quilt idea
11-11-2016, 08:28 AM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
A local church here has a Guild, it meets once a month and everyone does their own thing, except for one month every one works on quilts for the Linus Project. It starts at 9am and ends at 4pm, on a Saturday, we all bring our own lunch except for a salad or dessert to share. The ladies that are members of the church coordinate it all, the dues were $20.00 for the year, it buy items needed. I got involved because a member invited me. I loved going but life got in my way. If you can get a few people to start, it can grow over time. Put notices out like Onebyone did and if possible see if a local paper can give it a free space. When you meet a new person that sews, give them an invite flyer. My church used to have a similar group but it was on Thursday afternoons - it ended as the members got older and older. I worked full time so weekdays were not an option, which was the case for a lot of folks.
11-11-2016, 08:33 AM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
I put up notices everywhere, Walmart craft/fabric dept. library, grocery stores, Dr. offices, about a Quilting Group being started and anyone interested in learning how to quilt or to share their quilting skills were welcome. I was hoping for at least 5 people. At the first meeting 63 people showed up! The group has evolved and change but still going strong with an average of 25 members after eleven years. We have a yearly local quilt show to display our work. Loads of fun and no meetings, rules, or elected officers.
11-11-2016, 08:38 AM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
Small parishes are just as likely to do this. A church near me quilts every Thursday morning, but they are making charity quilts. Now they are making diapers from T-shirts . They cut them just under the armpits and use the bottom section, although I haven't seen a finished product. These are sent to places where mothers are unable to buy disposable diapers.
11-11-2016, 08:45 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
I never heard of that sounds nice for the people who can not buy them. I know my Mom & Dad spend well over $300. a month on pull ups, pads, guards, toilet paper, bed pads etc. It is costly.
11-11-2016, 09:04 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
My sister turned to her sewing machine to make extra money and to save her sanity when she became 24/7 caregiver to her husband. This was in a town of about 350 people. She would sew or repair anything for anyone. And because she could not 'get out' for social contact, she opened her home to anyone who wanted to learn to sew or quilt. Over the years the group dynamics have changed considerably, with more young and newer residents mixing with the seniors and original members, but they still meet at her home once a week except for summer. They still make one communal quilt a year that is donated for raffle with the proceeds going to a local charity or Home. Last year they organized working bees and made over 200 dresses for little girls in Africa--donating their own fabric. This year they are making toques and hats for children in First Nation reserve schools in Northern Saskatchewan. These will be combined with purchased mitts and gloves as well as any donated coats.
I have always said that my sister should be Mayor of her small town because over the last decade+, she has done more to bring the people of her community together and to further harmony, than any other person I know.
OK off my soap box, but just wanted to say--you could do something similar, even if it is only one or two other people to start. If we all said "It's a good idea but I can't do it." nothing would ever be started or changed.
I have always said that my sister should be Mayor of her small town because over the last decade+, she has done more to bring the people of her community together and to further harmony, than any other person I know.
OK off my soap box, but just wanted to say--you could do something similar, even if it is only one or two other people to start. If we all said "It's a good idea but I can't do it." nothing would ever be started or changed.
11-11-2016, 09:12 AM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Take time for God today
Posts: 966
The interesting phrase in your first paragraph is, "does not have people you know". Strangers are strangers until they are friends.
Women are social creatures! Be bold! Put your great ideas out there and see what happens. Your group doesn't have to be just for sewing. It can be for any type of needlework, knitting, crochet, etc.
I wish you luck and think you will be pleasantly surprised!
Women are social creatures! Be bold! Put your great ideas out there and see what happens. Your group doesn't have to be just for sewing. It can be for any type of needlework, knitting, crochet, etc.
I wish you luck and think you will be pleasantly surprised!
11-11-2016, 11:38 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Blacksburg, SC
Posts: 731
For some of us, other responsibilities limit our free time.
