Bed Quilts go to Chambliss Shelter

We did it! Nine bed-sized quilts were delivered to the Children's Home/Chambliss Shelter today!

From left: Nancy Allen (Choo Choo Quilters), Cindy Hancock, Assistant Director of Volunteer Services (Chambliss), Christy Finley, Administrative Assistant (Chambliss), Veronica Hofman-Ortega (Choo Choo Quilters) and Ginny Minninger (Choo Choo Quilters).

The request for twin-size bed quilts for teenage residents came to the Choo Choo Quilters quilt guild this summer. The guild has been a long-time supporter to this Chattanooga community organization through the guild's Cuddle Quilt program, an outreach program in which lap-size children's quilts are made and donated by guild members.

A twin size bed quilt made with a crazy 9-patch pattern.

"When we became aware of the older residents, guild members embraced the challenge, dipped into their fabric stashes, and stepped up to meet the need," said Ginny Minninger, who championed this special request for bed quilts for the teenagers.

Nine twin size quilts, approximately 65" x 90" in size, were delivered today for immediate distribution to the teenage residents. The Assistant Director of Volunteer Services said that the quilts are so appreciated and are very much in need. With the prediction of very cold weather in the forecast, this delivery was most timely.

The "Blank Canvas" Challenge

The results of the Choo Choo Quilters 2010 Guild Challenge were unveiled at the November guild meeting. Eight guild members stepped up to meet the Challenge by creating quilts with only fabrics that started out solid. Color and embellishment could be added to the cloth in a variety of ways—dyeing, painting, coloring, printing, beading and stitching, to name a few. The minimum size was 16" to a maximum of 45" for each side. Congratulations to all the participants and winners!

 

"Fall Leaves" 1st Place award

"Purple and Green, #837" 2nd Place award

"Untitled" 3rd Place award

"Ferns"

 "Mosey Meadow"

"Hand-dyed Table Runner"

"Picasso's Puzzle"

"Hubble M-51 Spiral Galaxy"

Guild Challenge to be revealed November 15

At the November 15 guild meeting, the Choo Choo Quilters will reveal their 2010 Guild Challenge quilts. No doubt, several members will be finishing the binding up to the last minute, but we always have great participation in this time-honored activity.

Last year's exhibit was creative and fun and this year's is expected to be this and more. Starting with a blank canvas (any solid colored fabric(s)), any technique could be used to create a Challenge quilt. Size, embellishment and other specifications can be found here.

Satisfy your curiosity and year-long anticipation and see what guild members came up with to meet the challenge. You won't want to miss this meeting!