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SSMQG COMMUNITY (CHARITY) COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS 
South Sarasota MQG Community/Charity Committee  
Members: Jody Jordan, Pam Morris, Chris Haddad, Jill Platt, Linda Crump, Carole  Debbie Sipp; Marie Black; Sue Balazs, Lenore Loftus 

We are currently making quilts for donation. In the past they have been given to All-Star Children's Foundation and the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). Both of these organizations support kids. In 2023 our recipients are changing and the name has changed to Caring Quilts.

COLLECTING QUILTS  

• Members are asked to donate completed quilts at general meetings.

• If an entire quilt seems daunting, you may make individual blocks (per our monthly challenge) to contribute to Caring Quilts. Click here to find out more. 
• QUILTS MUST BE WASHED IN FRAGRANCE FREE PRODUCTS--wrap in a bag if  you have pets--remember some people may have allergies. We will collect  quilts and donate them periodically. 
• Volunteer Quilters may be needed (Long Armers and Domestic Machines) to quilt some  of these quilts. Please notify any member of the committee if you can do some quilting. • Members are asked to provide the top, batting and backing and binding if they cannot  complete the quilt on their own. 
• Volunteers may also be needed to attach binding after longarming.  
• SEW-IN DAYS are a great time to work on the Caring Quilts.

TYPES OF QUILTS & PATTERNS: MAKE IT MODERN!!

• Please make gender neutral quilts that are suitable for any child.
• Preferred sizes are minimum 42" x 60" up to 60" x 70".
• Use 100% cotton fabrics for the top and backing. Batting can be 80/20 or 100% cotton or  other natural fibers such as wool or bamboo.  
• FABRICS: Please be inclusive in your fabric choices. Please use color palettes that are  bright but not 'baby-ish'. No pale blue and pink or pastel colors please. Avoid fabrics  with images that are targeted to a gender or age such as unicorns, fairies, butterflies,  flowers, trucks, etc.  
• Shop your stash. Don't have enough of one color? Substitute other fabrics as you make  your blocks. 
• Pieced backs will actually make this a two sided quilt. Use larger pieces of stash and  scraps to make a simple pieced back.  
• BLOCK PATTERNS: Use any type of quilt pattern with pieced blocks. Remember that  these quilts will be used and washed. Applique will probably not hold up as well as  pieced blocks. Pattern sources include the Modern Quilt Guild website. There are some  interesting patterns there and they are all free. 
• Please remember that these quilts might be given away to young people, children or adults. This  is not a 'show quilt'. Use your stash and scraps to make these quilts—they will be  appreciated for the caring gesture. 
• Keep it simple! Simpler block designs, fun fabrics and simple quilting.
• QUILT IT SIMPLE! The quilting can be as simple and easy as straight lines spaced  about 1 inch apart; wavy or meandering lines; simple pantographs; etc. Make sure your  quilting is secure—check the back and front for any loose threads.  
• Make BIG BORDERS! Make BIG BLOCKS! For example, adding 6-8 inch wide  borders on all four sides will mean less piecing. You can whip something up in a day a la  Eleanor Burns style. 

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FUN WAYS TO GET QUILTS MADE 

• Organize Sew Days (Zoom and in person) to work on a quilt separately or create  blocks for a group quilt. Self organize with some buddies from the Guild! • Self-organize groups -- Partnering with other members is a lot of fun and a good  way to get to know more people—you don't have to do it alone!  
• Pods can collaborate on a quilt 
• Use this quilt as a way to practice a new-to-you block pattern or practice simple  quilting.