I debated whether this should go in pictures or in Main, but my purpose is to talk about the Bolt to Bed program, not this particular quilt, so here goes (in Main)!

I belong to a large guild, Mid-Valley Quilt Guild, that meets in Salem, Oregon. (I also belong to a very small guild, Santiam Scrappers, which meets in Lebanon. I get a lot of satisfaction from both guilds, partly because they are so different.) Every year the MVQG has a meeting set aside for "Bolt to Bed". Before the meeting, some of the members put together kits that can be used to create comfort quilts. Then members can either bring their sewing machine to the meeting and spend several hours sewing, or they can take a kit or two home to work on there. Last year I stayed and sewed (and had a wonderful time doing it) and this year I took a kit home. All the finished quilts are returned to the guild and given out as comfort quilts. So far, the MVQG web site says that 88 quilts have been turned in from this year's bolt to bed - but there will be more, because some of us (me!) are late getting them back.

The kit I received consisted of 5.5" x WOF strips of 3 different coordinating Moda fabric, plus enough fabric for backing and binding. Instructions were provided to make a "fractured 9 patch" which is basically the same as a D9P. The quilt I made is about 60x60. I quilted it on my longarm and supplied the batting, but the guild also supplies batting on request. The guild will also find someone to do the quilting and/or binding if the person who does the piecing doesn't want to do them.

This program makes it so easy to make a comfort quilt! No fabric selection worries, the initial cutting is already done, the pattern is selected and supplied - what could be easier? It isn't necessarily fabric that I would have selected, so that means I get to work on something different - I can approach it as a new learning experience.

For example... I've owned my longarm for almost 2 years, but (amazingly) I had never done an all-over meander quilt design, either with the longarm or previously with my DSM. I decided to meander, just to see how it went, and found that it went very quickly. I was also enchanted by the backing fabric that the guild provided. I haven't purchased Moda fabric before, and thought it was rather thin, but the colors were lovely. I'm used to pre-washing all my fabric, and then using starch, but since this was already cut into strips I couldn't do that. But everything went together very nicely, I think.

Beautiful! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Wonderful quilts. Our guild will package quilts to be made. You can choose any part of the work that you want to do. You can pick up and do the whole thing, only piece the top or only quilt the quilt or only do the binding. Ladies are picking up and turning in kits all the time We usually give away at least 300 quilts twice a year. In December and in June. I am looking forward to the December meeting and seeing all the quilts that will be given away to various local charities/hospitals/children's homes.

Nice

:thumbup:

pretty

Lovely quilt and great workmanship.

very nice

nice job!

Very nice! Our quild or the one here in my area (I don't belong) does them for Hospice.

Nice job

:thumbup:

Really cute quilt!! Our subdivision also has a weekly get-together that you can take a kit & completely finish the quilt or do the top & someone else will do the rest. These quilts are for children from abusive homes.

I am the current president of our local guild here in Midwest City and we give away 20 - 40 quilts a month to different organizations in our area (i.e., hospice, Tinker AFB Family Advocacy Program, Police Departments, Sheriff's Department, Fire Department, local Youth Shelter, Unwed mother's home, etc. We have 2 days a month that are strictly charity quilting days plus we have ladies that are always making quilts at home.

Great work. I always believe just because they are charity quilts doesn't mean they have to look like they are. I have had people say some of my charity quilts are too good to give away!

Very nice, I like the colors they gave you.

This quilt clearly demonstrates that a simple pattern and well chosen fabric can make a striking quilt. It looks great and will make a welcome addition to your guild's Community Outreach programs. I wish all guilds would participate like yours.

I'm in a small Guild that makes Comfort Quilts. In October we gave away 40 quilts to each of 3 organizations- total 120 quilts. Plus- Many more during the year, and hats, mittens, scarves, totes. We have a work night monthly for layering and squaring up, some Quilt til you Wilt sewing weekends, and wonderful members who package up kits so you can take them home and sit 'n sew. Much larger Guilds nearby don't do a fraction of what we do for the community. Isn't it great to be part of something so wonderful?

Yes, it is wonderful how much a guild can contribute to the community. Bolt to Bed is just one of the events the MVQG holds. Members make comfort quilts, patriotic quilts, and pillowcases throughout the year. They are usually exhibited during 'show and tell' at the meetings, and then distributed to various groups that need them. I took this off the web site of the MVQG - that's 607 comfort quilts last year!


Deliveries in July:
•10 to Forever Home for foster children
•12 to Marion County Human Services (early childhood)
•12 to Liberty House
•11 to MaryLu Snodgrass for Methodist Church
•12 to Inter-faith Hospitality Network
•18 to Salem Hospital
GRAND TOTAL Received for the 2009-10 year
•Comfort quilts (all sizes): 607
•Patriotic quilts: 66
•Pillowcases: 467

Can you share the pattern with us or direct us to where we can find it? I'm having a problem figuring out how to place the fabrics in the original 9 patch.
:o

Great quilt for a good cause! I like both the pattern and colors. Good work!

This is just a disappearing 9-patch. In the quilt I made, the red was in the center of the 9-patch, the green was in the 4 corners, and the tan was in the center of each side. For this particular design, you sew the 9-patch, then slice it in half vertically and horizontally. Exchange the position of the top left and bottom right pieces (keeping the same orientation on each), then sew back together. There are other arrangements you can make resulting in different patterns.

Very nice, at our guild we do that too.

Beautiful.

Very pretty quilt.

Thank you, Dunster for your description of color placement. This layout will enable me to keep a focus fabric upright in an upcoming quilt!:):)

Sue