Our Hard Working Quilters

This year our St. Peter quilters made 78 quilts that warm both the heart and the body..  They literally "filled the church"

A BIG thank you for all their hard work for the comfort of others!!!

Click on pictures for larger view

The Barn Again Quilt.  The year we donated it, it sold for $3,500, I think. The woman who bought it is the one who donated land from her farm on which Joy Ranch is being built.  She kept it a year, then brought it back to the auction, and it was re-sold for over $1,500, or so (I don't have the exact figures) and this has been repeated each year, until this quilt has raised around $6,000 for Lutherans Outdoors, to help get the camp ready for occupancy.  This camp, near Watertown, will be available to disabled groups as well as Lutheran kids and adults for camping experiences.  You must remember that people go to this auction to donate money, and they do it by paying exorbitant amounts for quilts which have been made and donated by Lutheran Women throughout the state of SD.  It is their primary fund raiser, and surely a good cause, as Bible Camp is so great for our kids; I know adults who believe that their camp experience was the main source of their faith today.

Here's a little more information provided by one of our "quilters"
In the past we got together once a month at the church for an all day session of assembling and tying quilts.  Now we do it each week, on Thursday afternoon, at the dining room in the High Rise, from 1-3PM.  This is where the mission quilts are assembled, and we produce just as many quilts in this way as we did before.  They are made from blocks cut from fabric or garments donated by church members, sewn at home by anyone we can talk into doing it, and on Thursday we put them together and tie them.  They are lined with old sheet blankets (and we are always in need of those) or, if we have money to spend, batting.  We are a small group; just three women from St. Peter and three friends who live or work at the High Rise.  We have a lot of fun, and usually end the session with a cookie and coffee session.  Most of those quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief and eventually go to people in disaster areas who have requested them:  earthquakes, floods, refugee camps and so on.  We like to do that because we can get them there without paying postage by taking them to Parker Transfer in Sioux Falls who then transports them to Minneapolis to the LWR depot.  Some we save to give to local people in need after a fire or illness (please tell us if you know someone who needs one of those).  We also try to present each St. Peter High School Graduate with a hand made quilt.  We think of them as 'ugly quilts', because the purpose is utilitarian rather than beauty.  Our goals are; to make 'global warming' a reality (provide shelter and warmth to everyone in the world who needs it) and also to clear the donated supplies from the church basement.
      The Lutheran Outdoors quilt is a different story;  it requires more planning and precision, as an ugly quilt won't bring much money.  We have provided a quilt for the LO Quilt auction (held statewide in August each  year), and have been quite successful in our donations.  There are about six women working on this project.  We choose a pattern, and each of us sews the blocks, then we get together and assemble them, get it quilted professionally, and send it off.  This year I donated two quilts I had made because we did not have the opportunity to do it together;  "Nothing goes to Waste" was made of selvedge edges of fabric saved by all our women and was rather unique; it brought $250 at the auction;  and a "red hat" lap robe and pillow, which brought $150.  That money is used to support Lutheran Outdoors camping ministry; currently working to fix up buildings etc at Joy Ranch near Watertown.
       On Nov. 14 we will be dedicating a group of small lap robe/cot quilts in patriotic colors to send to Operation First Response in Virginia; a rehab center for wounded veterans.  This in an ecumeical project; Center Lutheran, Trinity, Our Saviors in Madison and Wentworth, St. Thomas, First Baptist and other individuals and groups all contribute quilts to it.  Last year we sent 107quilts to this worthy project.  No matter what your religion or politcial beliefs, we all are grateful to the soldiers for their service and effort to keep our country free!  Stop by the VFW that afternoon to have a look, take some pics and donate free will for postage.
      We always welcome donations of fabric and supplies, but what we really need is workers!  It is not really a skilled job; all you need to know is how to tie a knot and put in a pin.  Karen Hansen comes and sews around them, I do most of the tops at home, but we could sure use some help making the tops if people have time to sew.  It is a good way to fill in some spare time, very rewarding, we think.