Dear quilting friends,
You may be aware that New Zealand has suffered a major mining disaster at Pike River mine on the west coast of the South Island, resulting in the deaths of 29 miners. Many of these miners had young families. One was soon to be a father. Like many New Zealanders, I am sharing the pain of the families of the miners. And like many, I have thought about what I could do to help.
I am part of Kiwiquilters, an email group for New Zealand quilters. We have a tradition, as do other quilting groups, of making Healing Hearts quilts for members and their families or friends who are suffering personal tragedy or serious illness. I have asked the group, and other quilting groups around the country, to contribute heart blocks to make into quilts for the miner’s families, and I will assemble and co-ordinate these.
Please consider making a block or several blocks for this cause. It doesn't matter that you don't know the people involved - neither do I. The love and support from strangers that is embodied in these quilts is something tangible that the families can get comfort from for years.
Here are the block details if you want to make some:-
- - Cream background – calico is fine
- - 6 ½” unfinished size (so they will be 6” finished)
- - Pieced or appliquéd heart or hearts
- - Any colours or patterns for the hearts. Some of the quilts will be for children, so children’s fabrics are fine too.
Please send to me at the address below. Thank you so much.
Shirley Goodwin51 Charles St
Rangiora 7400
New Zealand
79 comments:
Thank you, Shirley for taking this on and for giving me something I can do. I've published links to you on my blogs - I hope this is ok.
Hi Shirley,
I will bring this idea to the attention of my P & Q group in Tauranga tomorrow when we meet.
Let me know if I can help further with this in any way.
Hugs Ali.
Shirley I have also posted a link on my blog hoping you don't mind.
Hi Shirley
I too have posted a link on my blog.
We have a guild meeting on Tuesday and will mention it to the members.
Take Care
Annette
Thats a great idea Shirley. Will see if I can manage a square or two, plus would like to contribute towards the cost of getting the quilts to the families with a donation. I'm away in the North Island for next few days but will contact you after that.I've felt very sad these last few days as the tragedy has unfolded.
Hi Shirley. We here in Australia are feeling the pain of your loss as well. I will let all of my friends on the craft forum know about this. Will try and get some done and sent to you. We already do this on our forum, and send to other members for various reasons. This is a practical way of showing love and support for someone else. I wish you well with this. Hugs from sandy in Newcastle.
I'll be sending some hearts to you as well, and will do my best to get others to do the same. I have been so saddened by this loss, and feel for the families and loved ones of the miners. I sincerely hope that the miners didn't suffer when this terrible tragedy struck them.
Catherine
Hi Shirley,
My local quilting group here in Brisbane in Aussie meets each Monday and I would like to bring this project up with them on Monday. As this will be our last meeting until Mid January is that going to be too late to get the blocks to you? When do you anticipate putting the tops together? I think it's a lovely offer you have made and would like to support you by sending blocks. What size quilts do you anticipate making? Our group, like most quilting groups, does quite a bit of charity work but I'm sure they would like to participate in this project too. We actually have a few Kiwis in our group too.
Cheers,
Margaret
Sorry Shirley, one more question. Here in Oz we write our name and where we come from on the front of the square - do you want us to do that?
Cheers,
Margaret
What a great idea. Iam more than happy to contribute. Have you got a cut off date for receiving the blocks.
Elizabeth
Thanks everyone. You can put your names etc on the blocks if you wish but it's not essential.
I just need these blocks ASAP as I want to get at least the children's quilts to them by Xmas.
What a lovely idea. I'd love to help. Will be sending some hearts from Western Australia as soon as I can.
I have cut out 29 squares, sorting through fabrics will try get them to you ASAP.
Anne in Western Australia
Shirley, I've just finished making a quilt for a terminal friend, made with blocks from amazing women around the world and I would be honoured to make some for you. I'll also post a link on my blog..
Lizzie
xxx
Hi Shirley,
What a wonderful idea.
I will make some healing hearts for you and get them to you ASSP.
Do you what me to put a link on my blog?
http://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com.
On the way Shirley.
I'm pleased to help.
hi shirley,
i found my way to your blog via lizzie.
nor do i know any of the people involved, but my heart still aches for them. it would be my pleasure to contribute some blocks, and if needed, help in any other way. do you have a specific time frame in which you'd like to have all the blocks received?
julie :)
Shirley, Lizzie from A House in the Country, put your request on her blog. I am sure many of her readers will respond. I live at Toogoom and go to church in Howard where the older of the 2 Aussies, Willie Joynson came from, so he was well known there. We are all brothers and sisters under the skin, especially in a time of disaster, and I and probably many others will make a heart block, probably many more. God bless you for having such a good heart to want to do this.
