Have you ever heard of the words “binding,” “batting,” “piecing” or “appliqué”? How about “quilting”? Just visit the quarterly work session of the Blankies for Grownups at John Muir Medical Center Concord and you will get a brilliantly colored eyeful. At the event, quilters fashion cuddly blankets to be given away to comfort adults who are dealing with serious illnesses.
The core group is the Diablo Valley Quilt Guild based in Danville. It is augmented on Blankie Day by many individuals from other quilting groups with great names like:
Needle Arts Guild (N.A.G. for short)
Monday Night Pickles
Starlight Stitchers
Twisted Thimbles
The Blockheads
Susan Gray, a Danville resident, is the current Blankie Day leader.
“As many as 100 of these lady artists come together each quarter at the hospital,” she said. “The group then becomes Blankies for Grownups for a day. They bring their sewing machines, special tables, ironing boards, thousands of pins, and prefabricated parts.”
On a long labor-filled day, fueled by their generosity and camaraderie, they turn out as many finished products as possible. Not only do the ladies bring prefabricated parts but some bring finished items. One woman named Sindhu More brings 50-60 knitted blankets each year.
“Shindhu was recruited by one of the organization’s biggest supporters, Dr. Beverly Spurs,” said Diane Barnett, another Danville resident. “Dr. Spurs and Shindhu were volunteering together at a blood bank.” Now Shindhu is a core volunteer at Blankie Day.
By the end of Blankie Day and continuing throughout the year, this group of talented people turns out blankets, lap robes, hats, preemie blankets and other items for patients in need, focusing mainly on breast cancer patients.
The main distribution person is Vicki Ricconi, who works closely with the Breast Health Project; County Hospital in Martinez; the American Cancer Society; and the Wellness Community in Pleasant Hill.
Others also catch their attention. A U.S. military hospital in Germany receives patriotic red, white and blue items. Places like the Ronald McDonald House, various hospitals, convalescent homes and outpatients receive a wide variety of the most cheerfully colored works imaginable. Each item bears a printed logo and tag with a greeting from this outreach program.
It all started 15 years ago with the Needle Arts at Pacific Bell when some of the members, their friends, and families were touched by breast cancer. All during these 15 years, breast cancer has remained the primary focus that seems to be the impetus which keeps the volunteers charged up.
Now, about 2,200 quilts later, Blankies for Grownups reaches out to embrace wounded soldiers, cancer victims, newborns and those in Hospice. Grateful testimonials from recipients would likely fill a book.
Some of the breast cancer victims facing surgery have told the volunteers they didn’t realize anyone cared until the special blanket arrived with a note from this group of caring people.
Another recipient went into Hospice with only one personal possession – her gift from Blankies for Grownups.
Supplies and materials are purchased at garage and estate sales as well as from friends. Monetary donations are always welcome as are more workers.
Volunteer Karen Boutte, known as the Quilt Diva, said Houston hosts a quilt show that draws 52,000 attendees. “Some of them will pay $400-$40,000 for a quilt at this show’s auction,” she said.
Be warned! Quilting can be habit forming. But there is a good outlet for the addiction: Blankies for Grownups. CharStyle:endbullet>n
Quilting contacts
Anyone wishing to help with Blankies for Grownups can contact Susan Gray at 943-7290 or Thequiltlady@prodigy.net; or Diane Barnett at 837-1863. For information about the history, techniques, values, shows and auctions, check out:
www.Needlepointers.com
www.Quiltguilds.com
