On Sept. 7, Durango Quilt Co. invited quilters to participate in its first open quilting session to make quilts for those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. By the third session, volunteers had completed a total of 25 quilts for people in need.
Quilters who want to chip in can make donation quilts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Thursday at Durango Quilt Co., 21516 U.S. Highway 160.
Those who live in the community, have traveled from surrounding areas in the Four Corners or happen to be passing through Durango have all participated in the donation effort.
“The turnout has been really great so far,” said store manager Carol Johnson. “We’re making quilts through the end of November, at least.”
Durango Quilt Co., Island Boutique, Quilters Dream Cotton, Windham Fabrics, Robert Kaufman, Timeless Treasurer Fabrics and community members donated fabric and thread to supply quilters with almost everything they need to make quilts at the store. To speed up production time and ensure quilts are built to last, only quality-cut cotton or flannel is accepted, and simple, “squared” designs are used. Synthetic fabrics or fabrics with a low thread count, and intricate or decorative designs, are not useful.
Volunteers sew quilt tops with materials and sewing machines at the quilt store, then send them to quilters with long-arm quilting machines, who donate their time and thread to attach the backing fabric to the quilt top. Once it is sent back to the store with a backing, the same quilter will sew a binding onto the quilt and add it to the donation pile.
Johnson said the process, from start to finish, takes about a week.
Quilts will be delivered nearly 1,000 miles southeast by quilter Mary Beth Scott, who drove all the way from Bastrop, Texas, to contribute to the donation effort. She is connected with three quilters guilds in Texas that will make sure quilts are distributed to those in need.
Although donations are currently being sent only to Texas, the store continues to search for those who are able to get the quilts to hurricane-stricken areas in Louisiana and Florida.
Full quilts can also be dropped off at Durango Quilt Co. for delivery to Texas. Donations must be in good condition, made with quality fabric and thread and have a sturdy design. Eight full quilts, in addition to the 25 produced within the last three weeks at the Quilt Co., have been donated so far.
“We’re here to help wherever we can,” Johnson said.
For more information, call 247-2582 or visit www.durangoquiltcompany.com.
fstone@durangoherald.com