In December1997, a chance remark made on the Crazy Quilt list at
Quiltropolis (a computer list dedicated to the discussion of crazy patching,
hand and machine embroidery, ribbons, lace, beads, buttons and so much more)
was taken up as a challenge. Someone suggested with all the accumulated CQ
talent on the list, we could make a raffle quilt and raise money for
charity. Instant enthusiasm bloomed for this idea. Women from all over the
world volunteered to make crazy quilt blocks for the project. But no one
volunteered to actually make the quilts. Being a relative newcomer to the
list, I hesitantly offered my services as an experienced coordinator of
raffle quilts. Two other women, Peg Carter from Spokane, Washington and Mona
Berning from Minnesota also volunteered to help.
In my eighteen-years of sane quilting, I coordinated eight group
fundraising quilts. I knew I would learn so much more about crazy quilting
if I actually saw one and touched it. To my great joy, these kind ladies
accepted me into their midst and allowed me to organize the project. We
named ourselves, The Crazy Quilt Benevolent Society.
Choosing a specific charity to donate the proceeds to proved more
difficult than approving me, a relative stranger to the group, as a
coordinator for the project. Discussions for an appropriate charity ranged
from AIDS research to different children’s charities, breast cancer research
and many others. A vote was taken and members decided breast cancer was one
of the few things women all over the world have in common, so we decided to
donate money to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.
The Crazy Quilt Conference in Omaha, Nebraska was chosen as the venue for
raffling the quilt. In appreciation for allowing us to raffle the quilt, we
volunteered to donate half the money raised to their scholarship fund. This
fund allows women who couldn’t afford to attend the Crazy Quilt Conference
to learn crazy quilting techniques for free.
We raised over $2,700 in those five years. Opening my mailbox has been an
adventure since I started this annual project. Blocks have come from as far
away as Australia, Canada, England, the Netherlands, Qatar Africa, Sri
Lanka, Israel and from all over the United States. It has been my privilege
to be a part of this project.
The woman who uttered that chance remark and started my five-year journey
into a love affair with the incredible art of crazy quilting was none other
than J. Marsha Michler, author of The Magic of Crazy Quilting. Thanks,
Marsha!
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This one is by Janet Haines of Michigan to honor her
husband's grandmother who died most likely of breast cancer. |
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Sandra Pearce of Oregon. |
As a final note, we don't really need any more volunteers from this
article for the blocks as several people are making multiple blocks and
we'll have enough. |