December 2025 Work Day Recap

Many were missed this weekend due to the weather.  Friday was a whirlwind of sorting fabric.  There were 10 or 12 people with their machines but most opted for the safe choice of staying home on Saturday!  Therefore, we did a quick share of Joys and Concerns on Friday and we distributed the finished quilts as well to take that off our plate for Saturday.  There is only a glimpse of the new quilts on the Photo's tab of the Blog but it doesn't really do them justice.  Most will be distributed for Christmas through Hope Ministries and LSI so it was good to get them what we could.

    

                                         

This message above was in one of the donations we received.   The three of us who sewed all day Saturday felt it was appropriate.  All the existing bins were sorted with little pieces taken out for our scraps project.  Amusingly enough, two whole tables were full of donations to sort through.  And some of you mentioned donations but were unable to make it in due to the snow.  God does answer prayers!  Can you believe it?  We ended up have many full bins on the shelves again.  They are not sorted and labeled as well as they previously were because we had to just make it all fit on Saturday when we were cleaning up.  There still is not a lot of companion yardage pieces to go with with 3 or 4 color quilts.  So scrappy designs may be the best option for us for a while.  But there are so many fun kids and teen fabrics that we should have lots of fun making quilts for that population.  Start looking for scrappy quilt patterns.  Even regular quilt patterns with big pieces will look good with a more scrappy mix of fabrics.  Let's use our imagination!

Scrappy blocks are still a good choice for using up the smaller stuff.  In January, a short design talk will be given to help you think about how to use these blocks in a quilt pattern.  The hope is that we can continue to work on these scrappy blocks and design talks to get everyone thinking creatively as well as utilizing small pieces.  Maybe we'll consider 2026 the "Year in Scraps".  We can add a blog page showing all that we made with the scraps.  What fun!   We'll talk more about it in January.

To the members of Hope Quilters, and to those who read our blog, may we all find peace during this hectic holiday season, and getting time to worship the birth of the Christ child.  

Until next year,

Merry Christmas

November 2025 Work Day Recap

November weather started to let us know on Saturday that it is actually supposed to get colder and whiter during this season.  Huge snowflakes came down, thankfully after the group had to head home earlier than expected due to water breaking through the ceiling and landing on a quilter's work table!  I think all sewing machines were spared any damage, but nothing like living in the olden days and scrambling for buckets to catch leaks in the roof!  The group did a fabulous job of adapting and getting everything put away.   

But before all that excitement, we got to have a lovely devotional that reminded us of the value of a quilt given in love at a time of need.  Then we watched the parade of so many beautiful quilts made with love that will completely fulfill the meaning of that devotional.  💖

The Friday before, we had another special guest join us!  Lesley Green from Hope Ministries, shared about the ministries that use our quilts.  The impact that having these speakers join us and share what they do and who these ministries impact, is not only broadening our awareness of the many needs in our communities, but even resulted in more offers to volunteer from our group.  

Grateful for another donation that helped create some kits and ideas for the next projects.

Next month will be our final meeting of the year.  Attendees can work on more HQ quilts, or finish up those last minute Christmas gifts. Because Christmas will be here before you know it! Until then, here is the quilt count and the PHOTOS link on the blog to see all the quilts turned in this month

Final count of quilts for November:

• LSI - 8 quilts 
• ChildServe -  5 quilts 
• Hope Ministries - 20 lap quilts
• Waypoint Resources - 3 kids lap quilts 
• Sleep In Heavenly Peace - 7 quilts 
• Hope Ministries - 2 full/queen quilts

October 2025 Work Day Recap

 WOW !!! 

October Sew Days were just great in so many ways!  Thank goodness for a very FULL flat of tables because we used every one of them!!  People with machines just kept pouring in.  20 people is not an unusual amount of people showing up, but 20 people actually bringing their machines to sew is another thing!  And there were at least 10 more people stopping by on Friday/Saturday to visit, pick up projects and to come hear Leanna Simpson talk about Agape Pregnancy Center,

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Whatever the reason, it was great to see so many!  

