Adopt a quilt

I am a quilter and I am a bit embarrassed to say that it is an obsession. Every piece of fabric, every little scrap, old clothing ultimately in my mind has a place in a quilt. However, I am blessed to have a husband that doesn't see it that way so I am not hoarding fabric.
How did I get started. It was so benign at first. My granddaughter Stina asked me to make her doll a quilt and I did. Then my husband asked me if I could turn some old biker bandana's into a quilt and I did (I made a king sized bed quilt). A retirement quilt came next for my old boss from table covers used at his retirement party along with a matching wall quilt for a room in his name at a local shelter. I have made quilts as Christmas gifts and made some money here and there to keep me in business so to speak, but I like making quilts for those in need, so I started this blog to see if I could get any donations to help me continue my dedication.

Hurrican Katrina and Rita:
I can't begin to say how heavy my heart was when these disasters affected so many. I wanted to rush down and help but, my husband and I are raising 3 small grandchildren, so my husband suggested I make quilts. I decided I couldn't make them for everyone,so as a police dispatcher I would make them for dispatchers and police officers who remained vigilant and kept guard in their towns and parrishes. One city at a time, one person at a time.

But how to get quilts to victims? 911 Cares... I contacted this organization who helps police dispatchers in need and soon I had my first box of 8 quilts of various sizes going out to the people of Bay St. Louis police department. Shout out to my friend Clementine that helped hold down the fort and has kept me in names for my quilting. Hey girlfriend, I'm still praying for you and everyone!

I received a request for 10 quilts from Clementine for dispatchers at Bay St. Louis and I am sure Hancock County since they are now working out of one center. I began working when Rita hit and took away everything from my husbands brothers family living in Texas. DETOUR: Stopped working on dispatch quilts and made 2 twin size quilts and a king size for niece,nephew and brother and sister-in-law.

Christmas is fast approaching and I must make some money to pay for shipping and fabric, so I made several quilts for a co-worker and I am back in black for a few more weeks. I don't think anyone realizes it isn't just the fabric, it is the batting, the thread, the time and the cost of mailing packages. A quilt can cost me up to $250 out of pocket depending on material, pattern and size requested. Sent an Email to FedEx to see if they would give me a discount on shipping, but no word back. Hey! They get these requests all the time and I am not even a legit non-profit, so why would they want to help me??

Back on track for dispatch quilts and I was able to mail 3 off in June: 1 king size and 2 twins. Total, I have sent out 11 since I began. A huge thanks to the following for their support in my endeavor:
Sue Bailey - Fabric & Thread
T. Turner - Entire Bolt of batting material
G.D.V. - $50
M. Simak - $10
Kevin and Lisa - $150
I failed to mention that 911 cares contacted me to make 2 very special quilts for a dispatcher in New Orleans living on a cruise ship while working and her small child who is is Texas with her grandparents. I made them each one by using the same material for both but 2 separate patterns.
The picture at the top of the page are the 2 quilts I made for them.

I am now making a quilt for a dispatcher who remained on the job for 12 days and when they went to take her home to get some things and check on her home, as they neared the corner where she lived, she watched as her home floated by her and it stopped ironically right up against the gas station the department is using as a temporary dispatch center. I also have a queen sized almost complete for Bay St. Louis and when that is done, I will only have 6 more to make.

But wait! Binghamton, NY dispatchers were flooded out so I will make quilts for them as well. It is slow and I do these on my own by hand, not with a quilting machine, but the help I get on these comes in the form of my grandchildren ages 3,4 & 5. They pin, cut and tie and are a help in so many ways.