I Believe in Juneteenth Angels

I always return to my I Believe in Angels series. I like to keep my angels close so I have made many angel quilts over the years. I can always think of another reason to have an angel close by.
 
Since Juneteenth became a national holiday, I have challenged myself to make a new Juneteenth quilt each year. This year’s Juneteenth happens to be an angel. Imagine the joy formerly enslaved people must have felt when they heard for the first time that they were free. I believe they considered it the long awaited answer to a fervent prayer. God would have sent an angel to make sure they received the word.
 
“I Believe in Juneteenth  Angels” is created using fused appliqué sewn with a machine blanket stitch. Her is made from a bright African print which sets the theme for the quilt. I made her hair on my Janome sewing machine using a decorative stitch and black thread. After adding the borders, the quilt measures 27 X 29 inches, a good size for a wallhanging.
 
I quilted her on my Janome sewing machine using variegated thread.
 
After adding binding, a hanging sleeve for easy display and a label to document the quilt, I embellished “I Believe in Juneteenth  Angels” with charms, buttons, cowrie shells and crystals. The cowrie shells on her feet honor her African heritage. Her hands are adorned with crystals and blue crystals make  the sky sparkle on such a celebratory day. I love painted buttons, and I add them whenever I can.
 
I signed it on the front and added a charm near my signature that says “angels watching over me”.
 
This quilt is one-of-a-kind. 
 
Happy Juneteenth!