with my hands is very satisfying but more satisfying is making something come alive into a beautiful piece of art and love.”
What wisdom does DeEtte want to share? “Do what you love; give it a try. Have fun. Start small.
The following quotes were shared at the last Stashing Sister’s Quilt Retreat in 2025. Be inspired and share a smile!
Bulletin Board of Quotes for Quilters
“Quilters . . . Cut with hope. Stitch with grace. Quilt with dreams. Bind with laughter. Share with love.”
The Work of Creation – “The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before . . . creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. . . remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf
In My Sewing Room thou shalt not . . .
ask when it will be finished
cut anything with my fabric scissors
request that I hem your pantes
speak to me when I have a seam ripper in hand
tell me I have too much fabric
push buttons on my sewing machine
bring me your clothes to iron
pull on any loose threads
wonder aloud why I’m still in my pajamas
come looking for food – this is not the kitchen
“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor E. Frankl
“Things that matter the most, last the longest” Sister Ballard
“I was the smartest woman in the room. Then again, it was my craft room, and I was the only one in there.” http://www.AnniesCraftStore.com
LIFE IS LIKE A PUZZLE . . . but without the box: It’s ok to ask for help. Sometimes you have to try new things. If something doesn’t fit, don’t force it. Every piece is special and has it’s place. Sometimes you need to take a step back to see things more clear. Be patient. It takes time for all the pieces to come together. THE END RESULT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART.
“The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.” Russell M. Nelson
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterieor motives: Be kind anyway. If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies: Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people will try to cheat you: Be honest anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight: Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous of you: Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten by tomorrow: Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough: Give you best anyway. Mother Teresa
“Kindness is the Essence of Celestial Life”
“Like a guiding star in a clear dark sky, Jesus Christ lights the way. He brings peace in the storms of life . . . He is the anchor of our souls . . . ‘Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not’. ” Elder Anderson
“There is something very satisfying about watching yardage of fabric turning into a beautiful creation – it truly makes me very happy!” Cindy C.
This cute quilt is titled “BEST FRIENDS”. It is a quilt for quilting friends to sign. Isn’t it adorable and clever? Stashing Sister Cindy C. says, “I hope everyone who comes into my home and sees my quilts on display will be touched and uplifted.” Sharing is a key trait for Cindy C. She has taught many, many people to quilt by sharing her time and talents with them.
What else makes Cindy C. happy? She confesses, “Just walking into a quilt shop and seeing all the beautiful colors together. “
Just like all change that happens, it begins with the one. Then it reaches out to others.
“Quilters affect eternity. They can never tell where their influence stops.” Unknown
Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a disciple of Jesus, was known for her good works. She became ill and died. Her faithful friends sought Peter the Apostle in a neighboring town. When he arrived, the weeping friends showed him the many coats and garments Tabitha had made. Peter cleared the room of all the people, kneeled down next to the body, and prayed, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter extended his hand and lifted her up. He presented her to the people. (Acts 9) This miracle, this act of Jesus’ power and love, was made known throughout the city, and many believed in the Lord.
If a coat or garment made by a righteous woman can bless and affect the lives of those around her for good. . . and to believe in the Lord, I suppose a quilt made by other righteous women could too. By choice we show love and sometimes that love is manifest and remembered by the work of our hands, even for generations.
The master of love and change didn’t make quilts that we know of, but he gave love by teaching, healing, forgiving. With every work of our hands, with every quilt we make, we too can show love.
In the 1930’s and 1940’s, many women had tight budgets with families to raise. Keeping them all fed and clothed was no small feat. It sounds like a familiar story for many of today’s families.
Some differences between then and now include the advent of fast and frozen foods which didn’t exist in the 30’s, also ready-to-wear clothes (that we rely on now) were very expensive 90 years ago. Cooking and sewing were valuable and needed skills in the 30’s and 40’s. Grain mills put their flour and meal in fabric sacks. What better use of them than to make needed clothing when empty?
When the flour manufacturers became aware that the sacks were serving double duty, they began to print designs on them. Today, many fabric companies sell reproductions of those patterns.
These blocks were old – maybe 20 years old and I made them. The math doesn’t seem to work out since I’ve been 25 for the last 20 years! Moving on, the point of this story is that these blocks were made and exchanged with a group of quilting friends. . . an Amish flavor with solid colors. They had seen a couple of moves, several closets, and still persisted. They found me several months ago when I was in a “get some projects finished” mental state of mind. So here they are. Backed with black Kona cotton which was no small feat. Since the pandemic, the elusive black Kona was as hard to find as snipes at a girl’s camp. The blocks are still alive and vibrant. Thank you sisters for having made colorful memories with me. Ginger
Every so often, the need to be creative in a sewing kind of way emerges. We think on it for a while then we allow time to rise to the top of our schedules to satisfy the need. An open house for quilting was born in the minds of the Stashing Sisters. Read the rest of this entry →
While shopping at my favorite store that “puts people to work”, I found a white Battenburg lace duvet cover. Having experienced life on someone else’s bed before living at my house, it had a few freckles that mostly washed out with tender care and OxiClean. Read the rest of this entry →
The “Sisters Keeper” project was boosted with donations of blocks during the retreat. This is an ongoing project and block donations are accepted at any time. It’s a good way to use your leftover fabric and provide a service. Read the rest of this entry →
Stashing Sisters 