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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cancer comfort quilt day



Carol Arnold, who started the group in 2002 as a breast cancer survivor, pins blocks to the design wall during this week's work session.

When I wrote about the Comfort Quilt Project here a year ago, our Gig Harbor group had made and donated about 750 quilts to cancer patients. As of this week, the total is:

880 donated quilts!


We pieced these blocks this week and pinned them to the wall to decide on the final arrangement.

All of the fabric is donated, and once a month a group gathers at Harbor Quilt to sew colorful blocks together. Carol does most of the planning, so all we have to do is sew, chat and snack. What could be better than that? Longarm quilters take the finished tops and quilt them at their homes, then other volunteers sew on the binding and labels.



The quilts are distributed through Dr. Frank Senecal's offices at Tacoma Hematology/Oncology, with the hope that the patients will feel wrapped in warm hugs during their treatments.


A finished top awaits quilting.


Have a colorful day!

4 comments:

ellen gets crafty said...

What a wonderful gift, I know those quilts will be treasured.

Unknown said...

I have been the recipient of two healing quilts (one from my friends with words from my friends and family and another given to me by the Fabric Place in Cromwell, CT (not there anymore) because I was one of their quilters and had worked on healing quilts for others.

Chemo is cold coming into your blood stream and with lowered red cells, I'm colder than most. The treatment center I go to now is REALLY chilly. Today, I forgot my quilt and I sat in my slicker because I was cold. Bright and colorful wins the day!

Please tell your Gig Harbor folks I think they're the tops!

Lisa Quintana

Sherrie Spangler said...

Lisa -- I will definitely pass along your comments to the group. I sure hope you finish your chemo soon.

Ladybug said...

Wonderful work for a wonderful cause - I'm sure lots of women treasure these gifts from the heart...