Okinawa Memory Quilt

Seven months ago I did the unthinkable and agreed to be in charge of a group making Okinawa Memory quilt squares. Why so unthinkable? Let's see, mostly because I don't sew. The last thing I had sewn before I started this group was a bean bag in Jr. High Home Ec. (since then I did sew - by hand - my girls' super cute aprons for Christmas, thanks to my friend Desiree - good practice for this group). Yet I somehow was convinced that not only could I do this, but I could help others do it at the same time. The idea was I would get together a group of 20 women. We would then each choose something we loved about Okinawa/Japan/something we could easily sew, then create a pattern for that object. We would make 20 of the same square, then when everyone was finished we would exchange squares, and end up with 20 different squares commemorating our time living here. Many tears, much stress and drama, and even a few scars later, we are done. I still don't own, or know how to use, a sewing machine, but something beautiful was created. See for yourself:

Fan

Hibiscus

Whale shark

3 Tears Symbol (this symbol is found on the Okinawan flag and tells the story of a brave samurai - it symbolizes courage...I need to look up the story again)

Bat (huge and all over Okinawa)

Lantern

Gecko (again, all over the place here)

Geta shoes

Map of Okinawa (including various U.S. bases on the island)

Bonsai Tree

Koi

The Faceless Shisa (protector against evil spirits - I may put a face on him later if I can figure out how to do it)

Plastic Palm Trees (found on all the car lots here)

Pineapple

Sanshin and drum (the main instruments of Okinawa)

Kokeshi doll (beautiful wooden dolls that are very popular here)

Kimono

We are still missing 3 squares (one got moved to another base, and 2 are MIA), but hopefully in the end we'll also have a blowfish, sushi, and beach scene. I'm thrilled with how they turned out, and even more excited that we are DONE. Now...how do I make them into a quilt?