NIC Arts & Culture Quilt Project

In 2024, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force is presenting an Arts and Culture Series to explore the unique art forms of different ethnicities. Quilts have played a significant role in American history and culture for centuries. Quilts are as unique as the people who create them.

As we journey together this year to embrace the rich diversity of music, art and history, the ARTF Series team invites you to participate in the making of an NIC Arts & Culture Quilt. 

The submitters will complete and quilt individual blocks.  The submissions can be from an NIC individual, church or organization.  The squares are to represent their culture, community, history, or art. Makers are encouraged to incorporate a racial justice and equity theme, phrase, title of a song, etc.  All are encouraged to submit squares, not just those with quilting knowledge. For example, a youth group could submit a drawing with fabric markers on a piece of quilter's cotton.  

Individual squares will be assembled into a final quilt by Ida VanBoven, a volunteer quilting coordinator from First UMC in Elmhurst. She will be adding sashing, borders, binding, and a hanging pocket to the back.  

The completed quilt will be hung in the Northern Illinois Conference Office and shared at the 2025 Annual Conference. A book will also be created with photos of the quilts and stories about the individual squares.

Register your interest in completing a square

Download the form to send with submissions

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Submission Requirement Details: (Download as a pdf)

• One 8.5x 8.5 inch square per person or group.
• The design should represent the culture, community, history, or art of the presenter. A racial justice and equity theme, phrase, title of a song, etc. is encouraged to be included.
• The submitted blocks will be an almost completed “mini” quilt, complete with quilting (the top, batting, and back pieces are sewn together).
• The finished size of the mini quilt will be 8.5" x 8.5", and the design will be 8 x 8 to allow for seam allowances.
• Sew a label to the back with the name(s) and church of the individual or organization.
  • Label size should be smaller than 5"x5" and it should be sewn centered on the back of the block.
  • Information should be embroidered or written with an archival fabric pen.
• Materials to use:
  • Quilters cotton to be used for the pieced top and backing (backing is in a solid color).
  • Low-loft cotton batting for the inside
  • Quilting, embroidery, fabric markers, fabric paints, or iron-on transfers can be used for the design.
  • Use permanent fabric glue to attach anything not sewn.
  • Please DON'T use paper, stiff felt, plastic foam, or materials that tear easily. 
• Mail submission by Nov. 1, 2024. 
  • Complete this form with a short explanation of the quilt squares.
  • Send to:
       Ida Van Boven
       c/o First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst
       232 S. York Street
       Elmhurst, IL 60126
• Questions? Contact Ida Van Boven. Please type NIC Quilt Project in the subject line. 
• Please let Ida know if you plan to submit a square but will miss the Nov. 1 deadline. Tell her when you think you will send it so she knows when to expect it.