Roller Coaster


The school for autistic children that is part of my daily life will be leaving the church at the end of the summer. Autism is on the rise, the school is growing, and the Sunday School space will no longer accommodate their increasing population.

Moving is expensive and the school has embarked on a variety of fund raisers to foot the bill. Of course I offered to help. I had pieced this top prolly four or five years ago and it was just sitting. I pieced it prior to taking The Pledge, so it is entirely from Rouenneries fabric. And I like it a lot.

I almost never do a binding in a light fabric, but with all of the dark brown, it seemed to be the right thing to do. Clicking to enlarge will show the different fabrics better, as well as Mary Ellen's lovely quilting.

The pattern, I think, came from "Fat Quarterly," and was called "Roller Coaster." At the time I made it, I had in my mind a roller coaster that was in Willow Grove Park, an amusement park near Philadelphia; that coaster was called "The Alps." So I always thought of this quilt as "The Alps." I hope its raffle will bring in a nice amount towards the move.

I suspect the school's director and employees feel as though they are embarking on a roller coaster. Moving a school sounds a daunting task; add a couple of dozen autistic kids and "roller coaster" seems too tame a label.

The school was closed for the last two weeks for a break and the church building was way too quiet for my taste. I was delighted to welcome them all back on Monday, and dread the thought of the end of the summer when they move out. The church is actively seeking another tenant and is close to an agreement with a start-up day care operation. Which sounds a bit tame compared to Gina, Alfred, and the others I've come to be so fond of.

Golly, I'm gonna miss 'em.



Comments

Barbara Anne said…
Love the quilt and it reminds me of "Climb Every Mountain" from The Sound of Music - dating myself here! Lord knows those sweet kids and wonderful teachers face mountains every day.

I've put a light binding on only one small quilt and told myself never again as the quilt has never looked well framed.

Hugs!
AnnieO said…
Really nice roller coaster! This should appeal to both sexes. Miss them you will, and they will miss you.
LizA. said…
What a beautiful quilt and what a generous way to help. I'm sure things will be very, very quiet for you once they move.
Janet O. said…
And I'll bet they will miss you!
The quilt is a wonderful gesture to help their cause. I think your quilter did a beautiful job, and though I don't usually use light binding either, it seems right on this quilt.
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
What Janet O. said... they're going to miss you too! I love the quilt and feel sure it was waiting for just this opportunity to help!
antique quilter said…
Love this and love more that your donating it to such a great cause. So nice of you.
Kathie
Laura said…
Love this quilt. I bet it would be fun to make this in several different color-ways, too.
Karla said…
Wonderful quilt. You are a most generous and kind woman, you will be missed.
Anonymous said…
It's beautiful, Nancy. I really love the lighter, contrast binding. Great choice!
Quiltdivajulie said…
My guess is the "missing" will go in BOTH directions . . . hugs to you!
Jayne Honnold said…
How generous you are! I hope the quilt brings in lots of money.
Sarah said…
The quilt is lovely Nancy. I hope it raises good money for the school. So you won't be moving with the school? Do you not work directly for them?