Hi Shirley,
Will try to organise a sewing day where we cna do hearts and put some tops together. What size should the tops be?
Karen in Brisbane
Hi Shirley,
Your call has been heard from a fellow Squilter from Western Aust.
I will make up a few tops and post them off as soon as possible. Such a sad a terrible time over your way.
Susanawee
Hi Shirley. I saw details of your appeal on Squilters tonight. I have put a post on my blogs directed to your post...I hope this is OK. I don't get all that many hits but you never know it may help. I have also emailed the co-ordinators of my sewing group and asked that members make hearts to be posted across to you as a group. I hope you get a huge response...
This tragedy has touched so many hearts .... what you're doing is wonderful and I'd love to donate some blocks. I'll get onto it right away.
Hugs,
Joy :o)
I'll definitely send you a block. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families here - in the other mining end of the world.
I heart about you on Lizzie's blog. I'll make one this weekend.
Greetings from France (where were you in France,)
I am on quilting retreat from today, so will give this info to the girls, but I will definitely be sending some. My DH works in a high risk industry as well. I pray everyday for his safe return. Thank you for organising this.
Hi Shirley......such a sad time....I will pass this info onto our quilting group...I will also do a post on my blog...
My friend out there in North Island has sent me your request. I live in the uk , we were all devastated at the tragic news. Will get the blocks out as soon as possible.
Awesome idea - have put the call out on facebook and will be putting some blocks together too.
-Michelle
Wonderful idea Shirley, I think the world quilting community will rally behind this sad cause.
So sad Shirley...I will make and send some hearts..
My heart goes out to the families.
Julia ♥
Hi Shirley
I was referred to your blog by Lisa from Lydia's Treasures (a 'real life' friend of mine)
I recently took on the job of doing Quilts for Christchurch's Children. 25 quilt tops later it is time for me to pass the torch on .. .. .. I have many many blocks still to be turned into quilts which I am able to send to you immediately including children's fabric. They are, however, not hearts. Are they of any use to you?
Cat
Hi Shirley
I have posted about this on my blog for you, with a link to yours.
Big quilty hugs to you all in NZ.
there will be some Aussie love coming your way shortly
xx
I will do my best to pass on to my patchwork pals in Ireland!xxx
Will get the word out immediately. Will post to you ASAP.
Thank you for doing this.... I will be Hearting today! Will send the blocks to you asap!!!
A lovely idea!
I have pulled some childrens fabrics and found a heart template...will make a start this weekend and make some more at patchwork next Wednesday.
Hi Shirley! This is Marissa from Mexico. We´ve been spreading the word of this wonderful idea. A Facebook quilter pal asked me where to put the name of our country as we have told to add it. Can it be on the block or on a small card apart?
Thanks!
Marissa
:)
Thank you Shirley for organising this. Lots of hearts coming you way soon
Kez
I've made a heart and hope to send to you next week. I'm also writing a blogpost about it for tomorrow.
Cheers
Munaiba
Great and practical idea Shirley. Have spread the word on my facebook page.
Roslyn (Singapore - previously NZ)
I've made 5 blocks today and will post them off tomorrow.
What a wonderful idea. And what a huge job you have ahead of yu. Iw ill snd as many as I can and spread the word as well to my quilting friends
hi just by chance came across this link on facebook. I live in Wales, uk and have been watching the tragedy on tv. I'm not part of any group but would love to send you some heart blocks. Will get my little girl, Emily who's 4 to help. good luck all. xx
Hi Shirley,
What a wonderful idea. I am pleased to be able to help in some small way, even if it is just a heart or two. I only discovered your blog this morning while blog-hopping and went straight out to purchase some vlisofix and fabric, then called my Aunt to get onto it as well.
I would like to say a huge Thank You for allowing anybody (like me) the opportunity to contribute.
Thanks again and all the very best.
This is such a beautiful idea.. I have linked you on my blog, hope you don't mind.
Thank you so much for organising this. Please count me in. I will be making them ASAP for you. I will also post on my blog if you don't mind.
