Three Bags of Fabric

Three bags of donated fabric were gratefully received today, Sunday July 26, 2009.

Each donation of fabric takes its own life, its own path. Whether is it destined to become a Quilt for Kids or for Quilts of Valor it will not change the story of why we all try to comfort those so deeply deserving of our commitment to “surround them with love”.

The donor worked through great pains to find the MSP Quilting Angels. The internet was her solution. To our delight, a connection was made.

It was an untypical summer Sunday morning. The breezes were light, holding back the certain summer humidity. “The GPS says we’ll be there at 9:45 AM”, I said as my husband drove my mother and me to the family’s home.

A cheerful greeting took place outside as the husband was taking the family puppy for a stroll. We greeted each other at her door and entered. “Hi, I’m from the Quilting Angels!”, “Thank you so much for finding us and the donation” An unknown honor was about to take place.

An exchange between the past, the present and the future, “I’d like you to meet my mother; she’s 93 and a little hard of hearing” she said. You could see the tubs on the table. These ladies were two generations of crafters, sewers, givers of love and tradition. We greeted Mom and the smiles poured forth. She knew the fabric would be in good hands. Our benefactor went on to say, “There are some nice fabrics for the children, you can see them there; Oh and some batting too!” We knew the future was in front of us and we knew what to do.



The morning before, on Saturday July 25, it was an untypical summer morning, with light breezes holding back the rising humidity. Two young men in spit and polished uniforms stood beside the remains of Lester P. Thorne which were to be laid to rest. My husband sobbed through a eulogy for his father in which he spoke these words, “…helping a friend, tending to a neighbor’s needs or simply holding someone’s hand in troubled times, as we turn this page, we come upon a page without words, without history. Our course is not yet recorded, our future lies ahead…”

This gift, this fabric will also have a history. From Mother to daughter, from hand to hand, the donation will have a history, a legacy of giving and helping someone in troubled times.

And so it goes, Freedom isn’t free. Whether our stitches are comforting our wounded warriors returning from war or children with pediatric cancer, someone fought for your freedom to ensure you could help someone less fortunate.

It’s not about joining up, but joining in – what you do has greater meaning.

Find out how YOU can JOIN IN

Quilt On!

Kathy

A Journey Toward a Common Goal or Two Paths Crossing

Today, the MSP Quilting Angels welcomed two new members – Kendra from Hagerstown and Rachel from Rockville!

Welcome Ladies to the Angels.

The ladies that join us and those that are already members have vastly different skill levels – from beginner to advanced, yet we all share one common goal – helping others.

The MSP Quilting Angels provides quilts for two worthy organizations – Quilts of Valor and Quilts for Kids. The Quilts of Valor are delivered to our VA hospital in Baltimore and the Quilts for Kids are delivered through the Candlelighters during the Annual Tree Lighting Event held in Washington, DC.

Kendra, an advanced quilter (and longarmer too!) is interested in forming a group in her hometown and is helping the Angels comfort soldiers and kids with cancer. Rachel, a new quilter, is learning pattern selection, design and basic quilting skills.

Though is may seem odd to some readers, both Kendra and Rachel share a common bond – helping others. Irrespective of your skill level, whether you join in locally or create the Block of the Month, it is one thing to join UP, but the most important thing you can do is JOIN IN.

In 2004, Suzanne Wade and Kathy Adams (pictured above), together founded the MSP Quilting Angels – a party of two. In the beginning, there were many needs and a few but growing number of quilters. They built the group, delivered numerous quilts to many organizations. Upon this foundation, the MSP Quilting Angels have gone on to deliver hundreds of quilts, to several organizations, been recognized by national organizations for service and partnered with others across the nation to create heirloom quilts from donated blocks.

What made the difference? Not merely the number of those that joined, but those that joined in the fun of a community working together.

When is the next meeting? August 1, 2009.

The question is….will someone Join up or will they Join IN?

Quilt On!

