Monthly Update: Great news! Some exciting developments are happening starting in February!! The Quilts to Share committee met and has a plan for steady, consistent drop in times for volunteering for QTS. Starting February 1, we will have a committee member available on site every Tuesday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm; every Wednesday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and every Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will be preparing kits during the remainder of the month of January and will have various sewing projects available to work on! Bring your own machine if you wish. We have several machines available for use as well. Or if you don't wish to sew, we have other activities to work on. Important WEATHER information: If Cedar Falls schools have cancelled school, the open sew day is cancelled.
Additionally, we have two fun activities slated for February. You are invited to attend our first annual SOUPER SEW SUNDAY on Sunday, February 8, from noon to 6:00 pm. Soup, desserts, and beverages will be provided. Work on a kit or start your own from QTS fabric stash for QTS recipients. Again, bring your own machine if you wish. Location, lower level of Crazy to Quilt in Cedar Falls.
Last but certainly not least, on Monday, February 16 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, there will be a QTS circuit fun-in. Come help with projects and learn the activities involved with making quilts for our recipients. Several stations will be set up, including a stretching area.
Sign up sheets for the two special February activities will be at the January Guild meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to attend either or both of the events, please contact me at 319-883-6136 or [email protected].
Over 4,000 quilts made to date by Keepsake Quilters Guild members. Let's make 2026 our best year yet!!! Jan Hoodjer, QTS committee chair
Quilts to Share is the volunteer portion of Keepsake Quilters. Quilts to Share makes quilts for those in need in our community. To date, Quilts to Share has donated 3,500 quilts to various organizations.
Each organization has different requirements for the quilts that are donated, but the same amount of dedication and hard work is required for each quilt. A donated quilt requires approximately 70 hours of time to complete and many different guild members take part in creating one quilt.
Hospice Quilts:
Quilts to Share has donated a total of 1,138 quilts to Cedar Valley Hospice. This includes 1,041 quilts for patients with hospice volunteers, 71 quilts for hospice home beds, and 26 quilts for families that stay overnight with hospice patients.
WWII Veterans:
To honor our still living WWII veterans Quilt to Share has been creating one of a kind patriotic lap quilts for Black Hawk County Veterans. Each quilt is personally award to our local veterans in a small ceremony that helps us to express our gratitude for those who have served to protect our freedom. Quilts to Share has awarded 141 veterans with quilts and intend to provide all of the Cedar Valley WWII veterans with quilts. Once we have met this goal we will move on to awarding those who served in the Korean War.
Assistance Needed:
Many times we are asked, "How can I help?" There are many different ways to answer this question. We are always looking for assistance in finishing these quilts. We need quilters to help with cutting the tops, piecing the tops, quilting the top (either on a long arm or domestic), and binding the quilt. Would you like to help but don't quilt? We need people to donate their time to wash and iron all of the fabric that goes into these quilts. We also are in need of monetary donations. In addition to buying the fabric, thread, and batting, there are other additional costs involved in completing the quilts.
When and Where:
Our new physical headquarters in the lower level of Crazy to Quilt quilt shop, is now open for volunteers to come! You are welcome to volunteer anytime the quilt shop is open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fri 10:00 am - 5:30 pm; Thursday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; and Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. You can check the whiteboard for tasks that are needed doing. Recently we have been focusing on sorting through completed quilt tops, making backings, cutting battings to size, and quilting. We also have a variety of projects to finish or create for selling at the auction in October. We will give a tour of the work and storage areas and provide some general information on your first visit. You may use the sewing machines provided, or feel free to bring your own. A member of the QTS transition/leadership team (Jan Hoodjer, Sheryl McGovern, Holly Boerhave, Liz Wehrmacher) will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Additionally, we have two fun activities slated for February. You are invited to attend our first annual SOUPER SEW SUNDAY on Sunday, February 8, from noon to 6:00 pm. Soup, desserts, and beverages will be provided. Work on a kit or start your own from QTS fabric stash for QTS recipients. Again, bring your own machine if you wish. Location, lower level of Crazy to Quilt in Cedar Falls.
Last but certainly not least, on Monday, February 16 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, there will be a QTS circuit fun-in. Come help with projects and learn the activities involved with making quilts for our recipients. Several stations will be set up, including a stretching area.
Sign up sheets for the two special February activities will be at the January Guild meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to attend either or both of the events, please contact me at 319-883-6136 or [email protected].
Over 4,000 quilts made to date by Keepsake Quilters Guild members. Let's make 2026 our best year yet!!! Jan Hoodjer, QTS committee chair
Quilts to Share is the volunteer portion of Keepsake Quilters. Quilts to Share makes quilts for those in need in our community. To date, Quilts to Share has donated 3,500 quilts to various organizations.
Each organization has different requirements for the quilts that are donated, but the same amount of dedication and hard work is required for each quilt. A donated quilt requires approximately 70 hours of time to complete and many different guild members take part in creating one quilt.
Hospice Quilts:
Quilts to Share has donated a total of 1,138 quilts to Cedar Valley Hospice. This includes 1,041 quilts for patients with hospice volunteers, 71 quilts for hospice home beds, and 26 quilts for families that stay overnight with hospice patients.
WWII Veterans:
To honor our still living WWII veterans Quilt to Share has been creating one of a kind patriotic lap quilts for Black Hawk County Veterans. Each quilt is personally award to our local veterans in a small ceremony that helps us to express our gratitude for those who have served to protect our freedom. Quilts to Share has awarded 141 veterans with quilts and intend to provide all of the Cedar Valley WWII veterans with quilts. Once we have met this goal we will move on to awarding those who served in the Korean War.
Assistance Needed:
Many times we are asked, "How can I help?" There are many different ways to answer this question. We are always looking for assistance in finishing these quilts. We need quilters to help with cutting the tops, piecing the tops, quilting the top (either on a long arm or domestic), and binding the quilt. Would you like to help but don't quilt? We need people to donate their time to wash and iron all of the fabric that goes into these quilts. We also are in need of monetary donations. In addition to buying the fabric, thread, and batting, there are other additional costs involved in completing the quilts.
When and Where:
Our new physical headquarters in the lower level of Crazy to Quilt quilt shop, is now open for volunteers to come! You are welcome to volunteer anytime the quilt shop is open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fri 10:00 am - 5:30 pm; Thursday 10:00 am - 8:00 pm; and Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. You can check the whiteboard for tasks that are needed doing. Recently we have been focusing on sorting through completed quilt tops, making backings, cutting battings to size, and quilting. We also have a variety of projects to finish or create for selling at the auction in October. We will give a tour of the work and storage areas and provide some general information on your first visit. You may use the sewing machines provided, or feel free to bring your own. A member of the QTS transition/leadership team (Jan Hoodjer, Sheryl McGovern, Holly Boerhave, Liz Wehrmacher) will be available to answer any questions you may have.