The Story of The Road Home Quilt

By Pepper Cory

I'm an Air Force brat. My mother coped with five kids during 25 years of nomadic military life, and I know firsthand how difficult it is when someone you love is overseas. Elaine Dumler and I have a lot in common. In addition to being a quilter, Elaine is an author who writes about servicemen and women reintegrating into society after deployment. "I'm debating," Elaine said, "about the title for my next book." I showed her a pattern called the Road Home in my book 65 Drunkard's Path Quilt Designs. She immediately decided to call her book The Road Home.

I started envisioning a big quilt in the Road Home pattern. It would be a scrap quilt in many shades of red, blue, and, instead of white, shades of sand to symbolize the Middle East where many American troops are stationed. Impulsively, I offered to make The Road Home for the cover her book. I thought I might sell the pattern. My friends Mary Frankle, Mary Henris, and Jan Spikett, are military wives with lots of quilting experience. They joined me to cut, sew, and complete the quilt top in a month.  Lori Housel, a Marine wife and mother, did the longarm quilting.

After all was said and done, it didn't seem right to sell the pattern for The Road Home. It's my gift to you, with help from my friends at Quilters Newsletter, the magazine I've been subscribing to since it was printed in black and white.  

Click here to download the pattern

The Road Home is personalized with a family photo printed on fabric. It's easier than ever to print your photos yourself. Get a 25% discount on the latest issue of Quilt It for Keepsakes, a special publication from the editors of Quilters Newsletter, for creative ways to add photos to your quilts. Click here to purchase Quilt It for Keepsakes 2008.

Back issues of Quilt It for Keepsakes are full of patterns, projects, and ideas for using fabric photos and honoring your loved ones with memory quilts.  Click here to order a four-issue bundle at a special price.

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For more information on Elaine's book, including special downloads visit her website.