A team of at least 15 seasoned quilters has stitched together to sew 100 quilts for a local initiative that will house and support Ukrainian refugees.
What started for Sooke resident Mary-Ann Tennent as creating 12 quilts for prospective refugee families with fellow quilters Dolores Dowler and Bridget Ducker, quickly turned into a communal mission to produce 100 quilts.
B次元官网网址淚 was getting more upset every day,B次元官网网址� Tennent said, recalling the initial reports from the war in Ukraine.
Learning about the Ukrainian Safe Haven Association in East Sooke, a former resort being repurposed by its Ukrainian owners to accommodate as many as 100 people fleeing the war in their home country, she saw an opportunity to help.
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So, B次元官网网址渋nstead of hiding under blankets,B次元官网网址� Tennent and her husband Gary emailed fellow quilters in Sooke on March 20 to ask for donations. They specified that, while any design was great, scrap fabric styles would be B次元官网网址渆xtra lovelyB次元官网网址� because of the memories attached to them and baby, kid and comfort quilts were prime snuggling size. B次元官网网址淚 think everyone wants to help but they donB次元官网网址檛 know how,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think when you help someone else, that also helps you.B次元官网网址�
Threading the first needles alongside devoted companions Dowler and Ducker, who also reached out to their quilter circles, Tennent received 20 quilts in just two days for her new Sunflower Quilt Project.
B次元官网网址淢any hands make light work,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that itB次元官网网址檚 great whenever they find new people who can contribute.
Appealing to those who lacked the time or skill to sew their own quilts, Tennent also requested flimsies B次元官网网址� quilt tops that lack backing B次元官网网址� along with financial contributions.
With upwards of 60 quilts and eight handmade Afghans contributed so far B次元官网网址� including 18 from Tennent, Dowler and Ducker B次元官网网址� Tennent said every quilt is a warm hug. One avid quilter also approached Tennent about doing the binding, which can take at least two hours per quilt.
B次元官网网址淪he said, B次元官网网址業 like binding.B次元官网网址� I said, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檙e my new best friend,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Tennent recalled.
The project attracted quilters from outside Sooke as well, including one woman who brought two quilts on her flight from Revelstoke, after hearing about the initiative.
Originally aiming to deliver the quilts by the end of April, the quilters have extended their deadline amid delays in the refugeesB次元官网网址� arrival in East Sooke.
B次元官网网址淭hese people are leaving everything,B次元官网网址� Tennent said, adding that quilts have histories just like they do.
In an email, Sharon Holowaychuk of the Ukrainian Safe Haven Association said she and her husband Brian will receive all the beautiful quilts once they can allocate a safe place to store them on the East Sooke property. The association is eager to see its new guests.
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The ArtisanB次元官网网址檚 Garden in Sooke is serving as the drop-off spot for quilts awaiting their future Ukrainian owners.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice to be involved with this,B次元官网网址� said general manager Mackenzie Fisher, noting the gardenB次元官网网址檚 minor-yet-important role in the initiative.
Bouledogue Quilt Co., also in Sooke, is helping organize the quilts before they head to the Ukrainian Safe Haven Association.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been pretty awesome,B次元官网网址� owner Lisa Hallsworth remarked.
Two other groups have been quilting for the project, Cardinal Quilts and Otter B Quilting.
B次元官网网址淚t just warms my heart to be able to help,B次元官网网址� said Cardinal Quilts owner Bernadine Libreiro, who has contributed nine quilts herself for the cause. She added that she hopes their efforts can make the refugees B次元官网网址渇eel at home in a strange place.B次元官网网址�
Do you have a story tip? Email: evert.lindquist@blackpress.ca.
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