The Scrap Happy Quilters are always busy quilting for others!  Each of these quilts are lovingly hand-made by some truly talented and dedicated women who you can find here every Wed. from 9:30 AM - 12 PM.

 

The volume that they produce is mind-blowing! So far in 2007, they have put together 359 quilts/comforters as well as a number of walker bags and pillows. Last month they took 50 quilts, 15 walker bags and 3 pillows to a nursing home in Blanchester and 50 quilts, 15 walker bags, and 4 pillows to Sem Haven Nursing Home in Milford. The activity directors always love to see the ladies from Mt. Repose coming with their bags full of quilts! They are a big hit with the residents!

 

Aside from various, area nursing homes these ladies have also provided quilts to the Children's Hospital Neo-natal ICU; the recovery hospital in Germany for wounded military members; many area dialysis centers and A Caring Place, which is a pregnancy care center. This ministry has been on-going for around 14 years and what a GREAT way to share the love of Jesus Christ!

 

Thanks to all the ladies who work on these quilts! Some of the ladies who help out are not members of our church, but they come from the community to help out because they see the value in this ministry and they enjoy being around the other ladies. We are glad they have found us!

 

Here is how they do it:

 

Purchasing: 10-yard rolls of batting (which is put in dryers to fluff it up), 

                     100% cotton fabric, Yarn (for tacking), white thread, and quilting pins.

 

Procedure: Fabric is cut into 4 and 1/2" strips.

                   Strips are matched in sets of 12 strips for nursing home size or 

                   16 strips for dialysis size quilts.

                   Strips are sewn together, pressed and cross cut into 4 1/2" squares.

                   Squares are sewn together and then pressed to make a quilt top.

       

                   Backs are cut for the tops (50 in. for nursing home size; 60 in. for

                   dialysis size).

 

                   Assembly as follows:

                       The Batting, Back and Quilt Tops are put together and pinned around

                       the edges then sewn around leaving an opening for turning

                       (usually 3 squares)

 

                       Excess batting and fabric is trimmed away, corners clipped and quilt

                       is turned.

 

                       Each quilt is then stiched all around, closing the opening.  The quilt

                       is then ready for tacking using yarn which is tied to the corner of

                       each square.

 

                       Now the quilt is ready for a card, which is pinned to the back, saying

                       it is made by quilters at The First Baptist Church of Mt. Repose.

 

Scraps:  Excess 4 1/2" strips are put together to create "Crazy" quilts.

              Walker bags are made from scraps.

               3 1/2" squares are cut for making other quilts.

               Pillows are stuffed with excess batting.

 

Cost:   Approximate cost of a nursing home size lap quilt is $4.00

 

WOW!!  It is a lot of work!  But these ladies have a great time enjoying each others' company and knowing that what they do is touching so many lives.  If you have a talent for quilting or just a heart to help others, in Jesus' name, consider dropping in and offering a hand to these ladies.  You will find a warm welcome, make some wonderful friends and get the great feeling that comes from knowing YOU have helped to touch someone's life!