This is a good day! I feel like life is getting back to normal. With time for a little sewing, a couple of chores, and time to write blog posts; it is evident that the work of the move is behind us. The timing could not be better as it is time for the second annual Positivity Quiltalong, hosted by Sew Preeti Quilts and Needle and Foot. This quiltalong happened for the first time, last spring. At that time, life was getting crazy and it was difficult for me to focus on it. This is made most evident by the fact that I have not yet finished my quilt from that QAL. My incomplete quilt aside, Preeti has once again created a fun, easy to make pattern for all of us to create together.
In case this is new to you, Preeti Harris is a staunch supporter of a project I organize called Mercyful Quilts. Mercyful Quilts collects lap size quilts for patients who are at end of life at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento, CA. I have been coordinating this program for nearly four years now. You can read a lot of the details by clicking here. Countless quilts have been made for this project – each one given to a person who is saying goodbye to a loved one. The family uses the quilt to cover the person while in the hospital. When the person passes away, the quilt goes home with the family as a remembrance of this special family member. We have heard several very moving stories from families who received a Mercyful Quilt. These quilts serve to remind us how important it is to show kindness to everyone, even to people we don’t know. We are reminded that these acts of kindness and care might just provide a bit of extra support to a family going through a sorrowful time. This is why we make the quilts.
There are only a few requirements for Mercyful Quilts. The hospital serves adults only so no juvenile fabrics or themes. We always need male, female and gender neutral quilts so search your fabrics with that in mind. Lap size only please – no bigger or it becomes too difficult to store them.
Last year when Preeti asked if I would like to work with her on a quiltalong for Mercyful Quilts How could I say anything but yes?? Feeling we all needed a dose of positivity in our lives, Preeti designed a pattern, wrote very clear instructions and even gathered a few prizes. We all made a “plus” quilt together and if memory serves me, Mercy Hospital received over 20 quilts. There were a few others made internationally which were donated to causes closer to the quilter. After such a successful and fun time, she is at it again!
This is the pattern we will be sewing for the 2022 event. Preeti has put together a relaxed schedule (that I am hoping to actually adhere to!) There will be several Linky parties (hosted here at Needle & Foot) to share your progress along the way.
Here is the breakdown:
- May 29, 2022 – QAL Launch – Block tutorial and fabric requirements will be shared.
- June 5, 2022 – Finalize your fabric picks, block and layout etc.
- June 12, 2022 – Complete cutting fabrics
- June 19, 2022 – Complete blocks 1-20
- June 26, 2022 – Complete blocks 21 – 40. Linky Party to share your progress
- July 3, 2022 – Complete blocks 41 – 60
- July 10, 2022 – Complete blocks 61 – 80
- July 17, 2022 – Share finished flimsy. Linky party participation required for prizes
- July 24, 2022 – Level 1 prizes announced. Complete making the binding.
- July 31, 2022 – Complete piecing the backing. Complete basting your quilt tops.
- August 7, 2022 – Quilting in progress.
- August 14, 2022 – Complete quilting and attach binding
- August 21, 2022 – Share finished quilts. Mail finished quilts to Patty (our Mercy Hospital contact). Linky party participation required for prizes.
- September 4, 2022 – Level 2 prizes announced.
This will be a fantastic project to work on over the summer. I have an idea in my head for the fabrics I think I will use. How about you? Will you join in and make a quilt for Mercy Hospital with us? Preeti and I would love to have you join us! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments. I am thrilled to, once again, be working with Preeti, gathering Mercyful Quilts and hanging out with all of you!
I have a 48x 60 top with backing that is need of quilting. Is that size large enough or should borders be added? And do you have local quilters who could finish the quilt or must it be complete before being sent?
Hi Julie – Thank you so much for your possible donation. The size is big enough. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone up here at all! Quilter or not – So I don’t have any resources to ask for help (yet?) I can only take a finished quilt at the moment. Hope life is treating you well these days. 🙂
That is a very fun design, and should stitch up quickly. I’m glad the two of you are teaming up again!
I agree Wendy – on both counts. It looks like a great design – and I am thrilled to be working with Preeti again. She has a great heart and a fun sense of humor. Hope you are feeling better with each day.
This one looks fun!!!
Glad you think so. Hope you will join us. Take care and have a nice weekend. 🙂
Hi Bernie,
Would you provide some more guidance on what is considered lap size for this quilt along? Even just a very rough range of measurements would be helpful. Thanks!
Hi Melody – Lap size would be anything between 50 x 50 and up to 80″ square – or rectangle. So any combination in there. If you have one and wonder if it is the right size, send me a note. 🙂
I missed this last year, but I’m up for it this time around!
Good to hear! I look forward to seeing your quilt come along!! Have a nice Sunday. 🙂
I love that this is happening again this year. It’s going to be a treat to see all the quilts made and donated.
It sure makes me happy too. Preeti is so kind to host this again. Maybe we will get another 20 quilts or so and that would be wonderful. Hope all is well in your part of the world Yvonne.
Wonderful news that you are settling in and getting to some sewing. I’m glad that the Positivity QAL is running again, I am adding this to my list of quilts to do, once I am up and around again!
Hoping you will be back on track very soon Kathleen. I would love to quilt along with you! We appreciate all the mundane things once we are without them for a while – not that sewing is mundane but you know what I mean. Regular life gets taken for granted. Take care.
I love this. I sent a quilt to Mercy Hospital just last week as completion of my “2022 Comfort Quilts Challenge”. I have a dear friend who is in Mercy Hospital in San Diego. She has been fighting cancer for more than 2 years now and is now in Hospice care. She’s a writer, artist and quilter and I am going to miss her terribly. Thank you for this project. I don’t know if the Mercy Hospital that my friend is at is affiliated with the one in Sacramento, but I’ll be making two quilts — one for my friend and another for the Positivity QAL.
Thank you Carol!! We appreciate all of your kindness. I believe the Mercy Hospitals are under the same corporation. Either way – we are grateful. I am sorry for your friend though. Life is very difficult at times. She sounds like a very special person.
I will be sure to share about the quilt along in one of my upcoming newsletters. Thanks for organizing this!
Thank you Julie – any help sharing this event is so helpful!!
Hey Bernie. Happy to hear you are getting settled in your new home. I will be participating again this year. Of course I will be going scrappy 🙂
I will try and advertise on my blog next week.
Scrappy is a given Cynthia! If you could share the event, that would be super! I appreciate your quilt and your publicity!!