“SWEATSHOPS”

Rose Hunt, Sheila Tew, Bonnie DeCarlo, Sharon Boehm co-chair this committee ; please contact one of them for information or check our schedule below. The group is open to all members of the guild as well as guests who may want to contribute their talents toward this endeavor.

As co-chairs they handle the donations of material, batting and quilts that are given to the group as well as handle the making of quilts to distribute to an ever-growing list of deserving people and charitable organizations. This was the reason that our Community Service “Sweatshop” was developed – to share our love of quilting and to make a worthwhile contribution to our local community.

The following groups have received the bulk of our completed quilts:

National Kidney Foundation
Newborns in Need
United Methodist Church Hispanic Ministry
Children’s Advocacy Center
Adult Community Training Group Homes
Head Start in Loudon and Knox Counties
Iva’s Place Women’s Shelter
Habitat for Humanity
Branches in Madisonville

In addition to these organizations, we fill orders for auction ready quilts for several charity groups for fundraisers and help supply baby blankets for Children’s Hospital high risk units. The needs of the area are constantly being evaluated and the groups that receive donations change from time to time. As of December, 2009 the Sweatshop has distributed 1,415 quilts to deserving organizations. We have a variety of tasks for members of all skill levels.

When: 1st Monday of each month
Time: 9:00am to 12:00pm (we like to have lunch after)
Place: Chota Rec Center Quilt Room
Supplies : Cutters, rulers, scissors, sewing machines and thread

2010 Dates:
January 4
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
July 5
August
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6

PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Kid's First Stockings

Some of the sweatshop ladies got together to make stockings for Kids First. Here are some pictures of their busy workshop.

Nancy, Pat and Sheila are working away.

Santa's helpers display their stockings.

December, 2008

The sweatshop ladies of our guild created and stuffed 85 stockings for the members of Adult Community Training. They also made quilts, pillows and mattresses for 13 doll cribs that were made by the Tellico Village woodworkers group and donated to Toys for Tots.

2007—Village Quilters Celebrate 1,000 Quilts

The Village Quilters have attained an auspicious milestone – the making and distribution of 1,000+ quilts for local charitable organizations. The “plus” acknowledges the unknown number of additional quilts made but not recorded in the early days. Arliss Barber, past President of Village Quilters says, “Making these quilts is the best thing that our quilters do! They love it and just look how much we have accomplished. Our goal has been to enjoy our love of quilting and make worthwhile contributions to our community.”

The backbone for making the quilts is the Sweatshop, established in February 2004 and led by Pat Patterson and Marilyn Rambo. Pat says, “Actual counting of donated quilts did not begin until October, 2005. It finally occurred to us that we should keep records as to number and places that we support. Initially, we had about 20 people involved. Now we have 25-30 attend each session with over 75 members participating.”

Village Quilters Sweatshop meets the first and third Mondays of every month. Here quilters of all levels of skill join together to make the quilts. Five or six people work on each quilt; it is a true group effort. Pat Ziobro said, “We have our largest crowds on holidays. I think it is because of the cookies that are served!” As well as the Sweatshop, additional quilts are provided by individual members quilting at home and special projects by the various Village Quilters Quilting Bees.

This community program is supported financially, in part, by guild fund raising programs like the biennial Quilt Show.