Monday 13 January 2014

My Aim for 2014

This year I want to make sure I make an effort to give away more of the things I make. Give them to people, or charities, who need them far more than I do. In an effort to set myself off in the right direction I have heeded Alison's call for quilts for the street children of Mexico. Please read more about it here.

Like many quilters, I have a fabric stash. It is not huge compared to some. It is varied because I buy lots of small bits rather than many pieces beyond the size of a FQ. For my style of scrappy quilting this suits me fine. But if you dig around in various hidey holes you can stumble across fabric I put aside ages ago with some purpose in mind I am sure. And there it stayed. Well, it is time for this fabric to come out into the light of day and to be used. For all intents and purposes it allows me to make things for free - because if I paid for the stuff more than two years ago it just does not count any more.

At the bottom of one of the girls old toy boxes, now used for storage for me, was a stack of the softest, prettiest girlie flannel. Most of it was left over from a quilt I made ages ago, but there was a big chunk of purple I had picked up on sale afterwards.

That flannel is now this.


Please forgive the wrinkly appearance. I backed the quilt with a fleece blanket and it is acting like velcro, clinging to everything and refusing to let go. Plus I wouldn't iron the quilt for fear of melting the fleece. Just saying.

The finished quilt measures approximately 50" x 60". The combination of the flannel with the fleece should be nice and warm, as well as feeling as cuddly as all get out.

I sewed the layers together and then turned it and top stitched the edge, following Hadley's fine example.


I did very little quilting, other than a row of stitching on either side of the seams going around the patchwork squares. I wouldn't attempt more with the fleece backing, but I did want to make sure it could hold up to lots of use.


I am hoping that somewhere in Mexico there is a young girl who deserves a better life than she currently has. I am really hoping that this quilt makes her smile, keeps her warm at night and helps in some very small way on her way to a better future.

What about you? Do you have fabric lurking in your stash that could be put to good use now, rather than hiding there for a few more years? I'm aiming for a minimum of four quilts of whatever size going to charity in 2014. Just imagine if we all did that.

Susan

28 comments:

  1. Lovely quilt and great idea. Although I'll be amazed if I make four quilts all year lol

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  2. Looks so cosy and cuddly, I'm sure it will be very much appreciated. I think the value of gifting a quilt for charitable purposes is much greater than we could imagine. Something about the thoughtfulness brings comfort even in the harshest of circumstances. Small glimmers in dark places. Bravo my friend!

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  3. That's awesome, I've not got the time to make a new extra quilt however I have one already made up and never used that I can spare and have asked Alison for the details.

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  4. That is a really nice plan to have. This first quilt is going to be warm and snugly for someone in need. Di x

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  5. It's a wonderful quilt and a wonderful plan xx

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  6. That's a lovely thing to do, and how great that those forgotten bits of fabric will now be used and loved.

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  7. That's a lovely thing to do, and how great that those forgotten bits of fabric will now be used and loved.

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  8. Beautiful. I am sure it will be treasured.

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  9. Great quilt for a fabulous cause.

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  10. You and Hadley are the bees knees. It's official :-)

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  11. A great idea, and you are a clever lady :o)

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  12. Oooh, I bet that will be gorgeously snuggly!

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  13. Looks so snuggly and cosy! It will bring lots of love and comfort to a little one in need! Well done. You are one of the most generous people I know! Jxo

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  14. It's fun, and I bet it is so soft. Last year I made 3 quilts for charity, although they were all with blocks from others too. I do agree that 3 or 4 quilts for charity a year is a great goal, I shall try to do the same.

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  15. its lovely, and a quilt will be very special for children who have so little :-)

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  17. Susan, it will be so loved! Absolutely fab colors for a little person and with all of that fuzzy fleece it will be so cozy. Great make, Miss S.

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  18. A perfect, snugly quilt that I am sure will be well loved by who ever receives it. It's a great cause.

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  19. A true snuggly quilt! I like your train of thought…. if it was bought over two years ago - its free!! :-)

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  20. A beautiful quilt motivated by a beautiful purpose! You're an inspiration!

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  21. This just looks like THE COZIEST BLANKIE EVER!!! It is screaming for a cup of tea and a delicious book!
    Beautiful.
    andrea

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  22. You are such a treasure.
    I think I also need to de-clutter...good karma...and if there is a gift in it as well... extra good karma!

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  23. What a wonderful thing to do. I am sure it will bring comfort to someone in need.

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  24. good idea Susan, and a great way to use up the stash of older fabric I have. Won't seem so dated to someone who has absolutely no possessions.

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  25. lovely quilt that I am sure will make a little girl very happy and warm

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  26. Beautiful x I have three days off next week and a quilt for Mexico is high on my agenga too. I'm only aiming for two charity quilts this year - but that's two more than last year!

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  27. That looks very soft and cuddly!

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