The schedule:
June 2: Introduction
June 9: Color Inspiration
June 16: Block Construction
June 23: Quilt top assembly and Quilting Ideas
June 30: Link up to show your progress
The specifics:
I will be sharing how to make a rail fence quilt during the quilt along, but quilts made in any pattern will be happily accepted. The ideal size is about 50" x 60", which will work for all the programs that MHC is currently running. (See below.)
BOY quilts for ages 4-16 are especially needed!!!
The deadline:
Our target date for the quilts to be finished and delivered to MHC is August 1, 2014.
Prizes!:
For every quilt you send to MHC by August 1, 2014, your name will be entered into a drawing for prizes. We will pick a winner for every 20 quilts donated. If you make a boy quilt, you will get your name thrown in the hat twice! As if you couldn't tell, we would really like to encourage you to make boy quilts!
The Programs:
Carin, the director of Margaret's Hope Chest, wrote up a little bit about the programs that they are running at this time.
Prison Giveaway:
For the past 5 years Margaret's Hope Chest has been joining Forgiven
Ministries as they minister to children of incarcerated parents. God has made a
way for us to actually go into Michigan prisons and see children reunited with
their parent for one special day. We
provide a quilt for each child as a gift that from their parent and it becomes
a symbol of love and HOPE. Over the
years, we have shared over 600 quilts with these families. I am also able to give my testimony of
forgiveness and HOPE to these fathers and mothers. I believe this is some of the most important
and life changing work that we do. We
are always in need of boy's quilts for this program-we can never enough
sport-themed quilts!
A Mother's Hope: We are in the middle of our second year
sharing quilts with mothers who are experiencing postpartum depression. The
Mother and Baby Program is a Partial Hospitalization Program. It is a
short-term, intensive treatment program for women experiencing significant
symptoms of postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders. Each
participant in the program is invited to pick a quilt to use during and after
her time in the program. Each quilt
maker provides includes a hand written note to the mother--we have learned that
these notes along with the quilts are a TREASURE to these ladies.
Guatemala's Village of Hope: Margaret's Hope Chest has a relationship with
the Village of Hope in Guatemala which is a unique family-like orphanage for
children with special needs (mostly HIV+).
My daughter Anne and I will be traveling to Guatemala for a week in
November and we will be able to hand deliver the next group of quilts for the
new set of residents!
If you would like your quilt to go specifically to one of these programs, let us (MHC) know. If a program isn't specified, it will go to the one who has the most need at the time.
-----If you would like to join me for this quilt along, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
I'll be honest, I'm a little bit nervous to be jumping into this while the kids are just getting out of school, but I plan to enlist their help!
I'm sure I forgot something. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will answer them in the comments and update the post if necessary.
Happy, HAPPY Monday to you!
105 comments:
I have a busy june, but I'd like to try to do this, bonus if I can get a top done before the 28th, I may be able to get it long arm quilted by my SIL
yes!!!! I'm totally on board. This'll be great!
It's crazy here but I am gonna give it a try.
I have a quilt partially pieced that I started for MHC a few months ago---this has me motivated to dig it back out and get it finished.
I need a good summer project and this is perfect! Plus I've never done a quilt along! Let's do this! :)
I have a busy June planned already but I'd like to join in. I'm currently getting boy themed blocks from my hive mates so I could possibly use those!
I'd like to do it, since I've been thinking about doing an "Amanda Jean Scrap Project" and here one just landed in my lap! I'm always super slow, though, so we'll see what happens.
This is great as I have two boys and still love to make boy quilts and I have one done and was planning on making another. This is perfect!
Since you're giving plenty of time I can't wait to try this. I have two boys so boy quilts won't be an issue.
Count me in! I'm having troubles with my computer sometimes, but my sewing machine still works and I love a challenge so I'm going to jump in with both feet..ha! Looking forward to the startup -- thanks for your encouragement!
I have a box here for MHC that I was just getting together! Great minds...
There are quite a few quilt alongs out there right now that I've done a good job of not jumping in on, but the combination of Crazy Mom and MHC makes me glad I've ignored the others!
I only have 2 small quilts to be quilted on my to do list. Will need a meaningful project to start in the next week or two so count me in. I'm sure I have boy fabrics in the stash.
Count me in. I have sent them blocks before, but this will be the first time making a quilt. I hope I can make a boys quilt.
I'm in.
