I had read reviews of this little book and today it came home from the store with me. The subtitle, Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time pretty much explains it all.I have always loved the way quilts and causes go so well together. Back in 1985, I made a panel for the Peace Ribbon. Panels depicting "what I cannot bear to think of as lost in a nuclear war" were wrapped around the Pentagon on Hiroshima Day. I've made a panel for the AIDS Quilt, and was a quilt monitor when it came to Chicago in 1988. My kids have made kid sized quilts for the Linus Project. I've sewn for smaller, local projects, too. Somehow, I am always changed for the better by the act of making something to send out into the world.
From the book...
The patchwork quilt is really
the symbol of the world which must come:
one new design made out of many old designs.
We will stitch this world together yet.
Don't give up.
-Pete Seeger
And
How wonderful it is that
nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world.
-Anne Frank
This great little book offers, "more than 25 inspiring essays and 15 charity projects". It's a gem. I look forward to reading this neat book about "community quilting".
I think at least one reader has made art quilts for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative . If you have done any creative work for a cause, please let us know, and include links if you'd like!
Thank you.
I Almost came home with this book this week too! Opted for the xmas list instead. I have the earlier "Knitting for Peace" and love it - can't wait! At UCH we slept out for the homeless last spring & spent some time reading "The Quiltmakers Gift" and constructing a quilt to pass on to the sharing connection - a community organization that gives things to families in need.
ReplyDeleteGee Karen, I don't read your blog for a few days and you have come up with a whole bunch of new things!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I love Gretta's new blog and have left her a comment. Love the froggie kitchen ware, your color play post (especially the purple - YUM!), your birch tree tote (I want to try this!!) and especially, your post about quilts for a cause. I've made a couple for project Linus, and a panel for The Ribbon Project. In fact, I was privileged to know Michele Peppers, one of the founders of The Ribbon, when I lived in Long Island. This post has inspired me to do another panel.
Deb-I just couldn't wait for December! I will have to look for Knitting for Peace at the library. Love the idea of making simple, recycled sleeping bags for homeless folks. There's a good chapter in the book on "how to".
ReplyDeleteJudy-Ya, I've been in a bit of a fabric frenzy! The rehabbed tote is super easy, and I was delighted with the results. Try it! Glad reading about the book inspired you. It's really sweet and full of ideas.