Category Archives: Charity Quilting

Children in Uganda

Thank you from Uganda

Charity Quilting

Remember our fabric fundraiser for Uganda? Early in 2021, pandemic lockdown impacted rural families dramatically. And the quilters stepped up, purchasing fabric donated by the Toomy family and donating cash that paid for food delivery in rural Uganda.

I received photos from this spring that I wanted to share with you. These families appreciated assistance as they adapted in this stressful and sad time. With little access to vaccinations, the pandemic continues to confine people to their homes and neighborhoods. Thank you for all of your support, and please contact me if you’d like to help make a difference.

Working through worry: #QuiltsforPulse

Charity Quilting, Statler Stitcher, ,

Both rooms at Laurena’s Longarm were buzzing on Sunday, July 10 for our #QuiltsforPulse afternoon. Busy quilters had five quilt tops ready for the longarm machine, and a sixth was on the frame by the end of the afternoon. Meanwhile, cutting, sewing and pressing stations buzzed with finished blocks. The group enjoyed getting to know each other, but an undercurrent of thoughtful contemplation ran solemnly through the afternoon.
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SaveJane Burnett kindly donated a wonderful selection of rainbow color fabrics which are being used in the tops, backs and bindings.
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QuiltsforPulse day at Laurena's Longarm Studio
Kendra contemplates options for a top

Laurena's Longarm Quilting Boston charity quilt day
Both the blue room and the main studio buzzed.

Laurena Longarm Quilting Boston QuiltsforPulse Day
Sue advises between stints on the quilting frame.

Laurena Longarm Quilting heart charity quilts
One of the Just Sew tops on the longarm frame

We’re on track for completing 10 quilts for the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild’s initiative.

Thanks to Liz for her fabulous photos of the day.

Charity Quilting at Laurena Longarm Burlington MA

#QuiltsforPulse Charity Day July 10

Charity Quilting,

The sock in the gut last Sunday was fierce… not another mass murder hate crime. How can we help the healing?

The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild offers one way that quilters can reach out to those impacted by the tragedy at the Pulse Night Club on June 12, 2016. The call is out for bright, happy heart quilts using rainbow colors. Want to join us? We’d like to help them out with finished quilts.

The OMQG asks that the quilts be between 48 x 60 and a twin size. Laurena is purchasing white on white fabric to back 10 quilts. She will use the fabric with the blocks on the front to capture that modern esthetic.

Would you like to help us in this effort?

On Sunday July 10 from 1 to 5pm, we’ll meet to begin assembling quilts (or who knows? Maybe there will already be tops to quilt!) here at our studio in Burlington, MA. If you’d like to attend or contribute blocks, just RSVP here

Need ideas for heart blocks? Here are some suggested by the Modern Quilt Guild

Laurena Longarm Quilting Boston Quilts for Pulse
Allison of Cluck, Cluck, Sew has a heart quilt block you could use

Laurena Longarm Quilting Boston Quilts for Pulse
Foundation pieced hearts from Sew Mama Sew’s Amy Gunsun

When there is pain, a quilt made with comforting thoughts is one way we can help.

Quilting for Comfort

Charity Quilting, , , ,

Why do we quilt? I feel like you can trace stories of our lives via the tops brought into Laurena’s. In March and April, there was an avalanche of blizzard quilts pieced during those snowy February weekends. After the Machine Quilter’s Expo in April, there was a definite comfort quilt trend. Whether T shirt, memory, or comfort quilts, these fabrics stitched together were a symbol of the care and concern for people in our lives… and for others in need.

Burlington Quilt Guild Charity Day at Laurena Longarm
Burlington Quilt Guild members in May.

Laurena is a member of the Burlington and Rising Star Quilt Guilds. She donates charity days at LLQ so the Guilds can complete more quilts. Hosting both Guilds this spring produced nice results for their charities.

Can I be honest? Laurena’s got charity quilt days down to a science. With pinning stations, quilting stations and the trimming/binding log, there’s work for everyone. Quilts unzip off the frames faster than tight jeans. After all, she doesn’t call it “Laurena’s Little Sweatshop” for nothing!

The piecing doesn’t have to be difficult. Look at how four strip “railroad ties” blocks can evolve into completely different and beautiful tops!

Burlington MA Guild creates comfort quilts at Laurena Longarm
Comfort Quilt at Laurena Longarm

Gwen is a charity quilter extraordinaire! She’s taken many a charity quilt top for Boston Modern Quilt Guild and Rising Star under her wing. Lately, Gwen’s been doing plenty of tops for the Quilts for Kids Charity Quilts. At last word we heard, there were 150 tops waiting to become quilts. They are small tops that need functional quilting. Contact the folks at Sew Together in Tewksbury if you are able to convert a top to a quilt!
A busy day of charity quilts

Gifts Ideas for Quilters for the 2014 Holidays from Laurena Longarm Quilting

What do Quilters want for Christmas?

Charity Quilting, Offers and Sales, ,

“What do quilters want,” our families may ask as the holidays approach? We love fabric, but do we need more? What we really want is time to quilt, right? May we suggest….

Holiday Gifts for Quilters at Laurena's Longarm Quilting
Swirled Christmas Tree Quilt Pattern by Frivolous Necessity is available on Craftsy.com

5 Holiday Gift Ideas for Quilters

  1. A Quilting Cruise. (We can think big!) Sew Many Places has a large range of destinations and teachers available for 2015.
  2. A Quilt Retreat. Quilting by the Lake in upstate New York always has a fabulous range of teachers lined up, if you want to think big but not that big.
  3. A Gift Certificate to Laurena’s Longarm Quilting 🙂 Use your gift certificate for any of our quilting services: Custom or edge to edge quilting.Or, rent  longarm machines or our new Charm, the sit down quilting machine. You can pay for batting, zippers, notions or the great quilt backs from Sew Batik. Thank you for your business!
  4. A Quilt Appraisal.   You may have finished a beautiful work in 2014. If something should happen, replacing it may be difficult. Appraising your work, or a vintage or heirloom quilt in your possession is something we may procrastinate. The American Quilter’s Society maintains a list of registered appraisers. What a gift that shows your family values your hard work!
  5. Peace on earth. As much as we enjoy making comfort quilts, how wonderful would it be if those drastic emergencies disappeared (or at least diminished). This has been on my holiday wish list for years.

Enjoy the season!