Count me in. ❤️
I have been wanting to donate to A Mother's Hope for awhile. Count me in.
what size quilts is MHC looking for... is the mother's hope looking for baby quilts or lap quilts?
I'll try to keep up, but I'll be out of town a lot. But I have scraps galore, and even boy ones at that, so I hope to be able to make at least one!
I have more scraps than time but will try to keep up with you all!
what a fantastic idea, I'm so in.
Count me in! Not sure when I can get to it, but I will figure it out. Glad I've got a couple of weeks between now and then to get myself together!
I do love MHC and am so happy to be seeing you share the love with *all* your followers!! WTG, AmandaJean!
i am able to make a quilt top but not machine quilt. do you know of anyone who would be willing to quilt it for me if i sign up for this quilt along?
I have several ufos that have stalled, I will drag them out and see how many can be revived and adapted to fit what y'all need.
I'm in and I have a FQ bundle of sports themed fabric that I was wondering what I was going to make with it.
MHC is my favorite ... I can't promise, but I will certainly give it a go!
I've been a fan of Margaret's Hope for awhile but never made a full size quilt (only a quilted pillow case) This may be the encouragement I need to get started. We'll see...
Hi Amanda Jean, I haven't quilted in a while, what a great cause and excuse for me to get back into it! I'm in:):)
Beth in SF:)
I love your quilt-a-longs. I will try really hard. I usually lag a week or so behind you, but, I will do this one, on time.
I have way too many scraps that are not blessing someone. Thanks for this.
I'm totally joining this! thanks for the opportunity to do good and bust my crazily robust stash.
Count me in too. I already know the color scheme of the sports quilt I'll make for a boy.
Yes, I plan on quilting along with you for such a great cause. Thanks for starting it.
I don't usually do quilt alongside because I can't seem to keep myself together enough to finish, but mhc is a great cause and I'd love to join in. Maybe I can draft my niece to help me with some of the sewing -I know she wants to practice while she's here for the summer!
I am in. What a great mission: HOPE.
(Is there a specific boy age group that is lacking? I have some Bob the Builder fabric I want to use, but if the boys are older, I have some sports/dirt bike/outdoors fabric I could use). THANKS!
Sounds good!
I'm interested but wonder where and how do we get the quilts to where they're supposed to go?
I'm in! Thanks for organizing this. It's a great idea.
Yes! I love MHC. Met you and them at Grand Rapids in 2012 when we worked on the rainbow quilts. I'll definitely participate.
Let's do it :)
When do we start?
I'm in as well!
I'll give it a go! Does it have to be your rail fence, or can we do anything as long as it's the right size? I'm not much of a conformist... or a pattern follower...
I love MHC and have donated several quilts in the last year or so. I have been waiting for the next project to be annouced and this sounds like a winner! How soon before you figure out the block size etc?
Yes!! I am in!
Why not. I'll give it a whirl!
I'll make one!
What a great cause! I'm on board.
will try an do this but no promises.
I would like to join in. My sister is always asking me who I'm making my quilts for, now I'll have an answer - and a great one!
I am going to give it a whirl. What a great group to support.
I am in, but I have a question. I have some boy themed flannel, could I use that?
Would love to help. I can do boy. When is week one?
I would like to do this but might not be able to keep up as I am working on a quilt with a deadline. When does the quilt along start?
I wish I could participate this year, but my June is jam-packed! But I am going to be following your progress to see how it goes - I'm thinking a quilt-along might be a great new addition to the Hands2Help Challenge next year! Thanks for the inspiration… ;-)
Very noble.. I'm loving the idea of giving back.. not sure if I have the time right now, but I might just take this on as my next project or secondary project!
I have lots of boy fabrics. Let's see if I knock a couple of projects out so I can whip one up.
Looks like fun. I'll give it a shot.
This is a great idea & I'm all in on a boy quilt! Hopefully my own boys will keep crazy (eek!)to a minimum this summer, affording me a little work time. Thanks for a fun project!
I'm in! Would love to help.
I would love to be part of this quilt-along!
Oh, how I want to be involved in this very hope-filled and joyous quilting occasion, however, I have surgery coming up. I am going to pray about this -- that I'm not putting too much on my plate, but nothing honors Him more than serving through the gifts He gives us. Thanks for bringing my attention to the organization. If not this time, for sure the next!!!!
Great idea. I hope to contribute.
I definitely WANT to join in. I would love some more clarification of what a boy quilt means as far as age range.
