First quilter in area challenges college students, crafters to sew the moon

Ten years after launching a patchwork of stars from her place in area, astronaut Karen Nyberg is asking for quilters to create the moon.

“The Subsequent Big Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Problem” is now accepting moon-themed quilt blocks created by American college students in seventh via 12 grade, in addition to particular person quilters, crafters and artists situated throughout the US. The very best squares entered from every of the 50 states will likely be sewn into an official “Lunar Quilt” designed by Nyberg.

The finished quilt will likely be displayed on the Kennedy Heart of Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as a part of the “Earth to House: Arts Breaking the Sky” pageant within the spring of 2025.

“I’m thrilled to announce a brand new problem, this time celebrating NASA and humanity’s return to the moon,” mentioned Nyberg in a video posted to the competition’s web site. “Your design ought to signify what area exploration and returning to the moon means to you.”

NASA, along with its worldwide and industrial companions, plan to launch astronauts to the moon starting as quickly as probably as late subsequent yr, marking the primary time people will fly to Earth’s pure satellite tv for pc because the Apollo moon landings led to 1972. The Artemis program goals to determine a sustainable presence at and on the moon earlier than sending future astronaut crews to Mars.

Associated: NASA’s Artemis program: All the things you must know

To make sure that the chosen moon-themed blocks can come collectively to type a single quilt, entrants are requested to make use of darkish blues or black inside the background of their designs and constrain their squares to be precisely 12.5 by 12.5 inches sq. (31.75 by 31.75 centimeters).

“Precision is necessary in quilting, identical to in rocket science,” mentioned Nyberg.

All kinds of quilting strategies or a mix of them are welcome, together with conventional piecing, basis paper piecing and appliqué. Crafters also can use cloth dyes or cloth paints.

“Quilting cotton is a good alternative of material, however since upcycling is necessary for each our planet and for future area missions, we encourage you to contemplate incorporating some upcycled materials into your design — like possibly a few of your outdated garments,” Nyberg mentioned.

All squares must also embody the title of the state from the place it was created.

People could enter as much as two blocks every. Crafters want to tell problem organizers of their intent to take part by Wednesday, Nov. 20, and have to submit digital picture(s) of their design by Dec. 10. Finalists will likely be notified by e-mail that their quilt block has been chosen by Dec. 20 after which have till Jan. 7, 2025 to mail of their bodily quilt block for Nyberg to stitch into the Lunar Quilt.

A toolkit and software, in addition to additional particulars, can be found to obtain on the problem web site.

“It is a quick-turnaround undertaking, the Lunar Quilt will likely be on show on the Kennedy Heart in March. So begin creating!!” Nyberg posted to her social media channels on Tuesday (Nov. 12).