Quilt Giveaway
About this time every year, I think about quilting for charity. I know summer seems like a random time for that, but I have a good reason. My sister is the special events coordinator for HospiceCare in Madison, Wisconsin, and each fall she organizes a very classy Gala as a fundraiser. Part of this Gala is a silent auction, with items ranging from signed University of Wisconsin Badger gear (Madison is a very enthusiastic college town!) to donated jewelry to tickets to events to…quilts. The money raised from the event and the auction helps HospiceCare to continue its excellent care of patients nearing the end of life and their families.
Of course, being a slightly last-minute person, I somehow end up waiting until July to get started on my donation for the year. Last year I fell in love with the Very Hungry Caterpillar fabrics and designed a kids’ quilt, coupled with a copy of Erik Carle’s book of the same name. It raised $310. Here’s the quilt:
This year, I got busy with other responsibilities (job + 5-month-old baby = slightly hectic life!) and realized last week that I had no plans for a quilt. Oops! Fortunately, as a quilting magazine editor, I have options at hand. Over the years, I’ve sewn a couple projects for the magazine, and I have a stash of finished projects not currently in use.
This year’s project is a table topper made from Keri Beyer’s Urban Farm collection, with coordinating tea towels and napkins. I think I’ll package it with a bottle of wine and some nice cheese in a nice basket. Hopefully it raises a nice little sum…every bit helps!
As quilters, there’s so much we can do to help others in need, whether it’s donating a quilt to a charity event to raise money, donating fabric to a good cause, or making quilts for soldiers, nursing home residents, or sick children. I’m hoping that this year, in addition to the quilt I’m giving to the HospiceCare event, I can work up another charity quilt or two. After all, the piles of fabric in my sewing room aren’t doing anyone any good just sitting there. If you’re interested in making a quilt or donating fabric for someone in need, below are some links of worthy causes (many of these have been featured in Quilt’s Quilting Friends feature).
Lisa Swenson Ruble
Tags: Lisa Swenson Ruble
About the Author: Lisa Swenson Ruble
I made my first quilt when I graduated from college and realized that I needed a hobby to fill all those hours that used to be dedicated to homework! Eleven years later, I'm completely addicted to quilting and thrilled that my day job as the managing editor for Quilt, Simple Quilts & Sewing and Quilt Almanac allows me to "play" with quilts and the friendly world of quilters!
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