Friendship Quilters of Linthicum, MD

Our Guild supports the individual and group efforts of our members in donating quilts to charity. We collect charity quilts  children and adults at each monthly meeting. The most useful sizes are : Kids 36"x40" (approx.) juvenile prints, bolds or pastels. Adults: Lap size 40"x40" up to 60"x72" (approx.) Throughout the year these are distributed to local charities i.e., Ronald McDonald House, Linus Projects, and the Chesapeake House.

Preemie Quilts are taken by Irma to Harbor and St. Agnes Hospitals. They are used in the isolettes as well as to cover isolettes so that the preemies can get some sleep since the lights are always on in the ward. Sizes needed are from no smaller than 18" by 24" up to 36 inches square or any size in between. They must be hand or machine quilted - no tied quilts can be used. Fabrics must be pre-washed. No monofilament threads, metallic fabrics or metallic threads are to be used. Please use batting and appropriate baby colors and prints. Flannel on the back is not required, but it does make a soft back.

Pillowcase style sheets measuring 21"x32" can also be used by the hospital.

Nests: Preemies also use "nests". The are just like the snakes that people put in front of doors to cut off drafts. In the hospital they are used to nestle preemies from the minute they enter the ICU ward. Take a piece of flannel 9"x40-42". Fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew up the ends toward the middle leaving one or two openings near the middle to stuff. Turn it right side out and stuff. It takes about 10 ounces of fiberfill to make it soft but firm. Irma says to round off the ends and whipstitch the openings after stuffing.

Love Projects: Our guild is committed to making quilts for local charities and causes. The committee will chose a pattern and often prepare the fabric for guild members to try new techniques or block designs which are the assembled into quilts. Many members complete entire quilts for charity using the featured block or design. These charity quilts are often referred to as Love Projects. Entire meetings can be spent making these Love Projects or the committee may chose to book a non-meeting date for completing this effort.