A Labor of Love: The Story Behind the “Crosses on the Mount” Quilt

Creating a quilt is more than stitching fabric—it's storytelling through color, texture, and intention. When crafting a quilt for a place of worship, the meaning deepens. Today, I’m honored to share the story behind a very special piece: the “Crosses on the Mount” quilt, created for the First United Methodist Church of Devine, Texas.

Hi, I’m Kelly Renay, and I’m absolutely thrilled to introduce you to this breathtaking quilt—designed and handmade by yours truly. It’s more than just a quilt; it’s a heartfelt tribute to faith, devotion, and artistry.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

The design of Crosses on the Mount was inspired by the profound symbolism of Jesus’ sacrifice. At its heart are three crosses—representing Calvary—standing tall against a sunset-hued backdrop. I wanted the color palette to reflect the heavenly glow of dusk: a celestial farewell as the sun dips below the horizon.

To capture that spiritual beauty, I turned to Confetti Cotton solids, by Riley Blake Designs, choosing shades that fade from warm yellows to deep, rich reds. These hues echo the dramatic sky of an evening sun and set the perfect stage for the silhouetted crosses.

The Power of Color

Selecting the color palette was one of the most important (and challenging!) parts of this quilt. To convey the depth and warmth of a true sunset, I used a stunning spectrum of 43 different Confetti Cotton solid fabrics—ranging from the softest yellow to the boldest burgundy.

The transition between each shade had to be seamless to achieve that glowing gradient. Every single color was hand-selected to create harmony, contrast, and depth.

Bringing the Vision to Life

Like many of my quilt projects, the process began in Illustrator. I built the design from the center outward—starting with sun-kissed yellows and working my way into the fiery oranges. From the outer edges, I layered in the darkest reds, carefully connecting the transitions so the tones blended smoothly.

Once the design felt cohesive and dynamic, I labeled each color, much like a “paint-by-number” for quilting. This helped ensure each fabric square would fall into place just right.

Sewing the quilt itself was a test of patience and precision. Color placement was everything. Triple-checking every piece was essential to maintain the subtle shifts in tone and preserve the overall effect—crosses illuminated against a radiant, glowing sky.

What Makes This Quilt So Special?

Quilts have always symbolized warmth, community, and care. But Crosses on the Mount goes further. Created as part of the First United Methodist Church of Devine’s fellowship hall beautification project, this quilt represents faith, sacrifice, and the enduring hope of redemption.

It’s more than decoration—it’s a spiritual centerpiece, honoring the heart of the church community.

I feel incredibly blessed to have contributed to such a meaningful project. My hope is that Crosses on the Mount brings inspiration and comfort to everyone who sees it—just as creating it brought me closer to the divine through thread, fabric, and faith.