Quilt Haiti

 

Quilts were meant for sharing.   

I've been noodling about quilts.  Women who make them.  Women who need them.  Quilts, especially those that are handcrafted, are really just a giant hug for anyone who wraps one around herself. 

Perhaps by stitching quilts, we’re comforting ourselves, too, because the whole concept of what has happened in Haiti is overwhelming.  And sending a check helped me for a day or so.  Then I grew antsy.  So, I stitched.  And I thought.

I'd like to do a "quilt drive", for lack of a better term, and get quilts to the women, children, men (we don’t discriminate here) in Haiti.  I realize the needs in Haiti are huge, and “sending blankets” may not seem like the answer.  But consider this: quilts offer comfort, solace, warmth.  These beautiful people lost everything.  Perhaps by sending our quilts, we are also sending our love.

I’ve been talking to my friend, Rebecca.  I know many of you follow her blog.  Rebecca returned home from Haiti only days before the earthquake hit.  I checked her blog everyday to see if there was word about the people she met, what was happening, how I could help.

When I presented the idea of sending stacks and stacks handcrafted quilts to Haiti, she said, “I absolutely love the quilt idea!  Truly, one thing they need right now is warmth and comfort.”

So.  Without further ado…let’s Quilt Haiti! 

Rebecca is planning a trip back to Haiti.  She has generously offered to get our quilts to the people there.  So, let’s send her a whole big bunch of them!   If you’re a quilter and like me, you have oodles of quilts in your home.  Send me one of those.  Or create a new one to send.  Send a handmade bunny or bear.  Send a baby quilt.  Send a king size quilt.  It’s up to you.  Whatever you send will be absolutely perfect and right.

If you’d like to be involved, simply leave a comment here.  Please be sure to include your email address, so I can contact you with the details.

I am so excited about this!  And I hope you are, too.  I’m working on getting a blog button uploaded (thanks to my pal Monica for giving of her creative and technical talents).  I’m having my own technical issues, but as soon as I get it together, I’ll have buttons for you all to put on your blogs.  In the meantime, don’t be shy, spread the word.  What the world needs now, is quilts, love, and more quilts.  And more love. 

Send quilts.  Send love.  Pass it on.

Comments

[Jillayne]

This is a great idea Tammy. I am taking Rebecca's list of needed supplies to my quilting group tomorrow night so I will take along a copy of your blog as well. Please send me the details!

[Annette W.]

What a splendid idea, Tammy. I am not an accomplished quilter, but I have a couple of quilt tops that I would like to finish for your project. Send details, please.

[Juanita]

This is so awesome, you're the best! I'm in! What do I need to do? Please send me the details!

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

This is a great idea Ms. Tammy! I'll see what I can do. Not a great quilter so it might have to be something I already have. I'll let you know. I also emailed my local quilt shop to see if they would be interested.

[happy zombie]

You rock my friend!!!!

[Gail M]

I do not quilt but I'm going to buy one on the Haiti by Hand site and send it for this project. This way, it will benefit Haiti twice.

[stephanie]

Tammy, I just received an email from Rebecca that sweet Gail bought my quilt to send to you! This is such an awesome idea and I just love you for organizing it! I am going to send you another quilt along with Gail's contribution, too. Thank you, Gail, for being SO generous!! :)

[Tammy Gilley]

Wow. Wow. WOW! Thank you, Stephanie, for letting me know, and thank you Gail for your generous purchase and donation!! And thanks again, Stephanie, for the donation of an additional quilt. You all ROCK!!!! xoxotammy

Creativity is not tidy.
www.tammygilley.com

[Laura]

I am not a quilter but my mom and sis are so I am happy to forward this info. Plus, I have added your button to my blog.
many blessings for your wonderful work~L

[Jennifer]

i'm in too!! tell me where to send????

[Carmen]

I would love to be a part of this!!! It's a wonderful idea...please send me the info...Thanks for organizing this!

[Kathryn]

Me too! Thank you so much for this wonderful idea and seeing it through!!

[Lori Marchbanks]

Count me in....I would LOVE to make something...I even have a few baby quilts ready to send now.

[Teresa/MarieSews]

Count me in as well. I will need to finish a UFO but hope to have it ready by mid-next week. I will add the button to my blog.

[Nancy Geaney]

I saw the link on the Sis Boom blog- I do quilting for Jennifer Paganelli and would love to send you a few quilts. What a lovely and loving idea.
Nancy Geaney

[camcas]

I am In Australia but would love to help please send me details

[Dara]

I will share info with ladies in my guild. We love to make scrappy quilts and this would be a wonderful place to send them!

[Megan]

Thanx Tammy! I have been looking for a 'quilt Haiti' space. There are some ladies in Nantucket that are doing fabric for Haiti. The ladies there are expert quilters but they won't be doing it for a while. Maybe your friend can check on that too when she is in Haiti? After the quilts maybe we could organize something like Iraqi Bundles of Love where we sent kits to the quilters there. Whatever. This is a fabulous idea you ladies had. Let me know the whats and whens.
Megan

[Kate]

Would like to send a quilt or two. Thanks for organizing.

[Karin]

I would love to be involved in this project. :) I think I may have something ready to go in my flimsy pile. All it will need is some quiltin' with a little love thrown in.
Thanks so much for organizing such a worthwhile project.

[Witchrose]

Hello from Japan,

I'm so excited at your project
from jumped from my favorite blog, happy Zombie.

I set up my volunteer group for sending our quilts
to the orphanages with AIDS , enjoying making quilts with my members,
and sent some to Africa, U.S.
Now I'm wondering where I should send.

Thank you for nice project.
I really want to join your idea.

[email protected]
Rosewitch (Witchrose for Twitter ) Sakiko Otsu

[Blankets]

I think this is quite a wonderful project. I would like to convey all my best wishes to you for organizing this one. I think you rock. :)

[Leslie]

I would love to participate, thanks for doing this! [email protected]

[Kate MacLean from TheQuiltersKitchen.blogspot.com]

This is an AWESOME idea! I have 2 quilts ready to go. My email is [email protected]
Yay!!

Kate MacLean
Blog: http://thequilterskitchen.blogspot.com

[Emily]

Hello there, I have already made a quilt with a group of little girls. it was meant for Haiti, but i learned that the group i was going to give it to wasn't trustworthy.

please send me any information you can,

[email protected]

thank you very much,

E.W.