For the past year DCMQG has been donating quilts to Comfort Cases. We are gearing up to donate more in a few months. Want to know more and join in our efforts...read on!
Who: Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization in Rockville, MD, works with child protective services agencies to bring dignity and hope to youth entering foster care. They provide an age-appropriate backpack filled with comfort items. These backpacks are distributed as kids are being removed from their homes, rather than transporting their belongings in trash bags. Their goal is to provide a comfort case to every youth entering foster care in the United States. Since 2013, they have reached 49/50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico!
Who: Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization in Rockville, MD, works with child protective services agencies to bring dignity and hope to youth entering foster care. They provide an age-appropriate backpack filled with comfort items. These backpacks are distributed as kids are being removed from their homes, rather than transporting their belongings in trash bags. Their goal is to provide a comfort case to every youth entering foster care in the United States. Since 2013, they have reached 49/50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico!
What: The cases (a small backpack) contain a variety of items including a small blanket or quilt, basic toiletries, pajamas, stuffed animals, and a book. The quilts that we make are a familiar item for the kids to keep as they move through their journey and are to provide comfort more so than warmth. The kids are also given an empty duffle bag to hold their clothes and belongings. Currently, there are MANY babies entering the foster care system and they haven’t found a good supply of baby blankets, so baby quilts are their greatest need.
When: At least twice each year, Elle will be coordinating deliveries to Comfort Cases. This project is ongoing so if you miss one deadline, there’s always another opportunity.
Guild Contact: You can find Elle on Instagram at ellerby77. She is more than happy to answer any questions!
Instagram: Please use #100quilts4kids
TIPS FOR MAKING QUILTS FOR COMFORT CASES
Teamwork: Many quilters have a favorite step in the process. If you have a top pieced, someone else may want to quilt it, and another person may help with the binding. If you can’t make a completed quilt, just let your guildmates know and find someone to take over. We also can use your “orphan blocks” or monthly challenge blocks to make spectacular group quilts.
Preferred Size: Approximately 30” x 36” up to 45” x 60”, or a square, or anything in between. It just needs to fit into the bag with other supplies. A 36-45” square quilt is optimal. Exact size doesn’t matter so have fun.
Fabrics: Anything that you would use for a child that you love! Some fabric has been donated for these quilts, or you can use your own (or a combination of the two!). Please return leftover donated fabric to make into new charity quilts.
Batting: Anything you have is great! The guild purchased a large roll of Quilter’s Dream Select Natural Cotton for this project. Contact Elle before a meeting and tell her what size of batting you need so that she can have it ready for you.
Labels: Ask Elle for DCMQG labels printed from Spoonflower. These should be attached to the back.
Binding: A strong machine binding is great. A favorite is Susie’s Magic Binding Tutorial.
Washing: Please wash your quilt prior to donating. This prevents them from bleeding onto others (use color catchers until they come out clean if you have them), removes allergens, and also gives you time to fix any stitching that needs reinforcement.
Folding/Rolling: Comfort Cases has a specific method of folding and rolling the quilts so that they fit inicely into the backpacks. Ask about their method or have a guildmate show you. Tie it with a wide ribbon in a double knot (no need to tie fancy bows).
Tagging: It is a huge help with packing the cases if we know who the quilt is made perfectly for. Please DEFINITELY do this if you fold and roll your quilt (so we don’t have to undo it). Use a post-it and clip (binding clips and paper clips work well) to label the quilt for a boy or girl, and which age group (infant, 2-9yrs, or over 10yrs). If you think it could work for a variety of genders or ages, then pick one. Having the quilts tagged saves a lot of time in keeping them organized.