 WARM
EMBRACE
Quilts for Foster Children -
Fourth Annual Christmas Quilt Drive
Please join the South Central
Kansas SRS Region (Newton, El Dorado, Emporia, Hutchinson, McPherson,
Wellington, Winfield), in partnership with Saint Francis Community
Services, and TFI Family Services, Inc. in a community effort to
provide keepsake quilts for every child in foster care in our
region.
Children often come into foster
care with very few possessions. A quilt represents "comfort
and safety".
Donations of new handmade quilts
are needed for approximately 900 foster children this year to be
provided at Christmas time.
The quilts are needed by mid-November,
2011.
The youth range in age from birth
to 18 years old.
The GREATEST NEED is for
quilts for older youth or TEENS.
Quilts must be designed with
child safety in mind - washable with no attachments, which could come
off and cause a choking hazard.
The most important thing to keep
in mind is that these quilts are washed frequently, and some are given
to infants and small children.
Guidelines include:
Design:
-
Use your favorite patchwork
or appliqué pattern, or use pre-printed panels or
fabric.
-
If you are using markers or
fabric paints, make sure they are indelible and
non-toxic.
-
Do not use "puff"
paints as it can be picked off and swallowed.
Size:
-
Crib size (45" x
60") for babies
-
twin bed size (65" x
85") for youth and teens is suggested
-
any appropriate quilt
donation of any size will be gratefully accepted!
Fabric:
-
Pre-washed (to ensure wash ability).
If necessary, please pre-wash materials and check for
stains.
-
Sheets make good backing.
-
WASH FINISHED quilts for
presentation.
Batting:
-
Bonded polyester (light or
medium weight)
-
Bonded cotton (light or
medium weight)
-
Clean, used blankets make
good substitutes for batting.
Construction:
-
Please make sure that you use
1/4" seam allowance for all piecing.
-
If you are using appliqué,
please stitch the pieces down, either by hand or
machine.
-
Heat bonded fabric will
eventually come off the face of the quilt unless it is also
stitched.
Quilt/Tie:
Finished Edges:
-
Bind
-
Serge
-
Envelope Method (this must be
done before quilted or tied). Sew right sides of fabric
together with batting on the bottom; sew around the edges, leaving
an 8" opening for turning right side out. After turning
right side out, sew the opening together and top stitch around the
outside 1 to 2 inches from the edge.
Embellishments:
When finished, ask
yourself:
-
Is this quilt "baby
ready"?
-
Is it safe?
-
Please check carefully,
looking for any stray pins.
-
Is it secure? Are all
the pieces sewn down? Are there any gaps in the seams?
-
Is it quilted or tied
enough?
-
Is it clean?
Please include the following
information with your donation:
-
Name
-
Organization (if applicable)
-
Full Address
-
Phone
-
Email
-
Please indicate who you
consider the quilt most appropriate for: Baby, Young Child,
Teen, Girl, Boy, Either.
If you wish, you can leave
donated quilts at either of Charlotte's stores in Newton or phone Toni
Harryman at El Dorado SRS for instructions: 316-321-4200
ext. 239
The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) South Central Region, in partnership with Saint Francis Community Services, and TFI Family
Services, Inc. are requesting donations of new handmade quilts, blankets, fleece blankets, and afghans.
The Warm Embrace Project provides these items to Kansas children in foster care and those awaiting adoption.
This is the fourth year for this project, formerly known as the Christmas Quilt Project.
Quilt makers, community organizations, churches, senior groups, and other
interested parties are invited to help.
All Warm Embrace items should be new.
To participate or for more information
email toni.harryman at srs.ks.gov, contact your local service center or call 1-888-369-4777.
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