Kathy

Flag Day - June Block of the Month

The pride and honor we associate with the Flag of The United States of America, is long steeped in history.

A proper presentation of that history can be found here.

The June Block of the Month celebrates our patriotic forefathers, veterans, those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom and our wounded warriors.

Join us in celebrating our history and the freedom we hold so dear.

The 2009 June Block of the Month is the 8 Pointed Star.

Let’s get started with the details…just click HERE!

May Flowers - The Pinwheel

May Block of the Month – Easy Pinwheel

When I think of May, I imagine children running outside with pinwheels. Maybe that’s because of Mother’s Day or maybe it’s because my birthday is in May. It’s a sign that summer is on its way. So this month I chose the pinwheel as the block of the month. And this pattern also works great for our soldier quilts.

This month the pattern is super simple. A single block can be sewn in less than 10 minutes. In fact with these instructions, you’ll find that you will actually create two blocks. And I’m going to make this a free-for-all for the size of the finished block. You can make your blocks for Quilts of Valor or Quilts for Kids. We’ll mix and match depending on the starting size of your block. But do watch your seam allowances so that we have standard blocks.
Get all the details HERE

Facebook, New Friends and How to Reach Out

Wow! Ask someone savy about the new social networking arena and you get an onslaught of information.

What you come to realize is that what is old is new again, just in a different form.

My Mom would chat with neighbors across the fence, at a coffe klatch, at church or at kids activities.

Today, we are BOTH electronic AND the other tried and true methods!

Life connects at the speed of light - no kidding.
And so, the MSP Quilting Angels, take to the electronic stream on Facebook, with our stories about Quilts of Valor, Quilts for Kids and our whole ball of wacky ideas.

Last evening, I set up Facebook and looked around. Ladies that sew and quilt are everywhere and have a connection to the area! These ladies are true cross section of each talent, from beginner to true fiber artists!

I was particularly thrilled to receive an early reply from Terri in Inwood, WV.

Terri writes "I am interested in contributing to your cause. I think it's wonderful. I would be happy to make some quilt of valor bags, Quilts for Kids and block of the month. Because of the distance and time involved, I would be unable to participate in person, but would be more than happy to contribute from afar".

Terri gets it!

We'd love to have everyone one join us every time we Sewing and Quilt...the reality is, it just isn't possible, life happens.

Lori in Wenatchee, WA caluclates it takes about 20-30 minutes to whip up ONE BLOCK and if you made one block every day, that would make 18 quilt tops every year - all in 20 minutes a day.

We pay tribute to the wounded warriors and children sufffering from pediatric illnesses through our sewing and quilting efforts.

Join us today. Make a difference. You'll be glad that you, like Terri, will be perfoming a "wonderful thing" in the life of those so deserving.

Quilt On!
Kathy

Http://www.mspquiltingangels.org

Blocks: January February March

The gift wrapping that goes around your Quilt of Valor

You create a Quilt of Valor with Love to provide Comfort to wounded troops.

Wouldn't you want to wrap that gift for presentation?

Of Course!

First of all, thanks to all who participate in our “Block of the Month”. Your efforts really pay off. I’m nearly done with the instructions for our March block and it’s a good one. We’re doing a maple leaf block. It’s quick, easy and looks fantastic so I sure hope you enjoy it. In the mean-time I thought I would talk about our presentation bags.

Each Quilt of Valor we send out is lovingly placed in a bag with a “Quilt of Valor” letter to the recipient. We provide our warriors with drawstring bags as many of them like to hang the bag on their wheel chairs. This is a great use for some of the jean, corduroy, drapery or upholstery fabric that many of us have lying around from home projects. If you are local and do not have any of these materials, you can stop by and pick some up. We recently received a donation of fabric from a furniture shop so we have it on hand.

The instructions are quite simple. Each bag has a pocket included on the outside. Generally it’s about a 5” square pocket but whatever you want to make is fine. The bag itself is made from a 22” by 44” piece of fabric. You can serge or sew the sides up. Then turn down about a 2 – 2 ½” casing. Make sure that you left an opening on both sides for a drawstring.

