Charity Quilts Part One

Hello and welcome to our brand new blog “E-Z Kawilting” on all things related to QUILTING!

We are very pleased you have taken time from your busy day to read our blog post. If you have additional ideas for future blog posts please email them to quincysquilting@shaw.ca

Quilting for charitable causes is very popular among individuals, quilting guilds and groups the world over. But before we get into the who, the how, the what, and the where of charity quilting let’s first explore the why. That is why do people make quilts for charity?

Of course, everyone who works on creating charity quilts have their own personal reasons for doing so. Below is a list, in no particular order, of 20 reasons people make charity quilts. This is not an exhaustive list of all the reasons people make charity quilts.

1. Making quilts for charity makes us intrinsically happy.
2. We simply want to make charity quilts.
3. To use up some of our stash as making charity quilts frees up room in your house so you can buy more fabric to make more quilts.
4. It nurtures your inner muse / creativity.
5. Keeps our minds sharp.
6. There are people in our community and / or the world with a genuine need for quilts.
7. As a part of a group activity in a sewing group, club or guild.
8. Direct support of an organization such as Quilts of Valour.
9. Kindness matters.
10. There is joy in giving.
11. Giving increases our social connectedness.
12. Giving is contagious.
13. Giving gives your life meaning.
14. Giving can help battle depression and isolation.
15. Giving helps you look at your life’s resources and blessings differently.
16. Making charity quilts can build relationships / friendships.
17. To provide comfort to others by showing that someone cares about them.
18. Try out a new pattern.
19. Learn and practice a new skill.
20. For faith based reasons.

We may donate quilts to charity due to a specific need (call to action), quilt inventory exceeds recipient list, finishing quilts for a loved one who has passed on.

Personally, there are many reasons why I create quilts for charity but regardless of my specific reasons, every single reason has one important benefit.   It simply makes me feel good.

I would love to know some of the reasons you make quilts for charity, or if you are thinking about making quilts for charity in the future.

Log onto our website next week for Charity Quilts Part 2.

P.S. Our blog name is named after our Dachshunds Elphaba, Marley, Oakley, Piper, Quincy and Zoey (E-Z) and Kawilting is a fun spelling that caught on from a mispronunciation of quilting.

Question of the Week ~ We all know that we want the quilts we gift to be used. If a person doesn’t want the quilt either when given or no longer has a need for it, what do you think they should do with it? Is it okay for a quilt you’ve given to be used for a picnic blanket or used for the pets? Tell us your thoughts.