What the Quilts Look Like

This weekend, Holly delivered our quilts to the storehouse to be forwarded on to the Church Humanitarian Aid Center and distributed to those in need.  This project has been an amazing experience for us, at least for me, as we've worked together, with the community, and with our families to make these big thick quilts for some unknown friend to use. 

I was thinking as we stacked up 18 90"x90" quilts about how beautiful so many of them are.  I thought about the many hours so many of you gave to make them.  Time given in spite of to do lists and personal concerns.  I thought about our hands; pinning and sewing and cutting and stitching.  Then I thought of my mom.  One Christmas she pieced quilts for me and each of my siblings.  She made them each special for us, colorful, soft, and unique.  Coming up on 15 years later, they're still around, keeping us cozy.  They're good quilts, they're warm.  But I love mine because someone made it special for me. 

I imagined being the recipients of one of these quilts.  It's one thing to be handed a scratchy brown standard issue quilt that will get the job done.  Would you use it and be thankful for it, sure!  But what if you were handed something soft and colorful and one of a kind?  Something made special.  Something made by a person with a heart and intentions, not an automated machine.  For me, at least, something about a different quilt, a beautiful quilt like one of these would speak calm to something in me.  I think the love stitched in it would help me feel peace in the middle of a mess. 

So what, exactly does 18 queen size and 3 baby quilts look like?   All bagged up, like this:

All stacked up, like this:

Thick as a mattress!  Need a more whimsical visual?  Think "the princess and the pea"....

Click on this picture of the baby blankets for a better look.  The fabric was donated by a non-member friend and I was in love with the end results!  They'll keep 3 little babies warm and entertained ;)

So congrats, friends!  Thanks again for a great project :)  We love you!

Quilting Wrap-up

 

Shortly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti we wanted to find a way to contribute relief to the victims of disasters like this.  As a presidency, we soon settled on the idea of making quilts and we asked for your help.  The results have been phenomenal!  Together, we found the time and the resources.  We assembled, bound, and tied seventeen thick and cozy 90" x 90" quilts and two baby quilts.

Many hands make light work....

We plan to deliver the results of this project to the bishops storehouse this Saturday.  We're trying to round up the last few quilts that were distributed to be tied so if you have one, please contact Holly or myself.  We'll do our best to get pictures up of the total finished project.....all stacked up it looks like a full size mattress!

Again, as a presidency, we'd like to share our love and appreciation for each of you, always, and especially in working together in this effort.  It's been a pleasure!  We love you.

(photos by Kristen Tutt)

Quilting Marathon Activity

To replace the postponed activities that were interrupted by this week's storm forecast we are going to take advantage of Winter Break by hosting a Quilting Marathon Activity:

Help us assemble, sew, and maybe even get a jump on tying!  The format is open house, so come and go as you please!   


All day Wednesday, February 17th from 9 AM to 9 PM and again Thursday morning, 9 AM to noon.

The Relief Society will be providing light refreshments and may organize take-out at mealtimes.  Feel free to bring additional snacks to share!

We invite you to bring any friends and/or family members who are interested :)  We especially invite you to bring your daughters' participating in the Young Women or Faith in God programs!  We will open up the Primary wing as a play area for little ones (supervision will not be provided but we will help arrange a rotation for sisters who want to quilt and bring their kids along).

Still want to donate materials? We've collected enough fabric for about 20 quilts but are still working on getting batting and smaller supplies like white thread, safety pins, straight pins, needles and especially clamps.  If you have these items to donate or lend please contact Jennie Wilde or Connie Harrop so we can maximize the use of cash donations elsewhere.  Thank you!

Quilts for Disaster Relief

The Relief Society (via LDS Humanitarian Services) is getting together a little project to make quilts for victims of natural disasters like the terrible earthquake in Haiti.  We invite every ward member (and friends!) to participate in this effort to provide some relief to the victims of such devastating events.  Wanna be a part of it?  Here's what you can do:


We need:

 Donated: fabric (90x90, preshrunk if necessary, no denim or corduroy please), batting (bonded polyester 1/2 inch thick), pins, thread, needles for tying, yarn, and your time!
If you choose you may also make a cash donation to help purchase these items in bulk.  To do so, please speak with Jennie Wilde or Connie Harrop.
 
Lent to us:  sewing machines, quilting frames and 2 1/2 inch or larger clamps, fabric scissors, tacks, (please label clearly so we can return them easily)



When it's all coming together:

We're looking to gather as many materials as we possibly can by Sunday, February 7th so we can get working.  I know that's just a few days warning so of course we'll continue to take donations as they trickle in but would like to get things started as soon as possible :) Please bring whatever items you can donate or lend to the Relief Society room.

Wednesday, February 10th we will gather at the church to assemble, pin and begin sewing at 7 PM.  Those who can't make it Wednesday night would be invited to come help Thursday, February 11 at 10 AM.  Any unbound quilts will be sent home with volunteers to finish.

Saturday, February 20th we will have quilting frames set up and ready to go beginning at 10 AM.  Additionally, there will be "tying parties" announced to be hosted in your neighborhood groups between February 16th and February 27th.  Watch for those dates.  We will leave a quilt up on frames on the stage at the church from the 20th until they are all done so if you happen to be at the building stop in and do a couple stitches!

Even if you can't make it to any of these events we invite you to participate!  Barbara Hogan is exploring the possibility of coordinating with a Randolph school to get a few done.  You could also do one as a family, as a project with your spouse, with your book group, for a girls night in.....you can find simple instructions here

As quilts are completed we will collect them in the Relief Society room.  The first batch should be turned in by Sunday, February 28th in order to be shipped to Church Humanitarian Services (and forwarded to those locations most in need) on March 1st. 

Thank you so much for your good works!