Blog readers often send me quilt tops.  I machine quilt the tops and bind them.  Then the finished quilts are sent off to a worthy charity.  This is one of those….
I have a new charity quilt on the frame…
This one came in one of my birthday boxes. Â It’s just baby size so I decided to toss it on the machine before it got lost in the shuffle. Â This one I believe came from Elley.
I found a cowboy print blue fabric for the background and decided it was a good way to use it up. Â With the blue on the front, blue on the back seemed like a good choice. Â I have to say, it’s nice to quilt a baby quilt once in a while. Â It’s instant gratification to get one on and off the frame so quickly.
I did get a question from a blog reader Linda who asked, “……. Just curious – what do you think is a ‘good size’ for Charity Quilts? How many quilts have you donated this year? It must be quite a lot.”
Personally I think twin sized is really the best size for charity quilts….or anything 60 x 80 or larger. Â That will cover a twin bed…it will keep one person completely warm. Â I think that it’s the best usable size all in all. Â I do quilt lots of quilts that are smaller than that though. Â The one on the frame might find it’s way to a nursing home or shut in elderly person. Â It’s a nice size to put over the legs of someone who is wheelchair bound. Â Whatever size we get, we quilt them up and look for a home for them.
As far as how many quilts we’ve donated this year…I don’t know. Â I don’t take the time to count. Â I know I’ve done a lot fewer this year than last year just because of the move and getting settled in this house. Â No matter what number I get to when counting, I will always feel like it’s never enough. Â I have been so blessed to be able to buy a long arm quilting machine…blessed that I have fabric and good machines to sew on….blessed that my body allows me to enjoy this hobby….No matter how many quilts I do, there is always a need and I can never repay my blessings. Â I just choose to not waste the time in counting finished ones when instead I could be looking forward and doing more. Â I really love working on them. Â In the end feeling good about myself and working to help others is more important than any number.
I just love your response to this question! I, too, feel incredibly blessed and love to share my “bounty” of fabric! Having quilted for over 35 years, I have a stash that I will never be able to use up. There are a couple of local charities that make quilts and it give me great joy to share with them! I am thankful for people like you who can quilt them! I truly enjoy your blog and your lovely family. Being from Minnesota (although I haven’t lived there since I married in 1971), I think we have similar values. Thank you for your generous spirit and for sharing your life with us!
Jo, it’s so nice to read about your charitable acts. You are truly inspiring. As busy as you are, you manage to help others. I love doing charity quilts and pillowcases. I’m going to challenge myself to do a little more in 2016.
Before an unplanned hiatus from quilting I did quite a few quilts each year that went to our Sewing Circle at church. The funds from their sale go to support local ministries (a shelter, a crisis pregnancy home, etc.) and the ones that don’t get sold in 2-3 sales get donated to places like the women’s shelter, shut-ins, etc. It never even occurred to me to count them. There was the joy of creating and then the blessing of sharing that with someone who wanted it and bought it or needed it.
That baby quilt pattern is so pretty. Happy Holidays!
I was able to donate quilts for Illinois tornado victims this year. It was a joy to be able to pass them on. I am using my stash to make and stockpile quilts to send to others. Jo, I so enjoy reading about and seeing the charity quilts you do.