History Of Quilt Quest

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HISTORY OF QUILTQUEST

QuiltQuest is a children's art activity of the Red River Revel. Launched in 2002, QuiltQuest is a joint project of the Red River Quilters Guild and the Red River Revel to provide approximately 7,500 area fourth-grade students in Caddo and Bossier Parishes an opportunity for creative expression by drawing a picture that they think would bring cheer to a sick child. The children use fabric markers to draw onto a six-inch square of plain, white muslin fabric. Members of the Red River Quilters Guild then incorporate the artful squares into approximately 500 colorful quilts for children in area hospitals and care facilities.

In 2005, QuiltQuest enters its fourth year and has become a favorite activity of students, teachers, parents, and volunteers. QuiltQuest encourages creativity and teaches the children about caring for others. The project is a success at every level: individuals, organizations and manufacturers provide fabric and supplies (the guild purchases or accepts donations of hundreds of yards of fabric each year). Volunteers spend hours washing, pressing and cutting the fabric and additional time is donated to sew the quilts together and assist at the site. The students enjoy the opportunity to use their imaginations, and learn that they can help others. The project is carefully planned, months ahead of time.

Red River Quilters accepts donations toward its community service projects. Donations of fabric, discounts from retailers and contributions are major sources for sustaining the project. In 2004, Red River Quilters received a $1,075 grant from The National Quilting Association for purchase of fabric and supplies and the grant has been renewed for 2005. QuiltQuest has also received donations of fabric from manufacturers, including P&B Textiles in Tyler, Texas. Area fabric stores and retailers donate or provide fabric and supplies at cost. If you buy fabric in our area, your retailer has supported QuiltQuest.

In 2004, QuiltQuest gained the support of golf and quilting celebrities - Hal Sutton, David Toms, Alex Anderson, Carol Doak, Nancy Zieman, Kaye Wood and others - who provided their autographs, signed directly onto fabric squares. Their autographs were then made into a variety of quilted items which were sold to raise funds for QuiltQuest.

All members are invited to participate in any aspect of QuiltQuest. It's a year-round project so there's something for everyone, from providing fabric or supplies, cutting, sewing squares, making quilt kits, distributing the quilts and more.

Special thanks to Linda McGehee and all the Red River Quilters Guild members who selfishly provide their time, fabric and equipment.

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