Charity Breeds Contentment + a Giveaway

        Hi, there - I'm taking a break from the commissioned quilt to bring you a TGIFF post for this Friday.One of my favorite quilting endeavors is making charity quilts.  When I started quilting in 1986 I made myself some quilts and then some for family as most quilters do.  But once I had a twin bed in my guest room piled high with all the ones I hadn't gifted,  I knew I had to find another outlet. That turned out to be easy - the Guild I belong to has community service projects:  quilts for kids, pets, Veterans, girls in Foster care, happy bags for children with Cancer, preemie quilts - you name it!  Most of them are small and easy to put together quickly.  After making these quilts, I realized I found a huge sense of contentment in creating and giving away these tokens of caring.  Also, there are quite a few advantages for me, the quilter, in making them, too.
 For instance:
  1. I test out new block patterns,
  2.  practice machine quilting,
  3.  diminish my stash,
  4.  try new techniques,
  5.  solidify friendships with fellow quilters as we meet to work on these quilts
to name just a few.  But the nicest feeling comes from seeing a quilt recipient's surprise and happiness recieving an unexpected token of solidarity. Below are my latest finishes (completed just before I started the quilt I'm working on).
This is a Veteran's Quilt - 36" by 45" made from 9 1/2" squares.  They are given to vets in our local Veteran's hospital for their bed or as lap quilts or when using a wheelchair.

Then there is this one for our local low income Mommy & Me clinic:

This is a self binding recieving blanket.  It took all of 10 minutes of sewing to make using two squares. You can see the tutorial by Jenny Doan here .  And as Jenny suggested, I used one of my machine's stitches to close the pocket left for turning.

Learning, crafting, sharing - that's what charity quilts are all about - and feeling good :).

Okay I'd like to invite you to share your finish on this TGIF Friday.  Below is the linky to let us view your eye candy.  I have 100 (3/4") hexagon paper pieces and a fat quarter as a thank you for someone who links up to my party.  You can try a new technique and maybe make your own charity quilt with them. Note: Link up those fabulous finishes below and don't forget to tour the other finishes and spread the comment love! Please include a link to my post so your visitors can come back here and see other fab finishes. Ends Saturday morning to give everyone a chance to link up. 


Thanks for stopping by and thanks, too, to Laura and M-R for starting TGIFF  (Look over in the right hand sidebar).  Lastly, visit Quilts are For Giving and St Anne's Sewdality for charity quilt inspiration.  The possibilities are endless.

13 comments:

  1. No finishes over here, but I love all of yours...:) Hope your quilt is going well.

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  2. Looks great! thanks for hosting!

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  3. I agree charity work can be very gratifying.

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  4. Quilty pals are so generous. You are doing great job and I'm sure much appreciated.

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  5. Charity quilting is sew rewarding! I agree! Thank you for hosting TGIFF!

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  6. My finish today falls under this same category, it is for Quilts Beyond Borders. I love making them for the same reasons you do. Besides, my family has enough quilts!

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  7. Charity quilting does indeed breed contentment. The recipients of your quilts are very lucky, Angie! Thanks so for hosting!

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  8. I love charity quilts! I just finished piecing one, and I always feel so awesome knowing quilty love is being shared. It's awesome that you have done so much work! I'm sure these quilts will be very loved.

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  9. Most of the quilts I've made were gifted, but I really want to start making more charity quilts this year. I have loads of fabric that really isn't my style anymore, but would be perfect for charity quilts. Thanks for the inspiration and for hosting TGIFF this week. :-)

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  10. How awesome that your group has so many charities to choose from. That in itself is inspiration; pick a charity and use fabrics or pattern suitable for that cause. There truly is a deep satisfaction in donating quilts to charity.

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  11. I have been making little quilts called quilters wallets. I cut up fabrics, sew them back together. Quilt them and then bind them. This is working for me. Thanks Angie for your great blogs.

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  12. Love your finishes! Thanks for the giveaway, too. I actually did finish something this week! Yay! dezertsuz at gmail

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  13. I finished a grand childs quilt, thanks for the giveaway

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Thank you for stopping by. It's always nice to hear from you. I try to reply to each and every one of you, but sometimes life gets in the way. I hope you understand. Blessings.

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