By now we have all heard of the October 2018 devastation in Florida from the Category 5 Hurricane Michael. This storm was the 3rd most intense to hit the U.S. since statistics have been kept!! There are many other stats (and we won’t get into global warming or we’ll be here all day) explaining why it was one of the worst, but that’s neither here nor there. Rescuers are still trying to dig out from under the rubble and over 40 people are still missing. The survivors are in dire need of basics like food, shelter and clothing and money is what will help provide those things. Monetary donations are very needed to help the region. Pick your favorite charity and give if you can. There are many reputable charities like the Red Cross or Directrelief.com but give elsewhere if you have a preference.

In the quilt world, we have often responded to tragedies by making quilts for those affected. I am aware of people sometimes trying to help in ways that are counterproductive. In this case, when the dust settles and people begin to rebuild, it will be lovely to have homemade quilts on hand to give out. It is this thinking which has Sharon and her Alabama church has taking on a quilt drive. In 2011, Sharon’s family survived a horrible Alabama tornado. She knows first hand what it’s like to experience nature’s devastation. The quilts won’t go out for months, as people in the area are still in triage. However, we can all help get things started for when the time is right for a warm, lovely and therapeutic quilt distribution.

The Alabama church is asking for 10.5″ unfinished string quilt blocks in any colors you wish. Multicolored blocks are fine of course. Quilters on the other end will sew the blocks into quilts, but if you wish to donate an entire quilt or top, they will gladly take that as well. If you’re like me, you have lots of string scraps lying around. These go together quickly, are relaxing and make an easy way for helping others. There are lots of string block tutorials online and this craftsy one is good, even if it’s a different size block. Whatever tutorial you use, keep in mind to trim your block to 10.5″. I like to cut up old worn out bed sheets into pieces 1/2″ larger than the final size needed. In other words, cut your old sheets into 11″ squares. I recommend well-starching the foundation squares at this point. Then start adding your strips one by one and when all done, iron the block well and trim to 10.5″. Beware, these string blocks are addictive, but all the better to help others.

Send your 10.5″ string blocks to:

UMW Quilting Group, Hurricane Quilt Drive, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36116

I’ve made several blocks already and plan to keep going until I see the bottom of my scrap string box. We shall see how that goes because they do seem to multiply rather than diminish.

Linking up:

To anywhere I can spread the word