We were given 4 fabrics and were allowed to add 4 fabrics and an inspirational block. One of the fabrics was polka dotted and reminded me of the yellow polka dotted bikini. I made 4 different styles of swimwear in a 9-patch setting.
Four blocks contain the Breast Cancer Ribbon pattern. The Center block contains the inspirational message of: "Get them Checked,...Get them Checked Often". The center block has the Breast Cancer Ribbon, the American Sign Language symbol of "I love you" with the words below, and a pair of breasts.
The quilt sashing and border have purple and pink fabric designed by a local quilter, Elaine--they became my focal fabric.
Breast Cancer Awareness is an important fact for women and men. Self breast exams, doctor checks and mammograms help reduce the devastation of breast cancer advancement. These words were quilted into this quilt with traupunto/cutaway method.
To tie theme together, I quilted breasts of all different sizes--a few with mastectomies. I painted the words and included breast cancer statistics for different races.
Embellishing was allowed so I placed trim around all the swimwear. Seed beads were applied to the nipple areas--one having dove pasties for the working girls. Crosses were made from the back side of Breast Cancer bracelets, and 4 people's names and date of death were added. Four different style bracelets appear on the border with words of "courage, hope, strength and endurance". Breast Cancer ribbon pins were applied in the main Breast Cancer Ribbon. Four Angel pins were applied to the quilt to watch over all. Happy face heart erasers were applied to make you smile.
I created a "stop breast cancer" sign with a ribbon in the center.
Remember, get them checked, and do it often, so your name will never end up on my quilt.