Shirley,
Count me in too, sent you and email with a link for a free pattern. Hope this helps. My blocks are on the way.
Hugs to all,
Bobbie
www.bobbieashley.com
Count me in too .... I'll post my blocks early next week and post your link on my blog.
HI Shirley, thank you for doing this for these poor families! I am not a full time quilter, but would like to make a few hearts as a way of contributing to your very kind gesture on our behalf!
What a lovely idea. I've shared your link with a few of my quilty friends as well.
Will be sending one tomorrow from South Africa, but the post is slow so hope you recieve it on time.
This is a wonderful idea and I would love to be involved, being a Kiwi born and bred although I've been living in Perth in Western Australia for over 43 years. I was so distressed as each day brought more and more concern for those poor miners and their families, I can't begin to think how they're coping with their loss right now.
I shall get some blocks together and zap them over to you asap.
Many thanks for what you're doing Shirley!
Hugs, Josephine
Just read this - have spread the word and will get some hearts out to you within a couple of days! Blessings, Peg
This is just heart breaking for the families and loved ones. I will be sending blocks to you in the next few days too Shirley and posting about your request on my blog too.
Hugs Khris in South Australia
I heard about the miners. I am so sorry and sad this has happened so many times. I will be sending some, I am not sure, right away. Sewing machine is up. I will put it on my blog too. I don't belong to a quilting group but glad to help.
QMM
Hi Shirley I will be making some right away, Thanks for doing this.
My heart goes out to all the families.
XX
I put a parcel of blocks in the mail to you on Monday hope they arrive safely. Best wishes with your efforts.
Judy in Geelong
I posted this to my blog today...I am hoping some of my freinds can help you out as will I...is therEa deadline for the blocks I live in the States...great casue...
Shirley - a parcel of blocks will be in the mail today from Canada - I posted a link on my blog. Blessings, Peg
Hi Shirley,
I will email you too, but I have just posted 6 blocks to you, children's prints.
I have a few more people doing them too now.
Cheers
Shaaryn, Brisbane
Hi Shirley
I have 29 blocks ready to go tomoro. You are just awesome organising this project. Kerrie B
What is your deadline Shirley? I live in the states and I think it takes about 10 days or so to get there.
What is the deadline? I live in America and would like to participate if it's not too late. I couldn't make one last week because of previous commitments.
Mine are done and in an envelope and will be posted tomorrow. They may not be perfect (yes I sometimes self-doubt) BUT are done from the heart
Hi Shirley, as a Kiwi from Nelson living in Perth, Western Australa the news every day was heartbreaking. I will get on to some, ost a link on Facebook & ask my quilt group on Thursday. Can't wait to be home in 2 weeks! Tracee xx
made and will be sent today.
Thank you Shirley - you are doing so much good in a difficult time...
Posting our blocks tomorrow, Shirley. We live in Charters Towers, Josh Ufer's home town.
Thanks for organising this! Bless you,
Jenny & Blossom
Hallo Shirley,
I did put the message on my blog just a few hours ago abd already did get positive respons from quiltsters from Holland and Belgium! So you will receive blocks from them too, mine are already on their way! Lots of succes, greetings
Lida
Hello Shirley. This is a very good idea!!I will join it.
Chris Jones, The Netherlands
Hello Shirley, I like your idea. I will put a message on my blog.
Hi Shirley, I have put a logo on my blog and sent three hearts today. Thank you for organising this wonderful project.
Awesome. I wasn't able to attend my guild's meeting last night but just rec'd an email from them telling me about your project. You'll be receiving a bunch of blocks from sunny Southern California.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful project!
thank you shirley for allowing us all to tkae part. have sent 8 blocks off in the mail.. All sent with love from Outback Queensland...thank you... was a pleasure to take part....
Hello Shirley,
is it possible for me (from Germany) to send you one of this blog?
Lovely Greetings
Mimi
Hello, Shirley!
My name is Vanessa from brazilian and this is my one time visit here. I love quilt and patch applique. Pay a visit to my blog too. God bless you!!!
http://arteiraeprendada.blogspot.com
Hello Shirley,
I posted my 5 harts to you yesterday.
I hope you'll make very nice quilts with all of them.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year,
Willeke
the Netherlands
What a fantastic idea, Shirley. I will watch out for the news tonight!
Good on you.
Jacqui Knight
3 Morpeth Place, Blockhouse Bay
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