September Featured Maker and Pattern: Strip Dash by Jessica Schunke of Blue Sky Modern Craft
We’re back! We hope you all are wrapping up a wonderful summer. We certainly enjoyed our little August break and even managed to squeeze in some sewing. This month, we’re excited to reveal that one of our very own founders, Jessica Schunke of Blue Sky Modern Craft, is back with another pattern!
Jessica’s featured quilt pattern, our September pattern of the month, is Strip Dash. For the month of September, Jessica will be donating 75% of the proceeds from the pattern to the National Association of Minority Veterans (NAMVETS). Read on for this month’s chat with Jessica about Strip Dash and her role in Modern Service Quilts!
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your quilting journey?
I’m the owner/designer of Blue Sky Modern Craft and an editor by trade who’s managed to bridge the gap between my work and craft, writing and tech editing a growing number of my own and other designers’ patterns. I began sewing and quilting in 2009, shortly after moving to St. Louis from my home state of Texas and finding that a new hobby was a good way to get settled and meet new friends. A few years later, I joined the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild and discovered the joy of being surrounded by fellow fabric lovers and makers. I served as both president and secretary of the guild, and luckily, it’s where I also befriended my fellow MSQ co-founders! I was also privileged to work in a beloved local quilt shop for several years before it closed, and my time there truly expanded my knowledge of fabrics and how best to combine them. In my quilting, I love using bright prints and solids and incorporating texture and handwork wherever I can. My quilts have been featured in national and local quilt shows, and my writing has been featured in a number of collaborations with fellow quilting creatives, the Modern Quilt Guild, and businesses.
Why did you want to collaborate with Modern Service Quilts?
I was intrigued by the idea of Modern Service Quilts from the moment Lilo and Kristy first approached me about it. The controversies that have, at times, surrounded the military have often clouded the good work and honest service performed by most of its members, and I wanted to be a part of shining a light on the good and thanking those who have served our country. I especially loved the aspect of highlighting some veterans’ organizations that focus on members of the military who are often overlooked or even denigrated, including women, minorities, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Do you have your own personal connection to the military, service members, or the tradition of making honor quilts?
My maternal grandfather served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and my paternal grandfather served in the Navy during the Korean War. I am so proud of both of them.
This month, we’re highlighting your Strip Dash quilt pattern. Why do you think this particular design lends itself well to becoming a modern honor quilt?
While my Folded in Love pattern was the first one to be included in the MSQ lineup, Strip Dash was actually the first quilt I designed with this project in mind. In its MSQ iteration, it reminded me of a (perhaps) subtle nod to the stripes of the American flag. Of course, done in others colors, it could be just about anything you’d like (as the cover quilt attests), but toss in those reds, whites, and blues, and you’re all set up for a simple but striking modern service quilt.
Do you have any other patterns you think could work well as honor quilts?
My Folded in Love quilt, which MSQ highlighted last fall, is another great flag-inspired option and obvious choice, but I also love the idea of my Heart of Hearts quilt being used for the right veteran. I created a series of mockups in a blog post this summer highlighting ideas for patriotic versions of both patterns (and — spoiler alert — additional ideas for Strip Dash, too).
Do you have any tips for making a quilt pattern appropriate for an honor quilt?
As the team has come to realize over the months of planning our collaborations, many different kinds of quilt patterns can be tweaked to become honor quilts. At the most basic, choosing a modern star pattern or making the quilt in red, white, and blue will automatically send you down that path. But thinking more broadly, consider patterns that may have a “shield” or “badge” element to the design or perhaps longer lines that might evoke a flight path. The design you choose may vary depending on the branch of the military in which the person you’re making the quilt for served. Think flight paths for the Air Force, waves or boat-like elements for the Navy, and so on.
You’ve chosen to support the National Association of Minority Veterans (NAMVETS) with your Strip Dash pattern sales this month. What led you to choose that particular charity?
I think all of the organizations MSQ has highlighted are worthy, but I was especially interested in choosing one that supported both racial minorities and female veterans. NAMVETS’ mission statement says it all: the organization is “grounded in the belief that all Veterans – regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sex orientation, or religion – have earned the right and privilege to have full access to the American Dream. Our aim [is] to be a key resource of information, support, advocacy for veterans – especially minority and women veterans – as they work to improve the quality of their lives."
Jessica, we’re so glad to have you on the MSQ team and heading up this month’s pattern. Head to Jessica’s shop to purchase your own copy of the Strip Dash pattern by September 30, and share your wonderful work by tagging Modern Service Quilts (@modernservicequilts, #modernservicequilts) and Jessica on social media (@blueskycrafter, #blueskymoderncraft, and #stripdashquilt). We can’t wait to see the beautiful quilts you all make.
If you need information on donating your finished quilt to a veteran, check out this page.
We’ll be back mid-month with more information on the sample quilt we made using Jessica’s pattern and some fun mockups of the quilt in different color schemes. Until then, be sure to follow us on Instagram for lots more photos and information and sign up for our email newsletter below.
