M is for--A Quilters' Alphabet for Blog Action Day

We interrupt this quilters' alphabet to bring you:

M is for MATH!

Today is Blog Action Day with a focus on POVERTY.

So how does this all tie together?

Here are some sites that will, much better than I can, highlight the math of poverty. Go on. Take a minute and look at the statistics.

Global Issues

Bread for the World

You didn't click on them, did you?

Okay, here are a couple of bits of math you would have found if you had--one fact from each:
Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
Every day, almost 16,000 children die from hunger-related causes--one child every five seconds. In essence, hunger is the most extreme form of poverty, where individuals or families cannot afford to meet their most basic need for food.

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Now since it is the Quilter's ABC, here is some quilt math:

Because of seam allowances, there is a bit of math needed to put together a quilt and have it come out accurately.

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The math of seams: Quilters generally use a ¼ inch seam allowance. The most important thing about it is that the seam allowance is consistent. If it is varying, then no matter how much you measure, things won't fit.

The math of squares: A square will be cut ½ inch larger than the finished size to allow for the seam allowance.

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The math of rectangles: When cutting a rectangle, consider that there is at least one fewer seam.

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The math of triangles: Triangles are cut from squares that are larger than those cut for a square piece. For half square triangles, add 7/8 inch to the finished size of the square that they will end up in. For quarter square triangles, add 1 ¼ inch to the finished square size. Some quilters choose to add more and cut the square to size afterwards.
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Since this is a quilters' ABC each Wednesday, how about an M quilt block?

Here it is, the Maple Leaf. This is a collection of blocks I won in a Block of the Month a few years ago. They have been hiding among other fabrics and materials.

Once again, how does this all tie together?

I will be putting the Maple Leaf blocks together into a quilt to donate to Habitat for Humanity, along another from these house blocks sent to me by Sally for this purpose.

Habitat for Humanity strives to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. The quilts can be given to families as they take possession of their own home, or used by the organization for fundraising.

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Each of us has a talent that can be used or left to wither. Using a talent for the benefit of others has overwhelming benefits to you, too. What is your talent? and how do you use it? Can you use it in some way to alleviate poverty?

There is a discussion on poverty going on at Sr. Julie's blog today. I've only read about half of the book that is the springboard for the discussion, but I expect that it will not matter.


One idea I have picked up from one of the essays is the idea that we make poverty invisible by not giving it a name. That reminds me of so many of us, if we pass by a homeless person or someone begging, we avert our eyes. Poverty can't be eliminated if we do not look it in the eye. Look at it, identify it, acknowledge it.


Stop by the discussion and see what others are thinking.

And how can you use your talent to help alleviate poverty in your corner of the world?