As mentioned, Leanna Simpson, Director of Agape, joined our meeting to speak with us.  This agency is one where we send lots of baby blankets.  The agency is amazing in its approach to helping the unborn child, leading with love, to provide so many things to those women/couples facing a new pregnancy during troubling times.  And thanks to all of you for the 26 quilts we were able to give to Leanna this month!

Leanna shared many stories to give us an idea how sharing love as Jesus would have us do is making such a big difference in people's lives.  Here is a YouTube video about the blankets to give you a sense of how our gifts are used by Agape.  Take a look at some of the other videos produced by the group to get a sense for this important ministry.  

Leanna left with a nice big pile of baby quilts!

It was great to learn about this agency and we plan to have regular speakers at Hope Quilter events so that we can understand more about other agencies that we support.  In November, Leslie Green from Hope Ministries is scheduled to speak on Friday, the 7th, at 10:30.

At our meeting, we discussed a new "objective" for the group:  We are going to work with more intentionality, have a more direct relationship with local agencies to help us make sure we're meeting specific needs in a timely manner.  Learning more about the community we serve is an added bonus.  Communication about needs will come via Facebook and email.  We have established some new relationships and are working out a way to store more of our quilts so that we have them available when a need arises.  A "need" such as "our closets are empty" is one thing.  But we also hope to be able to react to more specific events like a graduation from Hope Ministries 2-year program or having a housewarming gift for Habitat for Humanity recipients. Having lap quilts and walker bags available for prayer partners at each Hope church location is also a goal.  

While some agencies' storage closets are full, our inquiries have found several other groups anxious to receive the quilts that you are making.  Here is the spread of donations that were collected this weekend and where we've designated them to go:

• Agape: 26
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace: 8
• LSI: 5 (they are still working with a manufacturer to give beds away at Christmas.  Our quilts will go with them!)
• Habitat for Humanity housewarming:  6  (more to come on this project)
• Hope Ministries: 27 quilts here and you'll hear more about this need at the November talk with Leslie.
• Care Ministry: 10 lap quilts, 2 wheelchair quilts and 1 walker bag in storage. 
• ChildServe: 11 quilts  (these guys will hopefully speak at the January retreat.)
  
      And yes, that total (96) is AWESOME!  You gals ROCK!
  
  Check out the PHOTOS! 

Thanks to all those who donated fabrics for our 2026 Challenge.  We are looking for dark gray, red, black and yellow.  We've had further clarification on colors.  Having a little white in the mix is okay but the primary color should be one of the above.  And the red we are looking for is pure red.  So stay away from anything muted or in a pinkish tone.  You'll hear more about this project in January and will get a chance to help with the sewing.  We still need more fabric so you haven't missed out if you didn't get a chance to raid your stash yet.

Until November, Happy Sewing!

August 2025 Work Day Recap

Kind of a weird weekend.  Several regulars working at the fair.  Others working on special projects home with a summer cold.  Three new people (YEAH!!).  22 at the meeting but only 10 sewing machines all weekend.  But some things never change........we had 50 items to donate!!!  Mostly quilts and some dresses.  Check out the PHOTOS page!

Due to illness, the Special Work project scheduled for this month will be available in September and October to work on if you choose.  Easter is our deadline so we'll work on it as we have time.

A Sleep in Heavenly Peace build is set for this upcoming weekend, August 16th from 9 - 11.  Please reach out if you'd like to participate.

I have results from the Riverside auction.  Our quilt donations helped them raise $2005.  Still awaiting  results from Okoboji auction. Once that comes in, will share later. 

Some upcoming reminders......

1. In September we turn our regular monthly time into our retreat.  We get an extra day to sew (Thursday) and then we don't do the normal meeting and show and tell.  You can work on your own projects but all mission supplies are available.  We won't be turning any quilts in this month, hold them until October.  Details to come with the September reminder email but be sure and put September 11, 12 and 13 on your calendar.
   
   
2. In October we will have a representative from Agape Pregnancy speaking at our meeting.  She will tell us about the agency and how they use our quilts.  Hoping we can flood her with baby quilts in October!  A good baby size is around  40 x 50.  Can use regular yardage (~44 wide) for a back and then 50 inches gives them a good wrap.  We have plenty of fun baby prints in our bins if you want to pick something out in September.

