Butterflyblue

For awhile several years ago we had a quilt grip at church that I started to make quilts for children in Foster care or for the local police and fire depts to carry in their units to comfort kids they might interact with. Basically people who were more experienced (me, my mother in law) worked on whatever quilt we wanted and had beginner projects in mind/ready for others to work on when they came and then we’d finish up what they started out they weren’t there(some of us came regularly, others not so much). Really the whole thing dissolved when I had my youngest son and had less time to devote to it, except one lady (who had never quilted before the group) made quilts for foster kids for years after the group was gone. All in all we did quite a few quilts and I count it a success, even though it was only two or three years at the most that it lasted.

Momo

Thank you all for your input. Such great ideas. I know we will find our way and provide for several areas. It's just a bit scary to me being the one to get this going. I'm by far not the best, but I do love sewing the baby blankets, crafts, and some machine embroidery. That's my favorite but not the purpose of our group.
Again thanks to all for your input. We want to be a blessing to others.

nlclubb

You don't have to be a skilled sewer to be a leader. No leader , no group. The others will all be your helpers, with ideas and helping hands. In the last 4 years our small church group has delivered over 10,000 items to Foster Care, Homeless Shelter, Women's Abuse Center, Pregancy Center, Kenya mission trip, Veterans, Hospice, etc. The fellowship and sinse of helping others is beyond value.We have learned so mucn from each other. You go girl!

QuiltMom2

You will find that some people sew, some are there for what I call the "social aspect" (sit and chat). Some are afraid to use a rotary cutter, some like to iron. If you put a call out for scrap material, be prepared for a deluge and there's issues of storage. As long as there's a leader who's interested, there will be those who will gladly participate at some level. Have fun!

bearisgray

What is donated as scrsp material can be "very interesting"

Gemm

It seems to me that if you establish a basic framework (time/day/place) and have a few ideas to start with, you will be able to grow a group that will embrace not only many worthy causes but many willing hands. As others have suggested, having projects at the start that will suit a variety of skill levels and interest will probably help the group forge its own direction.

bearisgray

You might consider making it an - "everyone welcome" type group - so that friends of the members of the church group can also participate.

That is how I got to participate in a sewing group in Florida. Loved it. But then the members moved away or died off. So the group no longer exists. Sigh.

But that way "strays" can join - and I am so grateful that that group was open to "outsiders".

bj

A group I sewed with for a time was Downy’s Quilts for Kids. There are local chapters in lots of places. When you contact them, they will send sewing guidelines and a kit of fabric. I think I had to get batting and fabric to back the quilt. I also would do an additional quilt (or2) from my stash. When they get theirs back, they’ll send another kit for you. The layout they used then was alternating 4 patches and solid squares.

Jo Anne B.

My church had a "onesie" drive to send with the crew going on a mission trip. I added a couple flannel receiving blankets and burp cloths with my Onesies. The next year they added flannel receiving blankets and burp clothes to the onesie drive.

bkay

A group of us from our Guild started a new group this year. We make donation quilts for the local Presbyterian Children's home, another group (which I think is an unwed mother's) support home, and a (mostly medicaid) nursing home. It's been kind of disorganized this year, but It's sure it will be better in our second year.

I had already made a quilt that worked for one of the girl's request, a black and white check with red flowers. I just finished a top for one of the girls who wanted a pink, girly quilt. One of our members is long-arming it for me (and providing the batting). I'll bind it and send it along.

For me, it's been very rewarding.

bkay