Cut two pieces of drawstring approximately 55” in length. Start on one end of the bag and thread the drawstring through the casing all the way around. Tie it off. Then start on the other opening and thread it through. When you pull on both drawstrings it should cinch up.

If you want to make the bags but don’t have the drawstrings, just go ahead and send them, we’ll string them. Don’t worry if the bag is a little smaller or larger based on the size of the fabric you have. We do have some quilts that might be a little smaller or larger and we’ll match the bag with the quilt. This does not have to be exact. But we do need one for each soldier quilt. If you could even make one a month it would be fantastic. It takes only about 20 minutes to make one.

Thank you for all you do for our soldiers and our kids with pediatric illnesses. We also make pillow cases for the children. If you are interested in making those, let me know and I will post the instructions for the pillow cases.

Your efforts provide a great deal of joy and comfort to the people we serve.

Quilt on! And Sew On!

Kathy

February 7 Sewing Day - New Ladies Join the MSP Quilting Angels

Wow!

The ladies have been busy working on the February Block of the Month - the disappearing 9 patch.

Three new ladies joined from Meetup! How great is That?

Srilatitha dropped in to see what the group was all about - yes YOU can too!

Jean was the morning team cheerleader welcoming returning Meetup! ladies and welcoming new comers Sylvia and Amy - Way to go ladies! Welcome!

It sounds like Amy is so hooked she took home a bag of squares to make the disappearing 9 patch!

Pam and Paige stopped in during the day (and they were painting the kitchen at home too!) to get advise on the kits Sarah created earlier (Great idea Sarah!)

Sandy provided guidance to Pam and Paige on pressing those new blocks to make them crisp while demonstrating how to keep seams straight when sewing.

Brendalee! Great to hear you were able to join in the fun! Brendalee came from Woodbridge, VA.

Thanks again to Sandy for her help given to Brendalee on binding Brendalee's new quilt!

Ladies, that is what we are all about - sharing our knowledge for a common cause!

Tell others, bring friends, gosh they don't even need to sew - we'll just hook them on the friendship!

Glenda completed her quilt top from the beautiful orphan blocks and was on a quest for backing material.

Sue O picked up fabric from Arhaus in Tyson's Corner that will be used for Quilts of Valor.

Estelle got hooked on crumb blocks - she made them all day! Go Estelle!

Glenda made a carrot cake to share for lunch and convinced all the ladies on their New Year's resolutions the cake was great for the diet conscience.

Hey Deb stopped in to drop off baby quilts she had quilted and she finished one with multi-colored fireworks exploding on a white background (did you see the pictures on Flickr ?

Marion finished one quilt top of the January block of the month and we may have enough to make one more!

One more remarkable day of over 20 ladies sewing and quilting for Quilts of Valor and Quilts for Kids with pediatric illnesses.

Quilt On!

Sarah Y for Kathy

See Kathy's report on Quilting in Hawaii Next week! - Mahalo (That's Hawaiian for Thank you!)

Quilting / Sewing Day - January 10

Wow, what a day it was!

Orphan blocks, crumb blocks, childrens hand crafted blocks, Quilts of Valor!

The ladies did not let down during the busy Christmas season. We eagerly awaited our new members from Meetup.com .

Everyone one had so much for Show and Tell.

Sandy was so proud of her many quilts, Sarah was over the top with her new accomplishments and Lynn brought in many of the childrens hand made blocks from the community day sponsored by GSK/RTP.


Block of the Month was the new buzz! It is so easy to make a block even for those with limited time and better for those that only want to "sew and not quilt!".

The full slide show of the day unfolds at MSP Quilting Angels' Flickr! site.

Ladies, you have inspired me to quilt more, quilt more often and reach out to the greater community. Our soldiers and children with pediatric illnesses need our help and you show the MSP Quilting Angels can help!

Quilt on!

Kathy