Just One Slab Mail

Just two weeks of mail. And that's not counting the boxes in my garage or the stuff I brought back with me from the Vancouver and Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guilds!

I've got a lot of processing to do. Just so you know, I enter every single package into a spreadsheet and label every single slab with the maker's name. That way, I can make labels for each finished quilt. Quilts need their history documented, even the donated ones.

This week is the deadline for receiving any donations. Assembly starts next week!

If you have sent a package, I'm sorry, but right now I cannot confirm if I've received it. There are just too many awesome donations to respond individually by email. Once I've caught up on processing I will post a list of donations (modified so everyone's name is not splashed all over the internet). Keep an eye on that list for your donation.

If you've responded to a post looking for a mailing address and you haven't heard from me, that's because you are a no-reply commenter and I cannot send something back to you. Please email me: mamaark AT gmail DOT com.

Just One Slab - Midpoint Collection Update

276!!


In just two weeks of email this is the stack of slabs you awesome folks have sent in. 276 slabs as of this morning, before this week's mail delivery starts.

It is impossible for me right now to email everyone to say your slab has arrived. I apologize for that, but  almost 100 envelopes have arrived. I take each parcel, open it with my girls, then fill out my big spreadsheet with names and addresses so proper a thank you can eventually be made.

I'm blown away by the generosity of many. 36 blocks made from hand dyed scraps!? So many simply gorgeous blocks made with love by all of you.

Considering that each quilt will be made with 20 or 25 blocks, we are well on our way to over a dozen quilts. And with more volunteers emerging here in Calgary to assemble and long arm the quilts I am thrilled to know so much love will be available come delivery time in September. And with the news that temporary housing for folks still displaced is delayed this makes the project even more important.

I should also acknowledge the quilt tops and finished quilts coming in. Last count had 6 complete quilts and over 30 quilt tops sent in to me for donation. Those have all been taken to the local shops coordinating the big effort.

Can't wait to see what arrives in the mail this week. My awesome mailman has taken to delivering our mail last on his route, so he can come in his car!

**** Please make sure you send me at email to get a mailing address.**** 

mamaark AT gmail DOT com 

I cannot respond to all comments here, especially if you are set to be a no-reply commenter.

Just One Slab Deadline

Wow!

Slabs are already pouring in. I had to warn my mail man about the packages when he delivered 6 the other day. I even had a highway pick-up that felt slightly illicit, but way more fun. I'm blown away by everyone's enthusiasm.

To answer a few questions:

DEADLINE - July 30, 2013.

I plan on assembling the blocks, with the help of some local friends, in early August. And Andrea has offered to long arm the quilts. Then, I assume a big binding party will happen!

Once you've squared up your block it is helpful to sew a stay stitch around the edge of the block. Just a regular stitch, about 1/8'' of an inch from the edge of the block. It helps prevent seams splitting when the block is going to get handled repeatedly before final assembly.

If you would like to donate quilt tops, completed quilts, backing, or batting I will take those donations as well and make sure they get to the organizations that will be finishing and distributing quilts here.

Thank you so much!

Just One Slab

Just a slab. One slab. Grab some scraps of fabric and sew them together.

I'm putting out a call to all my quilty friends out there. Maybe you can't spare the fabric or time or postage to send a whole quilt as we try to recover in Calgary and Southern Alberta. That's okay. But I bet you can make just one block. And the more of you that can make and send just one block, the more quilts we'll be able to donate. I will put all the blocks I get together into quilts. With an army of local long armers lined up to donate their time we will get some beds and hearts covered in no time.

Here are the basics:

Make a slab 15.5'' square. You can insert the white bit or not, that's your choice. Just aim to make your block in a single colour. Make as many as you like.

Our inspiration for these quilts is The Missing U quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts.

How do you make a slab? If you have the book, refer to the directions on pages 48-49. If you don't have the book let me summarize how to make a slab:

Take two pieces of fabric and sew them together. Do that a few more times. Then start sewing more pieces to those first pairs. Sew groups together. Add additional pieces of fabric as necessary to get up to your finished size. Start with small bits or big ones, it doesn't matter. Raid your scrap bins and go with what you've got.

Feel free to grab that top image and share it on your blogs/web-sites. Tell the world about how you made your slab. Link back to this post if you do.

When your block is done and you're ready to post it, send me a note and I will gladly send you my snail mail.

Thank-you so much for continuing to think of us here in Southern Alberta. Now that the emergency situation is behind us it is time to think about recovery. Quilts go a long way towards that.

*If you are interested in donating complete quilts or tops, make sure you check out this information.*