The Quilt That Love Built by Judy Campbell

Raychel and Tony were having a hard time thinking up what to do for their church service project this year. "I want to do something really different this time—like the project where we sent a cow to Africa—that was so cool!" said Tony. "I know what you mean," Raychel agreed, "collecting bottles and cans and cleaning up the park were okay, but I want to do something that really makes a difference to someone." They were sitting together on the big sofa in the family room, the one with the patchwork quilt that Raychel's grandmother had made for the family when they moved into their new home. She had put pieces of all of their old clothing and tee shirts into that quilt. Every square in the quilt held a little piece of the family history. Raychel was smoothing the quilt with her hands and Tony was sitting half under it when an "ah ha!" look appeared on Raychel's face. "Tony!" she squealed, "we can all make a quilt and send it to the Women and Children's shelter. You know, the one where your parents help out? They're always collecting stuff like clothes and blankets. Each kid in our class could make a patch, and then after you and I sew it together, everyone could help with the quilting part. It would be just like the old-fashioned quilting bees I read about in school last year." "Geez," groaned Tony, "I don't know. Guys don't sew." "You're good at art," said Raychel, "and who says guys don't sew? If I can hammer, you can sew." Tony knew he was going to lose this argument. The quilt idea was a good one, and of course he could sew, he just didn't think he would like it. But then, he'd never tried it before. "How will we get all the pieces?" he asked. Help Us Make a Real Quilt With your help, we will make a real quilt together to donate to someone in need. Take a 12" square of solid color fabric (cotton or cotton blend, please, no wool or felt) and decorate it with markers, fabric pens or small pieces of fabric. Your design should be something bright and cheerful. Send your quilt square to uu&me! We'll sew the squares together into a beautiful quilt(s) which we will donate to Renewal House, a UU program for women and children in Boston, MA. Your first name, and hometown, plus a picture of the finished quilt(s) will be published in an upcoming issue of uu&me! THANKS! Your work will make a real difference to someone in need. Send your 12" square to: The Quilt Love Built Betsy Williams, uu&me! 25 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108 "We'll start by asking people who like to sew to make a patchwork patch that is exactly 12 inches square. If they don't have the cloth and needles and stuff to sew with, kids can just decorate a 12-inch square piece of cloth with markers. We'll collect the squares and then my mother can sew them all together on the sewing machine. Then we'll take it back to church and after we add the stuffing and the backing, we'll do the final quilting all together, just as they did in the old days —only we'll have pizza and ice cream and..." "Waaaiiiit a minute," said Tony, "You're going way too fast. What's the difference between a patchwork square and a plain square, and what's 'stuffing' and 'backing' and where do we get all this stuff?" "You're a pair of squares yourselves," joked Raychel's mother, as she joined the two. "I heard you from the kitchen, and I would be glad to help with this. I think it's a great idea." "Raychel has a whole plan already," said Tony, "and I can't even figure out where to start!" "I think you should start by measuring and cutting squares out of the cloth in our scrap bag. If you want me to, I could teach the kids how to make an easy nine-patch square," Raychel's mom offered. "Then, after we collect the squares, I'll sew them together, and show you all how to finish the quilt." "Thanks, Mom," said Raychel. "This will be the best project ever. Do you think we could find out who gets the quilt at the shelter?" "I don't know. Maybe they'll let us take a picture of the quilt and the person who receives it. What do you think?" "I think we should go get your scrap bag," said Tony. "But, I thought you didn't want to sew," teased Raychel. "Well, maybe this once," said Tony, grinning. "Besides, I can do lots of things if I think it's going to help someone else. That's the best part. So, where's the scrap bag and scissors? Let's get started."

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