Jim's Gem

I went to my Guilds semi-annual charity quilt give away. We have just under 300 members in our guild and yesterday we gave away over 360 quilts to various charities. In June we gave out over 250. I only had one quilt in each give away.
It was so special to be there and hear the various charities get up and talk about what they do with the quilt and tell some stories of how they then gave them away. They paraded each quilt through the room between the tables and where I was sitting I had the best view in the house as they came directly toward me. I could reach out and touch one if I wanted!! Made me want to run home and whip up a bunch to give away in June. Actually I did pick up one pre-cut kit and have already put the top together. I won't be able to finish it for a while cause I'm not supposed to be quilting right now. I am also putting together another kit that was mostly pre-cut too. (shhhhh, don't tell anyone!) We have member that take donated fabrics and put them together into "kits" with a pattern (not real well explained directions for a newby) We can choose a kit and do any part of it we want. I will usually pick up a kit and finish it completely. If I wanted I could just do the top, or the quilting, or the binding or whatever. Sometimes the kits are pre-cut, which is good for me right now.
We had some Christmas activities including a fat quarter exchange, each table was beautifully decorated by a person or two or a "small group" (there were sign ups) We voted on the prettiest tables and had a lunch of finger foods. I had a wonderful time.
I am so glad that I can participate in such a wonderful guild full of wonderful people. I don't get to go every month because I volunteer at our church MOPS group and many times the days fall on the same. I have never been able to go to a workshop or class because I work all day on Wednesdays. On Tuesdays, when both MOPS and guild meet, I work 12 - 5. Though I am off right now on disability.

amma

That is so awesome that your guild has given away that many quilts to such worthy causes!!!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time :D:D:D

Deb Ny

That sounds like a great group and service. Nothing warms your heart more than to give service to someone - I think that's why we enjoy making quilts...the end result is like giving someone a big warm hug. It was great of you to make and donate your two quilts!

Tiffany

Gayle, it sounds like our guilds are very similar when it comes to charity. I can't help but feel honored that I get to contribute in some small way to help others, especially around the holidays. My local guild also helps with those families who have had a fire and lost everything, which happens more than it should this time of year. It's wonderful to hear of other guilds out there that do the same thing.

Quilters are such amazing people!!!

Mamaskeeto

WOW Your guild does alot of charity quilts. My guild is smaller only around 85 of us. We usually have a pattern that is given out for blocks and then in January we sewing them into quilts at our meeting. Some of us also make quilts on are own to donate. This year at our December meeting the charity quilts committee will also have per packaged kits for anyone that is interested.

Jim's Gem

Most people just make their own to donate. There is a lot of fabric donated and as I said there are groups that will take the fabrics and "kit" them. Our guild does not pressure anyone to make or donate quilts for charity but when you see our "parade of quilts" you just want to add to it.

I saw a couple of hand appliqued, hand quilted quilts going through that parade!!! Most are quilts that you would be proud to give as a gift.

I like to use the ones I make to practice my Free Motion Quilting.

jacee kay

we just had our guild Christmas party. Instead of exchanging names we had a baby shower for the pregancy center near us. we had decided to make them our project for the year.They were very thankful for all the things. They try to provide a layette for all the mothers to be after the baby comes.

Jim's Gem

In addition to the 600 quilts we have give away in 2009, there have been a couple hundred knit caps for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit here in Ventura as well as lots of bibs and burp cloths and another hundred pillow cases. We also supplied 90 quilts to our new veterans home that just had it's grand opening. We sent 90 quilts to the Neonatal Unit, 30 of them were Christmas quilts for the Christmas babies. We have about 9 different charities we give to as well as quilts for the Home of the Brave project.

Jim's Gem

Can you tell I am really jazzed with our guild right now!!!

beachlady

That sounds like a wonderful guild to belong to.