Just a thought for those less fortunate than us....................

It's dangerous to get me thinking. What about making the quilts lap size. This size will work for any age. And use emb. sq. on both sides elminating the need for backing fabric.

1 comment

by cordura5 16 May 2008

If you use embroidery on both sides, then that just contributes to the chance of pulled threads, etc. A lap quilt should be smooth on one side so it will not be scratchy against your legs. Especially if these go to an older person. Their skin may be more sensitive to irritations. Just a thought...

Overall, this is a great idea. Food for thought-Since we are all over the world maybe we should consider rotating who we send the blocks to. That way everyone would have a chance to give a quilt to a charity.

libster, did anyone ever decide on a date to send these squares to you? I would love to send one.

Libby, this is a fantastic idea! And a wonderful use of our time, energy, and the *designs* we have all been collecting for 'just in case' we need them. We all do test sews on new designs, so why not do them on a square of pre-washed muslin? I'll be in touch for sure, you are definitely a Wise Woman, Libby. Marji

1 comment

by libster2896 25 Mar 2008

My address is somewhere in all this, do I look forward to a surprise in the post from you, Marji? Hope so.

great idea's here. *4U

OK for those who are interested in doing a block, lets make it 8x8 inches square, pre-washed to prevent post quilt sew up shrinkage, how about 100% cotton. Good idea Ruthie, more room to play with for a good design and less stitching together so they can get done quick. I don't think a theme is important (but if anyone thinks otherwise, let me know) as the idea is something from all over the world for someone in need. We are a diverse bunch by nature of location, sewing machine brand and thread choice and in this case, what design/imagination we have to offer. Once again I am happy to give my address and stitch a couple of quilts, but if anyone else wants to put their hand up and do some stitching, especially in another country (I am in Australia) so we can really spread our love and efforts around the world.

3 comments

by ruthie 25 Mar 2008

Maybe each country could do a quilt, and give it to a local place, that way we would each be involved with helping our own people. Those ladies who are the only machine embroiderer in their country, could join with another country if they wanted. Or if they wanted to make a quilt for their local charity, we could help them by sending squares. Let me know what you think ladies. Also libster, it might be an idea to decide who it will be given to before we start, as in adults or children, this can help decide what designs we stitch. Thanks.

by libster2896 25 Mar 2008

If the stitcher of the quilt knew what charity it was going to, that would be a start as to decide what type of quilt, child, baby, adult, etc. I have put my address somewhere in all these comments and am happy to do a single bed size for a teenager/young child so feel free to post some blocks. 8x8 inch, pre-washed cotton, don't forget name and location of embroiderer. Hope this helps to get it all started.

by libster2896 25 Mar 2008

Sorry, that would be older child, not quite a teenager.

Good suggestion libster, I would go more for the *doing* rather than donating money. I think we all probably donate money to our favorite charities already, so making something sounds good. I'm already in a group of ladies who knit and crochet squares for blankets to give to one of our local charities, and we do a few blankets a year. It would need very careful planning, like - theme - yes/no, fabric - type, and washed/unwashed. And I'm wondering whether a larger square, maybe 8x8 ins, would be better, it would give you more fabric to play with when assembling the quilt, and would require less squares per quilt. Just an idea, and as I'm not a quilter I'd be interested to hear what others think. Hugs and flowers to you sweetie.

Another idea.. my GDs were in NICU for a month after their birth. I stitched out FSL angels to hang all over their rooms. The NICU staff was very impressed and when the girls left we gave most of the angels to them for thier other tiny patients and their familys. Now when they start running low I get a call and replenish their supply. It's such a small gesture but really has a huge impact. I send an assortment and the nurses let the familys pick the angels they want. MIL does preemie quilts for the same hospital.

1 comment

by libster2896 25 Mar 2008

This is a beautiful idea maryjo. There is also a Christmas decoration in lace with the pink ribbon on it representing breast cancer on emblibrary. I have the design downloaded and have cancer through my family (aunt had bi-lateral mastectomy years ago and her dad, my pop, died of cancer also) so I was going to do something similar for the cancer institue/womens hospital.

This is a great idea. My oldest son now 28 months old had cranial surgery at 3 1/2 months ( he was diangosed with craniosaggitalsynostisis, the saggital suture on top of his skull fused before he was born) anyway we stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Greenville North Carolina, on the day he was able to go home they let us pick out a quilt form a closet filled with quilts. Just makes you feel good. I would love to help and I am willing to bet my mom would help us put some of the quilts together. Although I am unable to do too much right now. We are getting ready for the big move from North Carolina to Texas. If all goes well we are suppose to move around the end of April. I will talk to her about the piecing of the quilts. SHe used to make wedding dresses, and wind socks for the Texas Renaissance Festival, and she has also made some quilts. Oh yeah and she also used to work in a sewing factory when she was you nger. I believe she can make just about anything. (she collects sewing machines like some of us do designs (ha ha) she only has about 30 machines from antique to newer}. She loves to sew. I will talk to her and let yall know what she says.

