I have something really special to share with you today - a project our quilt ministry has been working on for about eight months now! But first, let me introduce you to some of the group...
Here you can get a glimpse of our workroom at church. The quilt frame is behind the two ladies on the left (that's Piper in green and Rita, the Quilting Queen). Mary is standing at an ironing board in the window, and Twyla is looking for a quilt back to her right. Lisa is standing where she often is, cutting scraps into usable pieces, at the cutting table.
Back in April, I had a wild thought to make quilts for all the teachers at the local elementary school, which is a couple of doors down from our church. We have partnered with them over the years, offering space to them for conferences, sending teams over to work on their playgrounds, and the quilt ministry even fulfilled a teacher's wish by making book pockets for the backs of her classroom chairs.
We quickly realized that we couldn't make the number of quilts needed by the end of the school year so we took it on as a summer and fall project. And so we set to work making lots and lots of scrappy quilts! Some of them were made from tops sent by some of you, others from orphan blocks. We made lots of jelly roll race quilts and charm square quilts. Scraps were our friend!!!
And here's a picture of all the completed quilts, all stashed away and hidden from public view so we could accumulate enough.
Here's a picture we tried to take showing all the quilts to a little bit better advantage, along with some of the ladies who helped create them. Rita decided to get under the table for some reason!
Of course, it's always more fun to sew with friends, so Piper and Lisa joined her on the floor. We really have a lot of fun with this group of ladies!
We delivered 51 quilts to the local elementary school this morning, enough for every teacher, two vice principals and the principal. We made the principal cry! It's wonderful when we can use our gifts to make a difference in someone else's life, isn't it?
And FYI, it didn't make a dent in our scrap stash!!!
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How about a little inspiration now?
I love this idea - little nine-patch blocks surrounding a large star on point. Simple but oh so effective!
I really like the look of this quilt! So many places to look and for the eye to roam...
And isn't this a gorgeous pillow? It could really put those solids scraps to good use!
Hugs!
Sarah
What a great project and looks like you all had fun. Yes, I have been using my scraps a lot this year. It really makes a difference, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteWow, so wonderful to be part of a group that completes such a fantastic project! Like you I use scraps regularly, but the pile keeps growing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful space to sew, and create all these beautiful quilts. Loved how - with this team work - you were able to make these special gifts for the staff at the school. Did you remember the custodians :)?
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun-loving group of wonderful ladies!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt ministry is phenomenal in its outreach. You touch lives in your community with love and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic space at your church! Kudos to your group for such a wonderful outreach.
ReplyDeleteHow rich to have a room like that to work in at church!
ReplyDeleteI really like the little 9 patches around that large star idea!
Because I had already fallen for the giant star with the nine patches, I'll mention that is Amber Johnson's pattern at Gigi's Thimble for anyone interested.
ReplyDeleteI love how your group reached out to that school. Our church has a mentoring program where we partner with an elementary with disadvantaged kids. They immediately came to mind when I read your post. I'll have to let that percolate and see if an inspired idea comes together. Thanks for the nudge.
My husband and I have been attending performances of a certain gospel trio since last Jan. The men in this trio come out to the lobbies after each show and mingle with the guests - taking time for photos and just talking with us. My husband has 'mild' dementia, but doesn't forget a thing about these men. I'm sure they don't show him any preferential treatment, but talking with them just 'makes his day'. Because of this, I have been making each of them a quilt that my husband can present to each one when we see them perform again in Jan. Two are done and the third one is getting close to being ready to load onto my LA. If you want to see the quilts, you can see them on my blog... sunshinesquiltingaddiction.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThat's so awesome Sarah! What a blessing to all those teachers. Happy Stitching, Anna.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome project! Be sure to post pics of when you hand them out.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to spread a little kindness. Teachers, policemen and fire fighters/EMT's are often forgotten servants of our communities. Thank you for taking the challenge to honor those teachers.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible gift for the faculty and administration of that local school!! You are QUITE an amazing bunch of quilters.
ReplyDeletewhat a tremendous undertaking and wonderful result....have made progress with the scraps this year only realizing still have a looooong way to go...
ReplyDeleteSo great that you were able to give quilts to all the staff at the school! Your ministry ladies look like a hoot to work with :)
ReplyDeleteScrap quilt *do* rock! The more I make, the more I love them.
You are all co-conspirators - fun, fun! That has been a special project to work toward - hard to believe that many quilts came out of that time frame. So fun to give!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome gesture. I'm sure the teachers were touched.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible gift. It's such an honor to give to others, especially those who are quietly doing the work of raising and educating our kids. Kudos to you all. What a lovely gesture that is sure to be remembered for a long time...especially on those rough days of work when you can't think straight!
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