The COVID-19 global pandemic has forever changed the face and heart of our EARTH.  Without discrimination, COVID has destroyed millions of lives and livelihoods.Quilters around the world have rushed into action to construct face masks, gowns, caps and other protective gear. At a time when we want to gather together, we are encouraged (and sometimes ordered) to stay apart.

One year from now, five years from now, one generation from now, how will you remember COVID?  What stories will you tell your children, grandchildren?  

Remember, back in the day, we met friends and kept friends as pen pals.  We communicated by writing letters, telling of our daily activities, sharing secrets and securing life-long friends.

During this pandemic, we are fortunate enough to be able to communicate through cell phone and internet technologies, but there is still a place for good old-fashioned pen pals.

While you construct your COVID FRIENDS quilt, you will sending and receiving fabric scraps from quilters across America.  Share your COVID story with your new quilting friends.  Meet your new pen pals online during (optional) ZOOM quilt alongs.  Who knows, maybe someday soon, you will have the opportunity to meet up with your quilting pen pals at a quilt show or festival.  And maybe, just maybe, your COVID FRIENDS quilt will be hanging in the show.

Dig into your stash and be prepared to exchange fabric with (up to) 80 quilting friends.  For each exchange, you will provide: 
     (1) 2-1/2"x20" strip
     (1) 1-1/2"x20" strip
Your total fabric outlay will be less than 4-1/2 yards -- but don't forget that you will also have to plan for postage costs to send ONE flat rate envelope with your fabric strips to Stitchin' Tree.

Download this form for the FABRIC EXCHANGE

We first introduced our pattern Old Friends in 2012.  The pattern features (9) classic quilt blocks set in Ohio Star block, with 9 by 9-patch setting units.  

Our COVID Friends quilt design was released June 5.  Quilters will select (9) block centers from (10) block options.  Each block center tells part of the COVID pandemic story.  Check out the blocks and background options on our COVID Friends Story webpage.

COVID Friends sign up will be open from May 1-October 19.   The cost to join is just $40.  Your membership will include:
     COVID Friends pattern
     Quilting Pen Pals (optional)
     *Fabric Exchange postage costs to distribute           to the other quilters
     Private Facebook Group
     Fabric exchange prompts
     Block 1-2-3 Quilt Along Zoom August 17
     Block 4-5-6 Quilt Along Zoom September 21
     Block 7-8-9 Quilt Along Zoom October 19
     COVID Friends Show & Tell Zoom November
     Quilt Along Video Library

*Quilters who do NOT want to exchange fabrics can also participate in the COVID Friends quilt.

For your own quilt, you will need to add 
     (8-9) yards background fabric
          your choice: white, off white, cream, gray,
          black, or any color you choose
     (2-3) yards coordinating fabrics

We're happy to help if you need assistance with your fabric selection.