Instructions for Creating a Quilt Square

Fabric
Start with a 14" x 14" square of fabric. If you do not have fabric, please call me at 415.885.7221, and we will send you a square. Leave a 1" border around the image (final image size is 12" x 12"), which we need for sewing the square into the quilt.

You May Use Just about Any Medium
Permanent marking pens. (Make sure they do not bleed on the fabric.)
Acrylic paint
Sew-on appliques
Photograph transfer on fabric
We only ask that you do not use three-dimensional fabric paint pens or glitter, as they do flake off.

Your Quilt Square Design
No artistic experience is necessary! Express what having breast cancer has been like for you or someone you love. Hope, sadness, illness as a teacher can all be expressed. You may write your full name, initials only, first name or no name, in small letters on your design.

Since the quilt will go through a sewing machine, it is very important that any three-dimensional pieces added to your design be secured tightly and are not too large. We hope these quilts will be displayed for a long, long time. Therefore, durability and longevity are very important. If you're at a loss for ideas, just call me -- I have a vivid imagination!

Important Design Notes
Please do not use fragile or glued-on pieces, because they will not remain permanent. Mark your image if it is to be sewn into the quilt in a specific direction. We will use common sense, but with abstract images, we want to be sure it is placed correctly.

Your Statement
Please include a short paragraph, poem, or statement about your design and breast cancer experience. We will continue to print booklets of your stories.

The Quilt
Remember, your image will be sewn into the quilt. Understand that your square will not be returned to you. In giving your image and your personal statement or poem to the Breast Cancer Quilts Project, you are giving permission to exhibit, photograph, film, televise, print, reprint, publish and publicize your experience in connection with this project. It is up to you whether you include your name on the image and your statement. The quilts will remain under the auspices of Art for Recovery at the UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion.

Timing
Please send your square(s) with your statement or poem to me as soon as possible, so that we can include it in our next quilt. Please send your quilt square(s) to:

Cindy Perlis
Director, Art for Recovery
UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
Box 1712
1600 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Thank you so much for sharing your story and your images.

Be well,

Cindy Perlis