Annual Session Service Project


One arm of Latter Day Saint Charities is the: Humanitarian Services Quilt Project

Here in Utah, quilting is part of our pioneer heritage.  We are so sorry that you are not here to see the beautiful display of quilts we were planning for you.  We were even going to have quilts set up around Snowbird Lodge for you to ‘tie and talk’ (as Roxie called it).

So, as Tri-liaisons to this year’s NEAFCS Annual Session we would like to extend an invitation to our State Affiliates and members to participate as a state in making quilt tops that can be donated to Latter Day Saint Charities.  There is no time limit, or number of quilt limits being suggested.  We will leave it up to you as to how you organize this within your state.  It can be done individually, or as an affiliate.

Some ideas for this invitation might include:

  1. Having one person in your membership take the lead—gathering fabric donations, designing the quilt top, making assignments and setting deadlines. OR,
  2. Extending an invitation within your membership to each complete a quilt top, by having each participating member simply make a quilt block, then someone put it all together.
  3. Have ‘quilting bees’ to work on your quilt(s)…virtually of course.

If you are interested and have questions about how you and your State Affiliate might work together on this quilt project please feel free to contact:  Teresa Hunsaker, USU Extension, Weber County [email protected]801-399-8203, 1181 North Fairgrounds Drive Ogden, Utah  84404

The completed quilts, or even just the quilt tops can be sent directly to Teresa Hunsaker, and then be taken to the Humanitarian Center, or, you can mail them directly to the Center…address below.

***PLEASE:  Once quilts are completed, take a picture and send to our National Association leadership team, or Teresa.  We could have a virtual NEAFCS quilt tour.

GUIDELINES

Quilted and tied quilts are intended to warm not only the body but the spirit as well.  Please follow these guidelines to ensure that the quilts you donate are appropriate. Quality is more important than quantity.

Approximate Sizes

Crib: 45 x 60 inches      Twin: 72 x 90 inches          Full: 90 x 90 inches

Suggested Materials

  • Cotton, cotton-poly blend, or flannel (pre-shrunk if necessary).
  • Denim and corduroy are not preferred because they are slow to dry and heavier to ship.
  • Bonded poly batting about ½” thick is recommended for tied quilts.
  • 3- or 4-ply yarn or heavy Cro-sheen for the tied quilts.

Guidelines

  • Quilts may be tied or quilted by hand or machine, both types are needed and appreciated.
  • If quilt is pieced, make sure all seams are secured with ½ inch seams.

 For Tied Quilts:

  • Ties should be approximately 4 inches apart.
  • Stitch should be approximately ¼" on the bottom.
  • Mark using chalk and make sure that stitches will fully cover the mark when tied.
  • Use double thread of 3- or 4-ply yarn or double thread of heavy Cro-sheen.
  • Square knot, back stitch, or international stitch are preferred.
  • Check underneath to make sure there are no knots.
  • Please ensure that ties cannot be pulled out.

Binding:

  • Should be carefully done by hand or machine.
  • Below are two suggested methods:
1) Pillow Case Method: Recommended If Tying without Frames
  • With right sides together, lay top and bottom of quilt on flat surface. Lay batting on top, and pin and sew three sides. Turn right side out and fold in the open end. Top-stitch around four edges. Sew another row 1 inch from the edges to secure batting.
2) Roll Method:
  • Trim excess batting to allow you to bring the bottom of the quilt over the top piece, using the roll hem method. Pin and sew with a sturdy stitch.  

Contact Information for LDS Charities, or to mail quilts:

Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center
1665 Bennett Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
Phone: 801-240-5954
E-mail: [email protected]