Quilt-Making with Christy’s Olds

In fall 2024, a school family entrusted a sizable quantity of surplus fabrics to Maggie D. The family intended the fabric to be used for hands-on projects with students and for various charitable causes. Maggie’s imagination went to work immediately. 

Inspired by pre-cut flannelette squares in that treasure trove of fabric, Maggie came up with the idea to make quilts for children who were making new homes in Canada. Maggie felt certain that they would welcome both the physical warmth and the kind gesture.

Just before breaking for the winter holiday, Maggie connected with Christy’s Olds, inviting them in as partners. These Olds were keen!

Three teams laid out the squares in attractive patterns to create designs for three quilts. At that point, the teams knew only that these quilts would be given to children.

With the designs complete, the teams pinned the three quilt tops to sheets, ready for Maggie and her sewing machine. Over the holidays, Maggie stitched the blocks together, returning in January with solid quilt tops.

Maggie and these students met over three weeks to complete the next steps. They laid out the tops, backings and quilt stuffing and secured the quilt “sandwiches” with pins. Finally, they added quilt ties to hold the layers together. In the last step, Maggie bound the edges. This happened quickly, and the quilts were finished!

During Random Acts of Kindness Week, Dorothy Patterson from ARK Outreach met with Maggie and the teams. (A registered charity, ARK provides support for local families and individuals in need.) The students were thrilled to see the quilts finished and ready for gifting. For her part, Dorothy was impressed with their accomplishment. Even more, she was excited to deliver the quilts on their behalf.

Dorothy shared a bit about the three children she had in mind. The students chose which quilt would go to which child. There were plenty of smiles in the room as the group folded up the quilts and officially wrapped up this project.

Before leaving, Dorothy reminded us that small acts of thoughtfulness give huge results in the lives of others.

…high praise to students who happily gave of their time for others. 

Maggie is familiar to current students as our librarian (and a frequent volunteer), to the Youngs as their cooking teacher, and to many alumni as their music teacher.