The Missions Committee and WOSJ are sponsoring a project to provide a quilt to each of the 159 orphans living at the Neema Children’s Home in Kenya. These children have been orphaned by AIDS. The children will live out their childhood at the orphanage and will not be adopted. The Neema Children’s Home is located in a mountainous area of Kenya where the temperatures dip down to the 30’s at night. Plus, the building is not heated! The childrens’ ages range from 4 years to 21 years and over half are boys. St. James has a team traveling to the area in May, 2008 and they will deliver the quilts. We need your help to purchase fabric & supplies. We Also need volunteers to sew, quilt, cut fabric, etc. If you sew or you know someone that does, please contact the church office, or you may email us at wosj07@yahoo.com
We can work at our homes as our schedules permit. After the holidays, I’d like to schedule some group sewing days and have everyone meet at the church for fun, fellowship, (food?) and oh, yes, sewing!Watch for the announcements of group sewing days at the church!
Quilt ProjectNeema Children’s Home2007/2008
St. James Missions Committee & WOSJ are sponsoring a project to provide quilts to each of the 159 orphans living at the Neema Children’s Home.
Our goal is to make 170 quilts to allow for additional children that may come to the home between now and May, 2008. Ideally, the quilts will be 100% cotton, approximately 45” X 55” in size. This size is approximate and can vary from quilt to quilt.
St. James is purchasing wool batting to be used in as many of the quilts as possible. If you are unable to use the wool batting, please use a low loft polyester that is washable and durable. Please wash your fabric in advance of cutting to allow for shrinkage and fading. We believe the quilts will be handwashed going forward, however, we are unclear as to the type of detergents or scrubbing that may be in use.
If you prefer to crochet, rather than quilt, that is also acceptable. Again, please prewash your yarn to allow for shrinkage and fading. The residents of the children’s home range in age from 4 to 21. Over half of the residents are boys, so please try to use prints that are not gender specific or too feminine.
Thank you so much for your participation in this exciting and worthwhile cause.If you have any questions, please contact the church office or email us at wosj07@yahoo.com
Simple Block QuiltFinished Size approx 45” X 55”Fabric Requirements:
½ yd of each of 4 novelty prints (44-45” after washing) or 2 Fat Quarters of each of 4 Prints of your choice.
2 Yds. for Sashing, Borders, & Binding
Batting
3 Yds Backing
Cutting Instructions:
From each of the ½ yd of the 4 novelty prints: Cut 4 – 10 ½” Squares or From each of the 8 Fat Quarters: Cut 2 – 10 ½” Squares
From the Sashing/Border Fabric: Cut 8 – 3 ½” x WOF (Width of Fabric)Also cut 6 – 3” Strips for Binding.
Assembly: USE A SCANT ¼” SEAM ALLOWANCE
Join the blocks in 4 Rows of 4 Squares. Join rows with the 3 ½” strips. Add Top and Bottom Borders with the remaining strips. Piece the remaining 3 border strips end to end and subcut into two pieces. Join these two strips to each side. Trim as needed.
Variation of Simple Quilt Finished Size approx 45” X 56”Fabric Requirements:
½ yd of each of 5 novelty prints (44-45”after washing) or 2 Fat Quarters of each of 5 Prints of your choice.
1.5 Yds. for Sashing, Borders, & Binding
Batting
3 Yds Backing
Cutting Instructions:
From each of the ½ yd of the 5 novelty prints: Cut 4 – 10 ½” Squares or From each of the 10 Novelty Print Fat Quarters: Cut 2 – 10 ½” Squares
From the Sashing/Border Fabric: Cut 5 – 3 ½” x WOF (Width of Fabric)Also cut 6 – 3” Strips for Binding.
Assembly:
USE A SCANT ¼” SEAM ALLOWANCE Join the blocks in 5 Rows of 4 Squares. Join 5 rows together (no sashing between rows as above). Add Top and Bottom Borders. Piece the remaining 3 border strips end to end and subcut into two pieces. Join to each side. Trim as needed.Note: The small squares are (4) 5.5” squares sewn together w/1/4” seam.
Layering and Basting
Layering and basting needs to be done on a hard surface, either a large table or the floor.
1. Place the backing wrong side up on the surface (the floor).
2. Place the batting on the backing. Do not stretch or distort it. It may need to be straightened or patted down some.
3. Lay the pressed quilt top right side up onto the batting. Keep the quilt top centered on the sandwich (batting and backing). Smooth it out. Lay your quilt top right side up on the batting
4. Basting can be done with safety pins or thread. To safety pin baste, start at the center and pin about every 8 to 10 inches. To baste with a thread, use a large embroidery needle and single thread knotted at one end. Start in the center, taking large stitches out to the sides. Knot the thread a the end. Go back to the center each time.
Time to Quilt
For this project and the time constraints, we recommend machine quilting, stitching in the ditch. Of course, you may hand quilt if that is your preference. For the squares, stitch an “X” through the square to secure it. Tieing is also a great method for quickly quilting these quilts.
See “Tying & Binding” for instructions on tying and finishing the quilt.
