Our Greatest Generation quilt by Anne Munoz
Anne Munoz, a gifted Agave quilter, recently won the Moda Piece and Comfort quilt challenge at the local (store) level. Here, in the greater Phoenix area, the challenge was sponsored by Mesa quilt shop, A Quilters Oasis.
After winning at the local level, Anne’s quilt was entered, along with many other shop winning quilts, in the national level of the challenge. Then in May, on-line voting took place to find the overall most liked quilt. The objective of the challenge was to use a specific group of patriotic themed Moda fabrics in a new, creative and imaginative quilt, entirely designed around the fabrics themselves. Although Ann did not win the on-line voting segment, her quilt, with its many photos and commemorative embellishments was a definite favorite.
When asked about the inspiration for her quilt, Anne says, “I recently found a box containing the love letters between my parents during World War II. The letters spanned the time from before they were married, their proposal, the birth of their first child and more. The bombing of Pearl Harbor was a lasting memory as it happened on my dad’s birthday. It is the reason I used the (Pearl Harbor) photo in the quilt. My (own) love of country is a direct result of my parents’ patriotism.” When Anne found out about the Moda Piece and Comfort challenge, she knew this was her chance to share her parents’ love of country, and their love for each other. It is somewhat remarkable that the letters and pictures were saved all these many years and that Anne was able to locate and use them, along with other saved memorabilia. The quilt, called Our Greatest Generation, is actually a tribute not just to her father, but to all the men and women who serve, or have served in our armed forces. True service of others (and country) was a theme in the Munoz home and Anne grew up knowing that her mother was the first woman to sign up for the California Civil Defense under the new Warden’s program, while her father was enlisted and away serving his country. Agave is very proud of Anne Munoz for the beautiful quilt she made, and for her service to Agave.