Astronaut Karen Nyberg's New Quilt Challenge

Astronaut Karen Nyberg, who made history as the first person to quilt in space, is on a mission to inspire creativity by launching a new challenge focused on the moon. Ten years after her groundbreaking patchwork of stars, Nyberg is calling on students, crafters, and quilting enthusiasts across the United States to participate in "The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Challenge."

The Lunar Quilt Challenge Details

This exciting initiative invites American students in grades seven to twelve, as well as individual quilters and artists, to create quilt blocks that celebrate the theme of the moon. The best selections from each of the 50 states will be assembled into an official "Lunar Quilt," a project personally designed by Nyberg herself.

Exhibition at the Kennedy Center

The completed quilt will be exhibited at the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as part of the anticipated "Earth to Space: Arts Breaking the Sky" festival scheduled for spring 2025. "I am thrilled to announce a new challenge, this time celebrating NASA and humanity's return to the moon," Nyberg expressed in a promotional video. "Your design should represent what space exploration and returning to the moon means to you."

NASA's Artemis Program

NASA has ambitious plans to return astronauts to the moon, aiming to launch missions as early as late next year—marking the first human landing since the Apollo program concluded in 1972. The Artemis program, a pivotal part of these plans, envisions establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon before setting sights on Mars.

Submission Guidelines

To ensure the quilt pieces fit seamlessly together, participants are encouraged to use dark blues and blacks as backgrounds and adhere to specific measurements of 12.5 by 12.5 inches (31.75 by 31.75 centimeters). Nyberg emphasized the importance of precision in quilting, paralleling it with the exacting nature of rocket science.

Techniques and Sustainability

Participants can use a variety of quilting techniques, including traditional piecing and appliqué, and are encouraged to be eco-conscious by incorporating upcycled materials, perhaps from old clothing. Each quilt block should prominently display the name of the state it was made in.

Important Dates

Individuals can submit up to two quilt blocks each, with the intent to participate needing to be communicated by November 20. Digital photos of the designs must be submitted by December 10. Finalists will be notified by December 20, and they will have until January 7, 2025, to mail their physical blocks.

Resources for Participants

A comprehensive toolkit and application for the challenge are available on the contest's website, making it easy for crafters to get started. Nyberg is eager for participants to begin their creations; "This is a quick-turnaround project. The Lunar Quilt will be showcased at the Kennedy Center in March, so start creating!"

Nyberg's Historic Quilting in Space

In a remarkable feat, Nyberg made history in 2013 while aboard the International Space Station, stitching a 9-by-9-inch (23 by 23 cm) quilt square, which became the inspiration for the International Quilt Festival's "AstroBlock Challenge." This initiative saw over 2,200 quilters from around the globe contributing their own astronomical-themed fabric blocks.

Judging and Completion of the Quilt

Having retired from NASA, Nyberg now channels her space experience into her own fabric designs and artistic endeavors. For the Lunar Quilt Block Challenge, she will take on the role of a judge alongside Bonnie Schrock, CEO of the National Quilt Museum, and officials from NASA and the Kennedy Center. Nyberg will expertly combine the finalists' blocks along with her artistic flair to complete the unique quilt.

Save the Dates for the Festival

Mark your calendars! The Kennedy Center's groundbreaking Earth to Space Festival will take place from March 28 through April 13, 2025, with more exciting details to be announced in the coming months. Don’t miss this chance to stitch your dreams into a piece of art that celebrates humanity's next steps towards the stars!