And that's a wrap!  Enjoy the rest of your summer!  Volunteer with SHP if you can, on the 16th.  Get your retreat projects ready!

July 2025 Sew Day Recap

The room was full.  All the tables in use.  A few visitors joined us.  The biggest surprise was that I was even sewing both days!  Miracles never cease

We knew Show and Tell would be fun because we skipped it in June.  You did not disappoint!  There were so many cool quilts, dresses and walker bags  to turn in.  Marty brought in 5 large bins of cut up scraps and several in the group stuffed 23 book pillows for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.   Your passion with this project is such a delight. Our work has resulted in a total of 800 pillows and over 100 quilts donated to SHP.  

We also had a generous donation of quilts from The Iowa Quilt Block that are reflected in the counts but not the pictures.  They have quilts.  We have an outlet for quilts.  Love how we work together in that way  Janet had her work cut out for her packaging, labeling and delivering 75 different items for our different service partners.  WOW

Over the past two months we've also delivered 21 quilts to Riverside and Okoboji Bible Camp Quilt Auctions.  Thanks to those who helped to prep these quilts and get them delivered.   Both auctions will be held on August 2nd.  Each has an online auction component that is fun to watch or participate in.  It starts a week or two before the 2nd.  Cheryl will be going to the Riverside auction in Story City if anyone is interested in tagging along.  Here is info about each.     Okoboji   and Riverside

May 2025 Work Day Recap

Wow, maybe you thought numbers might be low as the weather outside was just beautiful.  You know what?  We should never underestimate how important these two days are for our quilting faithful.  So great to see so many of you!  Hoping this update found you enjoying this beautiful Mother's Day.  Whether with your mom or with your kids or even your fur babies, it's been a beautiful day.  And for those of you struggling for any reason, here's a prayer that the beautiful sunshine at least put a smile on your face.

Something else that should put a smile on your face was our Show and Tell this month.  WOW,  Just...WOW! Our volunteer deliverer had her work cut out for her with the number of donations she'll be taking to Missions this week.  And on top of the quilts, there were 20 pillow cases, several book pillows, lots of walker bags and so many cute dresses.  Take a look at the PHOTOS!  How inspirational!

One more photo to share.  At our Galentine's Day gathering, we played a game and the winner got a pile of fat quarters!  The colors chosen were red, white, and black.  Michelle was one of the winners, and here is a picture of the quilt top she made with the fabric!  Very beautiful!

We heard from those who attended the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build that took place back in April.  Many of you find this way to volunteer, alongside friends, a very meaningful and fun experience.  We will continue to have more of these bed builds throughout the year, so you'll have other opportunities to join in.

One other road trip that is being considered is to go to the Riverside Bible Camp auction in August.  One faithful member goes every year, and it would be fun to join her, so look for information in the future on a trip together.  What a nice outing!

Praying for a beautiful month ahead, wherever life takes you!  And remember, God's got you, just relinquish control.

April 2025 Work Day Recap

Great turnout this month.  We welcomed a few snowbirds back and there were a few new faces.  We even had some special guests. 

We  focused on several special projects this weekend:

1. Thanks to all who helped with the special project for Easter.  We cut out 3000 3 x 8 rectangles for Hope Waukee!  They were extremely thankful for our help.  We'll hear more about this project next month.
2. A couple of ladies demonstrated how dresses were made and many members worked on them and took kits home.  We hope to have a representative from the Dress a Girl organization to speak with us at the retreat.  We have some patterns and supplies at the church and we'll continue to collect dresses if this is a project that energizes you!
3. There were 34 total Walker Bags turned in this month.  These continue to be a popular item for the Care Ministry to share with those they visit.  We received a new pattern that is a little simpler so we have started kits for these bags too.  Both patterns and kits for these bags will be available with our supplies.

Don't forget to get your projects lined up for the retreat coming on April 24, 25 and 26.  All the details are in an email the week before.

Show and Tell was fun and inspirational as always.  Photos found HERE.

Praying you can take time out to absorb the lessons during this holy week.  Jesus is Risen!

Happy Easter