Bead-It-Forward bead-quilt project

Published: October 24, 2011

The Bead&Button staff is excited to announce that we'll be playing an expanded role in Jeanette Shanigan's Bead-It-Forward bead-quilt project, which benefits breast cancer research.

For the past several years, Jeanette Shanigan has been the driving force behind the Bead-It-Forward bead-quilt project in which she corralled squares of beadwork from around the world and pieced them together to form bead quilts that were donated for our annual auction at the Bead&Button Show. Since 2006, these pieces have generated more than $18,000, which has been donated to the Medical College of Wisconsin for breast cancer research.

The bead-quilt theme for 2011–2012 is "Birds - flocking together to fund breast cancer research." Please consider completing one or more 1.5 x 1.5-in. (3.8 x 3.8 cm) beaded squares and sending them to us. The complete rules and guidelines, as well as several sample patterns, are available below.

The deadline for submitting squares is March 1, 2012.

We're delighted to be a part of this worthy cause! Won't you join us?

Guidelines for the 2012 Bead-It-Forward Bead-Quilt Project

The title of the 2012 bead-quilt project is “Birds - Flocking together to fund breast cancer research and find the cure.” The beadwork on each donated square should be 1½ x 1½ in. (3.8 x 3.8 cm) square.

You may use ANY beadwork stitches or other techniques on your square, but the motif of the square must reflect birds of any type or variety. You may use any colors, shapes, or styles of beads on your square, providing the overall motif is the bird.

Each beaded square must be attached to a 2 x 2-in. (5 x 5 cm) backing, either white Pellon Peltex 70 ultrafirm stabilizer or Lacy’s Stiff Stuff beading foundation. Cut the backing into a 2 x 2-in. (5 x 5 cm) square. With dotted lines, outline a 1½ x 1½-in. (3.8 x 3.8 cm) square in the center of the backing. You may dye the backing or color it with permanent markers if you wish. Stitch directly on the backing up to the dotted lines, or securely sew your completed beadwork to the backing within the dotted lines. It is very important that you stay within the dotted lines, as it is difficult and/or impossible to sew squares together if they are irregular or too large/small in size.

All beads and objects must be securely attached to the backing with thread. Glue or tape is not durable enough. Do not cover the edges of the backing with fabric.

On the back of your completed square, please print your name in permanent marker and draw an UP arrow to indicate the desired orientation of the beadwork.

If your square is not received on or before March 1, 2012, it will not be included in the project. Likewise, a square that does not conform to these guidelines will not be included.

You agree to relinquish all rights to your completed square except recognition/acknowledgement of your contribution to the entire bead-quilt/other piece. After completion of the entire quilt/piece including your square, the quilt/piece will be auctioned off at the Bead&Button Show in June 2012.

Mail the completed square and the form below to Bead&Button Magazine, 21027 Crossroads Circle, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612. Feel free to email Associate Editor Jane Danley Cruz at jcruz@beadandbutton.com if you have questions.

Thank you for participating!

Click on the link below to download a printer-friendly version of these guidelines.