This is a quilt my cousin, E, made. I love the scrappy look it has and it is an ingenious way to use up lots of little scraps! I also love how the quilting and attaching squares is all-in-one (check out the detail picture below)! It's a fantastic way to put a quilt together! Here's her story:
I made this quilt in March for an auction to benefit a family who's baby daughter was diagnosed with Schizencephaly. This is a syndrome where the two sides of the brain don't communicate with each other and can cause a lot of problems including frequent seizures. Baby M has three older sisters, and was traveling hundreds of miles across four states to a clinic to try and help her little body control the terrible seizures she had, leaving her father and sisters at home. Her grandfather organized an auction to try and help with some of the medical bills. I got an email about little M and knew I could do something to help.
I made this quilt entirely from my scrap box. The front and back are old sheets that I've been saving for a really good project. A lot of these colorful scraps were given to me when I very first decided to sew by two amazing women, who the quilt is named for. They are full of strength and faith and love, and if little M and her family can posess any of those qualities I know they will be able to make it through all the medical issues they will be dealing with. This quilt sold at the auction for $95 and I couldn't be more pleased.
E: I'm in love with how you do so much to help others. You hear of someone in need and don't even think twice about doing something to help--you're the first to sign up! You're a great example to all of us! Thanks for sharing!
This year marks the 15th year our church has held the Bee. Congregations and quilting groups from all over the area work on quilts all year in their own organizations. In February, we come together and work for one last day to finish up.
Most of the quilts are tied, but there are some that are quilted and we are now accepting fleece blankets and crocheted or knitted afghans. The gym in the church is full of quilt lovers from all over the area working together for a great cause.
After working for a few hours in the morning we break for a luncheon and then a presentation. The quilts are totalled and handed over to NAM (Northwest Assistance Ministries). This is an organization that helps people in our area who are down on their luck. When a family goes through NAM's program to get back on their feet, each person in their family gets to choose their own quilt.
Imagine finally being able to get into a place of your own, maybe not even having a bed for everyone yet, but every family member has their own quilt, made with love.
This year there were over 300 quilts donated. That's a lot of selfless work. Aahh, it feels good to be a part of something like this.
