Bristol Quilters have worked with a few Charities over the years. Raising money at our Exhibitions, donating time and items we have made to various places. Below is some information on our ongoing Charity and Volunteer work.
Support for NICU – Baby Quilts
Bristol Quilters support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southmead and St Michaels Hospital by making various items. The baby quilts are most in demand as the parent or guardian of each baby is able to choose a quilt to keep which they can take home for use later or use whilst their baby in NICU and then take home. They brighten up the ward and they are well received and a good use for members’ left over fabrics.
The Co-Ordinator for the Baby Quilts is Ruth Case and more information on how to make the quilts is available on the Members Area of the website.
Below are some photos of the Quilts that have been by our Members. Including some from Eveline Arthur who has made 500!
Choosing fabrics and making up
Fabrics need to be capable of withstanding frequent washing at 60 degrees, preferably cotton. No wadding is needed is in the baby quilts or cot covers, but recently we have been asked to add wadding to incubator covers to help deaden sound. There is a laundry room within NICU and after washing, everything is tumble dried on a hot setting. As nothing is ironed, it is worth edge stitching to keep the layers tidily together, and a few lines of stitch within the quilt also helps. Please round the corners of the quilt if you wish, but this is not necessary. The quilts are not wadded and have a Bristol Quilters label sewn on the back.
Cot quilts
Used inside the cot, over the baby, 16 inches by 20 inches 100 per cent cotton, front and back. Front and back can be any pattern and applique is also fine to use, but on the front only and well secured with stitching as it needs to withstand repeated washing. The Bristol Quilters label should be attached (available on the information desk at evening meetings or ask Ruth to send them). Again, a couple of rows of stitching up and down and side to side at intervals will keep the quilt sitting nicely flat as it will not be ironed after washing.
Christmas baby quilts
Since 2015 we have donated each year around 40 Christmas themed quilts to Southmead NICU, so that each baby in the unit over Christmas is gifted one.
Project Linus UK
Project Linus (UK) is a Community Interest Charity which is volunteer led.
We give quilts to children who are sick, disabled, disadvantaged or distressed for them to keep in hope it will bring them lasting comfort. Our tag line is “a quilt is a hug you can keep”
The Bristol and South Gloucestershire group provide quilts to Bristol Children’s Hospital, Barton Camp, Bristol Fostering Service, and at times have given them to The Green House, Next link and Safe Link, EveryFamily and Sonar.
We are pleased to accept quilts that are made from 100% cotton, preferably child friendly colours and patterns. They can be backed with either fleece or wadding plus backing fabric. The sizes we like are from 36” X 42”, 42” X 48”, or 36” square, 42” square or 48” square. Sonar, an ambulance transport service with incubators, require quilts 20” X 20”. We are also very pleased to receive donations of fabric that is 100% cotton, either fat quarters or length larger than this, and fleece and wadding with a minimum size of 36” X 36”.
We run a workshop on the second Saturday every other month starting with January and would be very pleased if you would like to join us. Or would just like to come to meet us and drop off any quilts or fabric you are donating, or we could arrange for one of us to collect if that is easier. Our workshop is held in the Fishponds area and if you would like to join us please contact us for more details, we would love to welcome you.
We have 3 area co-ordinators:
Chris Evans – linusstce@gmail.com
Judith Gardener – Linusstjg@gmail.com
Catherine Barnes – catherinebarnes1307@gmail.com phone 0117 968 1534
For more information about Project Linus(UK) please visit the website at
