Quilting in record time
Central quilters respond to urgent call from Lutheran Word Relief;
join national effort to replenish supply depleted by needs in Haiti
In the nine months that comprised the 2008-2009 “quilting season,” which concluded last May, the Central Lutheran Church Women (CLCW) quilters made 85 quilts—a record in the 18-year history of the effort. In the course of only three recent days—February 4, 5 and 6—they made 31 . . . with the help of several folks from the congregation!
The accelerated pace is in response to an urgent plea from Lutheran World Relief (LWR), who distributes the quilts through partner organizations around the world. LWR has virtually depleted its supply of the handmade quilts by responding to the emergency needs in Haiti caused by the recent earthquakes.
LWR has sent tens of thousands of quilts to Haiti—with over 11,500 in the latest shipment just last week, according to Melanie Gibbons, parish projects coordinator at LWR headquarters in Baltimore. She said that LWR has redirected most of its supply of quilts and health kits to Haiti—items previously allocated to other partners around the world.
“As such, those partners will need to wait longer to receive the items they need. It will take the continued above and beyond generosity of our dedicated quilters and kit-makers to help us restock our warehouses so we can meet the needs in Haiti and around the world,” said Gibbons.
The Central quilters have responded to this need, but they have not done it alone, said Carol Henderson, who has been involved with the group since 1991. She said the reason the group was able to finish so many quilts in three days was that most of the “quilt tops” had been assembled in advance by members of the congregation.
Over the past several weeks more than 20 members of Central have taken home “quilt top packets’” containing pre-cut fabric squares’ and created a finished quilt top—the most time-consuming part of making a quilt, according to Carol.
“Then all we have to do is tie the top to the batting and the quilt back and that goes relatively fast, especially with a large group working,” said Carol. “We had a regular production line set up. It went just like clockwork.”
The Central quilters have now completed as many quilts as they did the entire last season and “there are several months left” Carol noted. The group had originally set a goal of 90 quilts this season “for the 90th Anniversary.” But it is now obvious that goal will be far exceeded, said CLCW quilting chair Joyce Bliss.
The combined efforts of LWR quilting partners churchwide is astounding: in 2009 more than 378,000 quilts were made and distributed in 20 countries. Overall Lutheran World Relief distributed 1,371 tons of quilts and kits worth over $13.5 million to 742,560 in 22 countries last year.
Join the effort!
The next quilting days at Central will be March 4, 5 and 6. In preparation for those production days, the quilters are again making quilt top packets available for Central members and friends to take home and assemble. The quilt packets will be available in Fellowship Hall between services on Sundays and at the Church Office following the 11:00 a.m. service. There is also a need for fabric to make the quilt tops and fitted or flat sheets, which are used to make the backs of the quilts. Fabric and sheets may be brought to the Church Office.
Central quilters respond to urgent call from Lutheran Word Relief;
join national effort to replenish supply depleted by needs in Haiti
February 14, 2010
In the nine months that comprised the 2008-2009 “quilting season,” which concluded last May, the Central Lutheran Church Women (CLCW) quilters made 85 quilts—a record in the 18-year history of the effort. In the course of only three recent days—February 4, 5 and 6—they made 31 . . . with the help of several folks from the congregation!
The accelerated pace is in response to an urgent plea from Lutheran World Relief (LWR), who distributes the quilts through partner organizations around the world. LWR has virtually depleted its supply of the handmade quilts by responding to the emergency needs in Haiti caused by the recent earthquakes.
LWR has sent tens of thousands of quilts to Haiti—with over 11,500 in the latest shipment just last week, according to Melanie Gibbons, parish projects coordinator at LWR headquarters in Baltimore. She said that LWR has redirected most of its supply of quilts and health kits to Haiti—items previously allocated to other partners around the world.
“As such, those partners will need to wait longer to receive the items they need. It will take the continued above and beyond generosity of our dedicated quilters and kit-makers to help us restock our warehouses so we can meet the needs in Haiti and around the world,” said Gibbons.
The Central quilters have responded to this need, but they have not done it alone, said Carol Henderson, who has been involved with the group since 1991. She said the reason the group was able to finish so many quilts in three days was that most of the “quilt tops” had been assembled in advance by members of the congregation.
Over the past several weeks more than 20 members of Central have taken home “quilt top packets’” containing pre-cut fabric squares’ and created a finished quilt top—the most time-consuming part of making a quilt, according to Carol.
“Then all we have to do is tie the top to the batting and the quilt back and that goes relatively fast, especially with a large group working,” said Carol. “We had a regular production line set up. It went just like clockwork.”
The Central quilters have now completed as many quilts as they did the entire last season and “there are several months left” Carol noted. The group had originally set a goal of 90 quilts this season “for the 90th Anniversary.” But it is now obvious that goal will be far exceeded, said CLCW quilting chair Joyce Bliss.
The combined efforts of LWR quilting partners churchwide is astounding: in 2009 more than 378,000 quilts were made and distributed in 20 countries. Overall Lutheran World Relief distributed 1,371 tons of quilts and kits worth over $13.5 million to 742,560 in 22 countries last year.
Join the effort!
The next quilting days at Central will be March 4, 5 and 6. In preparation for those production days, the quilters are again making quilt top packets available for Central members and friends to take home and assemble. The quilt packets will be available in Fellowship Hall between services on Sundays and at the Church Office following the 11:00 a.m. service. There is also a need for fabric to make the quilt tops and fitted or flat sheets, which are used to make the backs of the quilts. Fabric and sheets may be brought to the Church Office.
In the photo: Among the Central quilters on February 4 were (from left) Carol Henderson,
Janet Krofta, Dorothy Miller, Jean English (and Rocky) and Pramila Nelson.
Photo by Joe Bjordal
Janet Krofta, Dorothy Miller, Jean English (and Rocky) and Pramila Nelson.
Photo by Joe Bjordal
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