I have a full-time job, with an hour-long commute, am active in my church, and have a small farm. It's hard for me to commit to something beyond all that, but I do have a longarm group that meets every other month. I love it, the ladies come from all over the state, and I always come away with new knowledge. Since it's only every other month, I don't feel as pressured as I would with a monthly guild.
The UFO group here on the Quilting Board is another "group" that I do not feel any pressure from, just a great bunch of "cheerleaders" that encourage me constantly, and there is no criticism if I don't post for a couple of days or even more.
Once I retire, I may participate in more of the area guilds - two of my area quilt shops have "sit and sews" one day a week, where you can come and bring ANY kind of handwork - knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or quilting - and just get with new people and get out of the house. And who knows, I may start something myself with my tiny church after retirement.
If you're really just hungering for some interaction with other people, reach out to your local elementary school and do a class on quilting. The subject covers SO many things - American History, home economics (or whatever they call it now), Arts and Crafts, recycling, math, and even community outreach (the class can make a few baby quilts and donate to a needy cause). The teacher will LOVE having someone else teach for awhile, the kids will love the "new teacher", and whoever you donate to will also love having a baby quilt for their little one. And teaching this to little kids (3rd grade is just about the perfect age) means that your audience will not be at all critical of your teaching skills.
I have a full-time job, with an hour-long commute, am active in my church, and have a small farm. It's hard for me to commit to something beyond all that, but I do have a longarm group that meets every other month. I love it, the ladies come from all over the state, and I always come away with new knowledge. Since it's only every other month, I don't feel as pressured as I would with a monthly guild.
The UFO group here on the Quilting Board is another "group" that I do not feel any pressure from, just a great bunch of "cheerleaders" that encourage me constantly, and there is no criticism if I don't post for a couple of days or even more.
Once I retire, I may participate in more of the area guilds - two of my area quilt shops have "sit and sews" one day a week, where you can come and bring ANY kind of handwork - knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or quilting - and just get with new people and get out of the house. And who knows, I may start something myself with my tiny church after retirement.
If you're really just hungering for some interaction with other people, reach out to your local elementary school and do a class on quilting. The subject covers SO many things - American History, home economics (or whatever they call it now), Arts and Crafts, recycling, math, and even community outreach (the class can make a few baby quilts and donate to a needy cause). The teacher will LOVE having someone else teach for awhile, the kids will love the "new teacher", and whoever you donate to will also love having a baby quilt for their little one. And teaching this to little kids (3rd grade is just about the perfect age) means that your audience will not be at all critical of your teaching skills.
11-11-2016, 12:21 PM
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 148
I applaud your interest in starting a group. My community is a city of 80,000 people and they have a quilting group at the senior center. I have not joined but i know members who are very happy there. I donate material that I no longer
like or which I ordered but turns out to be quite different from the on-line photo/colors.
If your parish has a newsletter put an ad in there.
like or which I ordered but turns out to be quite different from the on-line photo/colors.
If your parish has a newsletter put an ad in there.
11-12-2016, 05:37 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 894
My group started out as an Adult school class in our local recreation guide. We kept signing up for back to back classes until our teacher retired. When she left, we split into two groups. One group moved to the Senior Center and the other moved to a new local quilt shop. Our groups are each about fourteen members and we have met for about twenty years each week.
11-12-2016, 08:19 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,373
I go to a tiny church with a handful of ladies who like to sew/quilt. After one woman requested that we form a group, they appointed me as the leader. Oh, dear! But God gave me leadership qualities I never knew I had, and I ask for lots of input from the ladies, so no huge decisions fall on me. Our church is very supportive, especially since we make quilts for a ministry that helps girls out of sex trafficking. They are even building us a room, since we are in cramped quarters at the moment. I might ask for an announcement to have all interested people have a meeting and just ask what they would like to do. Explain your vision, and see how many are on board. A leader may emerge from that meeting, so you may not have to organize everything yourself. I wish you well! Our group's work is so rewarding, and we have a lot of fun!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
0
01-20-2011 10:34 PM
