Quilts Keep People Warm

This is a Christmas Quilt I made years ago for my Mother for a Christmas Gift.  After her passing, my Dad returned it to me.  I am not a "true" quilter, but have made several family quilts similar to above with no definitive pattern.  As I continue to work my way through the alphabet...Q was a stumbling block for me.  Then the word quilt came to mind. 

We've not really had people making and donating quilts, but...........we could.  Why couldn't they be part of our afghans that we donate to Homeless Families Foundation?  Though I know making a quilt is quite time consuming and so, I guess I'm asking...is it practical for us to suggest people make and donate quilts?  This one is warm, but realistically, I use it primarily for decorations, and obviously only once a year.  But, if it weren't a Christmas Quilt, could we do that?  Are any of you quilters?

Some of the afghans we've received and donated through the years have looked like a quilt in their design.  If this is a reasonable idea, perhaps there are ways to connect with quilters here on the net?  Perhaps it's too costly a venture.  I don't remember what I spent to buy the fabric, thread, backing, bias tape, or cotton batting...been too many years.  If anyone is a sewer and has some idea of costs, please let me know.  I like throwing out ideas of things I think might be helpful for Bridge and Beyond, but I don't want to spend lots of time trying to find quilters if this isn't a good idea due to time and costs.


**The counts on our progress bars are current, the percentages not quite. I'll not be figure the percentages with each update of numbers, but will be updating again next at least by the 20th. I have in fact made a reminder not on my cell phone for the 20th of each month to do percentages. If we're at a milestone, or I just have extra time I may do it more often...but certainly at that scheduled time

.** All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

First Donation of 2013

Hats, and socks, and a quilted scarf...keep looking

More quilted scarves, and flannel scarves.....don't stop yet.

Thank you Lola for our first donation of 2013.  Like yesterday's post (if you missed it, please please scroll back and read it),  thought it was scheduled to post, but apparently it was still in draft form.  I can't give you the numbers here as this post was truly in draft form and not completed.  Will have to update with numbers on my return when I can check the note laying on my desk at home.  I can tell you there are 22 hats here and lots of scarves.

Lola is a quilter and wanted to try her hand at making quilted scarves to donate to our cause.  Please click to enlarge the picture so you can see her work.  The scarves are a wonderful size, big enough to wrap around which always makes things warmer.  The red, black and gray is flannel.  Stacks of double thickness flannel scarves.  There are a variety of sizes, many look like they'll work well for young children.  Flannel is soft and so I can these might work well for young children...even when they need to tie across their faces to keep warm.  I'll be checking with the various shelters, and schools to see how the flannel is received/used and let you all know what I learn.

Lola's friend Sue (I hope I'm remembering that right, as mentioned note in home on my desk.), has a sewing shop in Westerville and had all her students make 1 scarf before they made whatever item they had signed up to make. (that's where all the plaid flannel scarves came from.)  I'll edit this post with numbers and name if I remembered it wrong.

We've been a knitting and crochet group now for the past 4 years.  While I don't wish to change that focus, I think as we start our 5th year we'll open up the groups mission to include sewers/quilters.  Our focus has always been HOMEMADE.  It's my belief (and others too), that homemade conveys more hope/love then store bought.  With that in mind, I believe we'll reach out for additional helping hands to sewers/quilters.  I think quilts would make a nice addition to our homemade afghans for Project Welcome Home.  I like the idea of the quilted scarves as they are double thickness with batting.   I think we'll limit it to that for the time being, as I don't want to veer from the need of warmth, and  think most sewn items probably aren't as warm as we need them to be.  So, if you have friends who'd like to help but haven't because they don't knit or crochet....let them know they can assist with making quilts and quilted scarves.  Please remind them to check the scarf and afghan tabs for necessary information about size and colors.

**edited to add numbers**

2013 Donation Totals 
Hats:  22
Scarves: 38 (31 flannel and 7 quilted)
Socks: 6

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated, and all donations keep someone warm. We help, one stitch at a time. YOU truly DO make a difference. THANK YOU!