Detail from "Rain Dance," an original quilt by Sherrie Spangler

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Quilts for breast cancer patients

Gig Harbor quilters (from left) Nancy Altman, Anne Richardson, Carol Arnold (who started the Comfort Quilt Project), Mary Lou Panks, and Harriet Mooney, in front of the Harbor Quilt store after yesterday's sewing session.

Yesterday was Comfort Quilt day, one of my favorite days of the month because it involves lots of colorful fabric, friendly quilters doing something good for others, and an excuse to start my day with an extra large iced mocha. (Not that I need an excuse.)

The Comfort Quilt Project was started in 2002 by breast cancer survivor Carol Arnold (holding the pink quilt above) as a way to provide comforting quilts to others undergoing breast cancer treatment. All of the supplies and time are donated, and the quilts are distributed through the offices of Dr. Frank Senecal at Hematology/Oncology NW in Tacoma.

More than 750 quilts have been donated!

Anyone is welcome to help out on the fourth Tuesday of the month, from 10:30-4, at Harbor Quilt, 7716 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. (www.harborquilt.com) If you can, bring basic sewing supplies and a machine. Otherwise, you can help cut, pin and iron. The best part is that Carol does all of the thinking and planning, so we just have to chat and sew. And she usually shares her snacks. You also can work on the quilts at home.

The project is an offshoot of the Gig Harbor Quilt Festival, which has a fund-raising auction every fall for local breast cancer charities. For more info, check it out at: http://gigharborquiltfestival.org


"Mary Conquers Cancer," by Sherrie Spangler, 2009, 20x30"

This is the quilt I donated to last year's festival for the auction. I was thrilled to learn that Anne (in top photo) made the winning bid. It's nice to know that your art goes to a good home.

As always, have a colorful day!

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