Farmington Valley Quilters
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Neonatal Quilts
We deliver neonatal quilts to Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford and the Hartford and Tolland Counties Chapter of Project Linus. The quilts are appreciated, and bring much comfort to adults and babies alike. The fabric choices, patterns, and quilting on the adorable, humorous, and sometimes funky quilts are delightful to see.
The ‘Specially Handmade By Farmington Valley Quilters’ label is sewn on each quilt before delivering them.
The following requirements are to ensure that donated quilts are safe to be used by our neonatal infants. We don’t want any tiny, tiny fingers to get caught in gaps between stitches. Also, loose threads or added embellishments are a chewing hazard.
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Fabric – 100% cotton
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Size – Minimum of 35x35 to a maximum of 40x40
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Stitch length – All piecing stitches should be tight. Most quilting machines automatically set at around 2.5, however a smaller stitch length of 2.0 is advisable.
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Quilting stitches - All quilts should be quilted with small, tight stitches.
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Bindings – Hand-stitched bindings should be made with small, tight stitches. The corners should also be stitched closed.
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Loose Threads – Please inspect the finished quilt carefully and trim any loose threads.
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Embellishments - While embellishments add interest to a quilt, we cannot accept any quilts with any fabric components that are not securely adhered to the base of the quilt.
Neonatal quilt donations can be brought to our meetings.
Chairs: Kitty Vangunten, Linda Johnston, Darcy Gray, Maureen Hulsart
Holiday Drawstring Bag
These cloth bags are used by families who fill them with donated toys and other items which are then given to their hospitalized children. The Snowflake Shop, run by hospital and volunteer staffers, coordinates the gathering and distribution of these holiday gifts.
Bags can be made from holiday fabric, but it is not required. Solids, winter themes, juvenile patterns and scrappy fabrics are perfectly acceptable. Our 2022 goal is 150 bags with a delivery date of December 12.
Chairs: Kitty Vangunten, Maureen Hulsart, Linda Johnston, Darcy Gray
ABC Quilts
The ABC, A Better Chance, program is a national, non-profit organization that gives promising minority students an opportunity to receive their high school education at an excellent suburban school. It is a residential program with the students living together in a house in Simsbury. Each student is also sponsored by a local family.
Farmington Valley Quilters' goal is to provide each boy who enters the program with a new handmade quilt. We started the ABC Quilt Project in 1997 and each year we have presented at least two students with quilts.
Co-Chairs: Kathie Fallon and Lynda Cook
