Afghan Children Quilt Updates and New Guidelines for Wrap-A-Smile Quilts

We are back to quilting with a sense of purpose!  After the exciting announcement about Wrap-A-Smile partnering with Quilts Beyond Borders (while we wait for Rotaplast to request more quilts), Ann and I have been contacted by so many of you -ready to mail quilts, ready to finish up quilts, and ready to start making quilts with all the children’s fabric you have purchased during the pandemic! 

I picked up 187 quilts from Karen, the NE QBB coordinator in Worcester yesterday!  Added to the others I have from various WAS NE quilters and guilds, we have sufficient quilts in order to share a quilt with each evacuated Afghan child currently settled through Welcome NHT in NH and MA.  We also have enough for several other families still expected to arrive in the next month or so from military bases or those still in hotels awaiting their new homes. 

By Sue H

By Pam, MA

By Linda, RI

From Nancy S, MA

Yesterday I delivered the first 9 quilts to two local NH team leaders and today I am choosing quilts for 72 children for various Massachussetts teams to give to their families. What beautiful, handmade creations! Thank you, thank you! It is so fun to be surrounded by such JOY and share it with others.

By Joyce, MA

By Linda, RI

By Marsha and Peg

So where will the quilts you send us go now?  QBB is in partnership with Comfort Cases, a non profit organization in Rockville, MD that provides backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items for youth entering the foster care system.  The comfort items include a homemade quilt for each child.  (Comfortcases.org) QBB also partners with Kits for Kids in Simsbury, CT which has a similar mission to Comfort Cases. 

As promised, here are some more details regarding WAS’s partnership with QBB.  

New Guidelines for Wrap-A-Smile quilts 

1) At this time, we can accept quilts with any type of batting.

2) Please no fabrics with scary, war, police, religious or pig themes.  

3) Sizes from 40 x 45 inches (for babies) to 42 x 48-60 inches is a good target for children and youth. 

4) Quilts should be machine bound and quilted, leaving no more than 3-4 inches between quilt lines for added durability.

4) WAS is working on designing a new label.  However, to make your own label please include the following:

     Wrap-A-Smile/Quilts Beyond Borders

     Made by __________ (put your name-first, last or both)

     Belongs to _______(leave blank for the child to add their name)

     (This can be sewn, printed, embroidered or written in Sharpie and sewn on your quilt).

5) Quilts can be shipped to or dropped off.   Please contact me, (Paige Curtis) at wrapasmilene@gmail.com with questions or delivery addresses. 

By Ann in NC

Piles and Piles of Joy

And more joy, created by YOU!