Having been a serious stitcher for over 20 years I have more cushions than I know what to do with, have run out of space on my walls and have celebrated every wedding, birth and Christmas by stitching for others. People have asked me why I don't sell some of my pictures, but if I have done something for myself because I like it, I can't then bear to part with it.
So I'm always looking for alternatives and people who will appreciate my sewing. Last year I came across a fantastic organisation called Love Quilts UK, its a group of volunteer stitchers who cross stitch squares for British children under the age of 19 years, who have life threatening or life-long illnesses. The cross stitch square are then patchworked into stunning quilts. Sadly there are always more children requesting the quilts than there is time to make them. Thanks to publicity in some of the cross stitching magazines over the last six months however, the ranks of stitchers and quilters has grown. In 2011 Love Quilts were able to send 46 quilts out to sick children, so far this year they have already completed 40. Gaynor and Katherine who run it are a fantasically hard working pair of ladies to whom we are exceedingly grateful.
I have two squares washed and ready to go into the post to them this weekend. You can sign up to do a specific design for a designated child - their parents are able to suggest colours or themes that they would like best.
Simba here was chosen specifically, this is for a quilt for a young boy. I think the theme here was male Disney characters.
Or if you want to stitch something without signing up you can sew a square for any child - I just liked this picture but had no one in my circle I thought it suitable for.
I find now that when I'm browsing magazines, I have Love Quilts added to my automatic list of people to sew for. There is always the thought of would that be a suitable size?
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