Friday, July 10, 2009

Comfort Quilts

Quilters are generous people. Quilts are made everyday that are meant to be given away. My guild, the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association has an active philanthropy committee. Last year the members made over a thousand items, quilts and receiving blankets, that were donated to local charities. That's a great number, and it is being matched all over the country, every day.

I bought this book this weekend and it has inspired me. It's chock full of projects suitable for people in the hospital, or nursing home, or just facing tough times.



The author, Jake Finch, tells of her own story of time spent hospitals and the comfort that comes from receiving (and making) a handmade gift for someone in pain. Her personal story is what makes this a great book.

The first thing I made out of this book is this bag that will hang over a walker, keeping treasures right at hand.




The number of charity quilts, blankets, nic unit squares made each year is astonishing. The only thing greater is the need. This book can help you starting filling that need.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! This looks like a great book. Can't wait to look at it when I get home...Loved the bag for walkers esp since I'll probably be using one for awhile when I get my new knee.

Camille Minichino said...

It's a hard to beat combination, when you enjoy your craft and it benefits others.

AND you do beautiful work, Terri!

Betty Hechtman said...

The bag is gorgeous, Terri. I think crafters have big hearts. I'm on a crochet list and there was a story someone posted that really touched me.

A woman who worked in a law office lost someone close to her and was having hard time keeping it together. Some people from her office wanted to do something for her and made an afghan out of squares. The woman carried it back and forth to the office because wrapping herself in it was like a comforting hug from her co workers.

Terri Thayer said...

The walker bag was easy and fun to make. Nothing to it, Camille.

The quilt world is full of healing stories like that, Betty. It's wonderful.

Jaye said...

Thanks for letting me know about this book. I think it might be a great gift for my Grama who is always looking for things to make.

Betty: your story about the comfort afghan is wonderful! I love stories like this, because it reminds me how caring people are. Thanks for sharing.