40 Quilt Service Project

A number of members of the Quilt Studio webring have agreed to direct some challenges for us in 2007. We have been finalizing ideas to present to you during December. We want everyone to have an opportunity to think about ideas and begin the new year with some enthusiasm and interest in a new direction.

Deb Geyer asked me to help her coordinate a 40 Quilt Service Project for Quilt Studio webring members to complete during 2007. She felt this webring had the ability to reach beyond studio doors to comfort those in need. I wholeheartedly agreed & totally endorse her idea. To date we have 45+ members on the webring.

Here are the basic ideas that we have formed as the framework for 40 Quilt Service Project (40 QSP) for 2007:

As a webring, we would like to donate 40 lap-sized quilts (approximately 50" x 60") to 3 separate charitable organizations by the end of 2007. The charities will be Quilts of Valor (males): 10 quilts, Ronald McDonald House: 10 quilts, Quilts of Valor (female/trauma ctr): 10 quilts, Project Linus: 10 quilts.

The completion dates will be:
Winter quarter---Kid Quilts (The Children's House in Maryland) -- due end of March

Spring quarter---Female quilts (QoV) Trauma Ctr in NM -- due end of June

Summer quarter---Male quilts (QoV) Walter Reed, Wash DC -- due end of Sept

Fall quarter---Baby quilts--Project Linus---due end of November


We are encouraging members to sign up for teams. Each team will have 4 members who have the following positions:

Quilt Designer & Team Facilitator: responsible for choosing a pattern or drawing a design that is appropriate for the team's skill level; can use any methods available, such as purchased pattern, EQ design, downloadable pattern; distributes the pattern to team members; keeps the team moving towards the goal; makes a final decision if the team is having trouble deciding on something

Supplier: responsible for supplies needed, either from her own stash, buys the supplies or assembles supplies from team members; coordinates with designer on colors, style of quilt; could also supply parts of the quilt already made, i.e. swap blocks to be donated for the quilt top

Piecer: responsible for sewing the quilt top; either sews it entirely or works with team members to get pieces done

Quilter: does the machine quilting, binding, label. Either sends to the final destination or sends to the designer (to be determined later).

The team members can decide how fluid the positions are and the direction of their team. Some teams may choose to work one way and another team to work another way. We would like the teams to have 4 positions so one member is not carrying all the responsibility. We also want to encourage webring members who may not have a lot of time but can contribute in another way to be involved; same applies for money or other resources. (I will offer to be a backup for resources when needed.)

Each team can decide a Team Name and a Blog Button. (let's have some fun here!)
Team members will stay together as a team for all 4 quarters (unless that just doesn't work; but, let's try). Members of a team can switch positions for each quarter or keep the same ones (as long as the quilts are made in a fair manner). Maybe your team would like to rotate through the 4 positions so each quarter a member has a new position. Do what works best for your team.

Also, blogging about the quilts and sharing ideas with each other can help us stay motivated. We will post some due dates along the way to keep the momentum going too. Deb and I are still working on some quilt prizes for teams each quarter.

I would like each person to email me with her preference for the 4 positions, rated 1 as most desired to 4 as least desired. I will work up the teams. If you want to work behind the scenes and get your team organized with the 4 people/positions, then email me with that information. Let's have teams in place by the end of Dec 2006. Please do not be intimidated to join a team. We all need to work together to accomplish this goal!

Basically, each team will make 4 quilts in 2007. There will be 4 members on each team and each member will be responsible for one part of the quilt.

I will post specific charity quilt guidelines shortly. This post is also on the Quilt Studio blog, which you can access from the Quilt Studio button.

As I cruise around the webring, I see so many talented quilters. I see generous women who share their love of quilting with each other. I see potential for great quilts from this webring.

Let's work together to make 40 Quilt Service Project a Reality in 2007! Charity begins at home.