Another spring release is coming your way today. I’m super excited to share with you my Burst Throw Quilt! This is one of those projects that started out as something completely different than what you see in the pictures, but I love what I ended up with: a modern, simple, large block quilt! Make sure to get all the sweet details and images below and don’t forget to pick up a copy for yourself! This pattern has been tested to ensure that it’s perfect and easy for you to navigate. So, a big thanks to my fabulous pattern testers! You’ll see their images posted here as soon as they are done with their final touches. Now, onto the story behind this quilt…
While I was trying to think of a name for this pattern, I wanted something powerful, something that says movement, blazing, uncontrolled beauty. With the word burst came a rush of ideas and verses—it was the perfect idea summed up in one powerful word! In my mind it reverberates with what has been on my heart and mind lately and was perfect for spring, a time of cleaning out the old and bringing in new life.
In the book of Isaiah, in the Bible, God is talking to Israel. He’s sick and tired of numb religious practice. He says:
6 “No, what I want in a fast is this:
to liberate those tied down and held back by injustice,
to lighten the load of those heavily burdened,
to free the oppressed and shatter every type of oppression.
7 A fast for Me involves sharing your food with people who have none, giving those who are homeless a space in your home, giving clothes to those who need them, and not neglecting your own family.
8 Then your light will burst forth like the morning, your new skin will quickly grow over your wound; your righteousness will precede you, and Adonai’s glory will follow you. 9 Then you will call, and Adonai will answer; you will cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ … then your light will rise in the darkness, and your gloom become like noon.”
Isaiah 58:6–9 {The Complete Jewish Bible and The Voice Translations}
Isn’t that where we are? The numbness of winter, or maybe life has just worn us down to indifference. We don’t truly care, we don’t truly love, we don’t truly worship. It’s time to warm up—it’s morning, it’s spring. I’ve certainly reached a point in my life where I’m just numbly going through the motions. But on the other side of that numbness, it’s true, healing can happen, your light can burst forth again at the first glimpse of morning. But only God can change a heart, and He’s certainly working on mine. I’m so glad that this quilt will be a constant reminder of this time in my life, when things were looking so stale and suddenly burst into light.
I truly believe that quilting, sewing—any type of creating is so very powerful and even spiritual. It gives us time to truly reflect. I would encourage you, as you work on this pattern, to think about where your heart is. Are you numbly practicing religion, just doing the routine? Maybe you want nothing to do with God. Let me tell you, no matter where you’re at right now, God wants you heart and soul. He wants you to join him in this eternal dance full of love and passion and adventure. So, think about it. Stitch. Pray. Think.
Make sure to pick up a copy of this pattern for yourself in my shop! I’d love to see your finished project in the comments below.
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Check out these lovely renditions by my fabulous pattern testers!
Check out this lovely from Cindy over at CindyParrett.com!
I love the way that Lore, from Five Blessings Botique, used a pattern in her background, this would make a great pattern for that fabric you just can’t cut!
I love what Erin, over at Crafty Biggers did with the quilting on this one! Simply stunning!
See Burst, along with other great projects on Thank Goodness It’s Finished Fridays!
Striking! Congrats on the new release. I love the soft spring green against the white!
Thanks Jayne!
Rachel, I know it has been over 4 years since you posted this, but this blog really spoke to me today. We are entering a new year (2021) of promising healing and I just wanted to let you know how much your blog was appreciated. The fresh green burst with stars is so soft and beautiful, thank you for this pattern.