1 comment

by cordura5 16 May 2008

Texas? Did I hear the word Texas? I am a displaced Texan living in California at the moment. I grew up near Houston though and really miss it. (though not the bugs of course) Where is she in Texas? She must have an enormous house to collect that many sewing machines...

Well, I'll take the plunge, but keep it simple, I am not a quilter and all those little bits of material meticulously organised frighten the heck out of me. Make blocks of 6 and half inches by 6 and half inches square, any design, your name, state and or country, maybe you could put a native animal, state floral emblem, cute picture, or whatever you like and I will stitch them up. Send them to this address ..... 116 Hospital Road, Emerald, Queensland, Australia, 4720. When I have finished will post a picture and let you know where I have sent it to (probably childrens hospital or Ronald McDonald Charity House for families of children from remote areas that have to travel long distances for medical treatment at major hospitals). Start stitching ladies, I look forward to doing something like this.

1 comment

by libster2896 24 Mar 2008

Oh, and it's Libby Fisher. It should not be a problem getting to me as my hubby works for the post office and step-son does our mail round for our house.

This sounds like a great idea, I do not quilt, but would love to make a block with my name and Home State. Maybe everyone could do something that they love. But who well be welling to post her address so we can send her out blocks? MAYBE SOMEONE CAN GET A BOX OFFICE NUMBER FOR THE ADDRESS FOR BLOCKS TO BE SENT TO.

1 comment

by libster2896 24 Mar 2008

I have already done it, it is the answer just above your question. But if you want to send me a block, please keep it 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches so it will be easy for me as I am not a quilter either. If you have something spectacular, and it needs to be larger, maybe double that size, so I don't have any frightening little bits to worry about to fill gaps (see comment above yours). flowers for you.

This sounds like a great idea, I do not quilt, but would love to make a block with my name and Home State. Maybe everyone could do something that they love. But who well be welling to post her address so we can send her out blocks? MAYBE SOMEONE CAN GET A BOX OFFICE NUMBER FOR THE ADDRESS FOR BLOCKS TO BE SENT TO.

great idea but would need a lot of planning. The quileters group I used to belong to did what they called a friendship quilt. each of us did a block and it was joined together and sent to childrens hospital

In the US there is an organization called Project Linus. It is a totally volunteer organization with chapters in most states. Most of the quilts that I make are donated to the local chapter. They are donated to hospitals, shelters and individuals that find themselves in stressful situations. If you organize something like that you may want to look them up on the internet. I'm sure there are other organizations also that do similiar projects in the US and other countries.

2 comments

by libster2896 24 Mar 2008

Thanks for that, there is also organisations like the Salvation Army and Red Cross, which are pretty much universal. A flower for you.

by cordura5 16 May 2008

We have made quilts in the past for Habitat for Humanity. That's another option...

It sounds great, I am not a quilter too but can contribute with embroidered squares. Flower for your great idea

Libster....sounds like a plan. How would you pull this off? Do you have any details? ;)

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by libster2896 24 Mar 2008

Libster.....sounds like a plan, gosh, I haven't heard that phrase for years since I was in the Army Reserves, where I was renowned for being up to no good......!!!
I guess if some folks where happy to quilt, we could get addresses and post embroidered squares to them for quilting. They could then select from a list of charities (we all put forward ideas for this) and send quilt to charity in their home state/country. As for payment of other supplies, I know I would certainly be happy to contribute to a fund, I mentioned paypal, as it is secure, from which the quilter could purchase additional materials and postage costs. I think there are so many of us, we could pull it off expense wise, and with our combined brains (we are women after all) a plan is acheivable.

That sound like a great idea!!! I would like to embroidery squares. Maybe several peple could put togather a quilt of love togather. Instead of just one person. I think it would be to over welming for just one person to do all the sewing. Name and place from good idea. Keep us posted and I'll be looking to see what rest of the world thinks. Who knows I might just be one of them who gets to put one togather. Want my squares from a variety of places.

1 comment

by libster2896 24 Mar 2008

Well, I am the first to admit, I am not a quilter, but you would try to get people from all over to do some quilting, it would be a killer in postage if it all happened in one place and we are from all over afterall. While I don't quilt, I would be happy to contribute to costs of wadding and thread, maybe a system of using paypal to donate and then the quilter could purchase materials. I think it would be amazing if I was in need and all these unknown people from all over did something like this and I was the lucky recipient. Restore a bit of faith in the world, crumby place the news always tells me it is.

After reading about donations to childrens hospitals, etc, I was thinking, what if, as the massive online family that cute is, we all embroidered a square or two (or more), send them to folks from all over on the forum who is good at patchwork (if anyone would be prepared to volunteer)to put them together and donate them to places in need. Also put your name and where you are from on the square and we could have quilts of love all over the world. Let me know what you all think.