Welcome to NQA!

NQ Day 2011 — Build Your Own Log Cabin

The National Quilting Association would like to encourage our members, guilds, and sponsors to join together and give their effort and energy to those who may be struggling for warmth and comfort. We have created this pattern, "Build Your Own Log Cabin," to help you help others.

Download the PDF

2010 — Let's tie one on... FOR THE TROOPS!

The National Quilting Association has designed this free pattern for your group or guild as you celebrate National Quilting Day, March 20, 2010. Let's not forget the tradition to use up what we have on hand. So with this in mind, gather up your scraps, grab all those funky yellows, bits of brown and pieces of anything. Use what you have, even if it means making a purple tree with yellow bows! Be creative!

Here are ways to give your quilt:

• VA hospitals — they would make great lap quilts.
   
• If a military base is nearby, contact the social services there to see where to give the quilts.
   
• The quilt would be a great gift to the family of a soldier serving overseas. A child might like one on the bedroom wall while waiting for Mommy or Daddy to come home.
   
• Contact local churches to see who in the congregation might be serving in the war zone and give a quilt to the family through the church. Or give it to the church to hang in their parish hall to remind everyone they have a member serving overseas.

Download the free pattern (PDF)

2009 — Welcome Home

We at The National Quilting Association thought it would be appropriate this year to devote National Quilting Day to the home. The housing market is in decline and foreclosures are on the rise, with greater numbers of homeless families to follow.

We would like to encourage our members, guilds, and sponsors to join together and give their effort and energy to those who may be struggling for warmth and comfort. We have created this pattern, "Welcome Home, to help you help others.

Download the free pattern (PDF).

2008 — Happy Birth Day, Baby!

"Happy Birth Day, Baby!" project has become an annual tradition, and you're invited to extend that tradition to your community by donating a baby quilt for the first baby born on National Quilting Day in your local hospital. Some quilters even provide two quilts - one for the first boy and one for the first girl. Guidelines are simple.

First, contact the hospital — we've found that most are eager to participate, but you need to work out arrangements with them in advance. Some quilters like to deliver the quilt to the baby's parents in person. Some even have photos taken, but hospitals all have different regulations, so you'll need to talk to them about procedures.

Before you deliver the quilt, be sure it is "baby-ready." Avoid using buttons or embellishments that could be pulled off or caught on tiny fingers and toes. Check for stray pins and loose threads. Be sure the quilt is free from dirt, pet hair, smoke, etc. — it is best to wash the quilt in unscented laundry products. (The new owner will probably appreciate printed washing instructions, too.)

The pattern we provide makes a 40" square Eight Hands Around baby quilt. Instructions are set up so they can be used as a group "mystery" service project quilt if desired. It's quick to make one for a boy and one for a girl, just by changing the border and center fabrics. Or, the center block would be a perfect place to show off your special appliqué or embroidery.

Download the free pattern (PDF).

2006 — Happy Birth Day, Baby!

All quilters were invited to join us for a special project to celebrate the 15th "birthday" of National Quilting Day — "Happy Birth Day, Baby!"

The project was to make a baby quilt, with at least one heart incorporated in the design, and donate it to their local hospital for the first baby born on National Quilting Day, March 18, 2006.

Reports and photos are still coming in for the 2006 project. It sounds like there were lots of new babies and mothers who were delighted to receive an unexpected gift on National Quilting Day. The Millennium Quilters of Clarksburg, West Virginia, presented a quilt to the first baby born at United Hospital Center, and they plan to make it an annual event! President Eleanor MacLean reports that the quilt was a collaborative effort to show their commitment to the community. A new NQA chapter, the Greater San Antonio Quilt Guild, delivered 13 quilts to 11 different hospitals around San Antonio, Texas. Ruth Felty reports that the group was excited about the project and really enjoyed making the quilts. Betty Dobberpuhl reported that the Aberdeen Area Quilt Guild delivered their quilt to Avera St. Lukes in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The Rangitikei Country Quilters in Marton, New Zealand, participated in our NQD project again this year, making it International Quilting Day! Georgina Greenwood reported that the local midwife, who also belongs to the group, alerted them to the birth of "their" baby. The whole family was pleased to receive a quilt for their new baby.