August 1 is a tough deadline, but I'm willing to try. I suppose I have a head start with some rail fence blocks I've been making and collecting as part of an ongoing quilt block swap. I'd love to try and follow along with you.
These sound like great uses for quilts. Count me in. I've made 2 boys quilts recently and hopefully I'll have some "boy" fabric I can put to good use.
I would be happy to join in this worthwhile effort. I can commit to a boy themed quilt. I have followed and been inspired by your blog for several years; time to pay forward some of the things I have learned. For the last steps you can cross reference your Machine Quilting 101 series! Thank you for all you do.
I will do my best to jump in and make at least one quilt. I love your blog. Your last quilt along produced one of my favorite quilts!
I will complete at least one quilt, sports oriented for the cause for you.
I have a long arm and will help out if we can find a cost effective way to do so. I live in Ontario Canada. Let me know if we can work something out : )
Melissa
I love that you are hosting a quilt along for Margaret's Hope Chest!!! My very first quilt made was a rail fence. I'm ready to make another one ;-)
Count me in! This sounds like just the inspiration I need to make a quilt to help someone in need.
I would like to try. We will see what happens. I am pretty busy, but I am going to try.
going for it- and challenging myself to use ALL scraps- cuz that needs to happen over here.
I would love to give it a try!! Count me in!!
Why not! Hope I can keep up.
Scraps have i got scraps...i'm in too!
Realmente precioso.
Felicidades guapa!!!
I'm in!
My 11yo and 9 yo have been wanting to sew this summer. This gives us a great project to work on. Since they just welcomed a little brother, we are thrilled to make a boy quilt!
I have two quilt tops ready to go for treadle quilting for A Mother's Hope. Next up are two quilts for nephews being born this summer. After my son's wedding this weekend, I'm looking forward to regular sewing time again, so I'll try to do the quilt along, too. I'm sew glad I found your site and MHC. I have close ties to GR.
Count me in! :)
I'm in! It's a bit of a crazy month, but I'd love to try and make time for this!
I think this so wonderful and I have never done a quilt for a cause before. I would love to do this, although like many this is certainly a busy time for me too. Thanks so much for reaching out to other quilter for such a worthy cause!
I will be following this to make a quilt for a great cause!
Kelly O.,
A Mother's Hope gives quilts to the moms....so a lap size. Approximately 50" x 60" is a good target.
Hope that helps!
AJ
Margaret,
I'm sorry, no, I do not know of anyone who could machine quilt your top for you. Maybe you could ask locally?
AJ
Ellomee,
The age range for boys is 4-16, so I think either would work!
AJ
Sheri,
Good question! All the quilts can be sent directly to MHC, which is based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you are local, I'm sure you could hand deliver. (Wouldn't that be awesome?)
Hope that helps!
AJ
Betty,
Technically we started on Monday. :) I plan to post the updates for the QAL each Monday in June.
AJ
Valerie Duff,
the pattern can be any one of your choosing! Just target for a 50" x 60" quilt. Hope that helps!
AJ
New Salem Homestead,
I will be going through the block construction in week 3. (So the 3rd Monday in June.) Hope that helps!
AJ
Houseful 10,
Boy themed flannel sounds great! Go for it!
AJ
Deborah,
Week one was this week. I plan to post updates each Monday.
Hope that helps!
AJ
Sherryberrybim,
the quilt along started on Monday. Updates will be posted each Monday in June.
AJ
Suzanne,
The boy age range is 4-16. Hope that helps!
AJ
Sounds like a great Summer project. Yes, things are always crazy but having this project will make me slow down & spend some Me time sewing. This is my first Quilt Along!
I would love to make a quilt. Where do I send the finished product to? Do they need baby quilts too?
I would love to do this ! This is also my first quilt along. Love how God is using this organization to reach out !
Sounds like a great project! Love making quilts for charity !
I just finished a quilt that I practiced my feathers and it took my quite a bit of time and was wondering just where to send it. Now I know. Thanks.
I would love to do this!
I am joining in for sure! Thanks for hosting such a worthwhile QAL!!
Amanda
I have some boy fabrics left over from my nephew and a vacation coming up! Count me in!
I think I can do this. No promises, but I'll try. And you're challenging me to try to make a boy quilt? Bring it on :)
I'm in!! I have plenty of boy novelty fabrics and will do as many as I can.
I love MHC and try to donate 1-2 quilts each year to them. Thanks for sharing their information and reaching out! This looks like great fun!
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