A few years ago, when a friend invited me along to another friend’s home to work on “Ugly Quilts,” I was taken back by the term and wondered why anyone would want to make an “ugly” quilt. I soon learned that the name represents quilts made of this and that, including old tee-shirts, curtains, bedspreads, drapes, old ties, and leftovers from quilting projects, as well as leftover batting and blankets. No textile is value-less in this project. It is a good way to recycle AND aid a homeless person at the same time. You see, these textiles are assembled and tied together to make sleeping bags, ugly enough so that they have no resale value (so they won’t be stolen to sell for money), but warm enough to shelter someone from the cold.
Even if you are not interested in assembling a quilt of this kind yourself, there are ways you can help. The obvious way is by donating money to buy the toiletries and warm socks that are stuffed within the quilt. Another is by sending old ties to the organization that can be used to “tie up” the sleeping bag during the day.
For more information, just Google “Ugly Quilts” or visit: http://www.uglyquilts.org/ or http://www.reese.org/sharon/uglypict.htm Alternately, you can start an “Ugly Quilt” group in your own community.
The homeless are the most forgotten of our society, until they become a nuisance of some kind. In my own community, last winter they hung out at the public library, dozing in the chairs, and trying to stay warm, at least during the day. Quilters are always trying to find ways to help others, and this would be a nice program idea for guilds. Quilters make neo-natal quilts for hospitals, to place over neo-natal units to block light from the sensitive eyes of newborns. They make wall quilts and bed quilts for hospital wards, and quilts to brighten nursing homes. There is always a greater “need” for quilts and there are always spots that can be brightened by the work of our needles, but let’s not forget the least powerful among us, those who are just happy to keep from freezing when the weather turns cold. “My Brother’s Keeper” program has come up with at least one solution.
God Bless!
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
