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Each year, the REQG works with the
Salvation Army to collect doll quilts that are distributed
to area children at Christmas. These quilts are square
(for easier wrapping around dolls) and vary in size
from 18 inches by 18 inches to 28 inches by 28 inches.
They are stitched by hand or machine, are pieced or
appliquéd, and are loved by the children that receive them!
Local shops and individuals donate
materials for this project or members are free to provide
their own materials. Kits can be picked up from the
Community Quilts table at guild meetings. Once
completed, the quilts are collected by the Doll Quilt
committee and stored until December when they are delivered
to the Salvation Army for distribution to the children along
with a doll or stuffed toy. In December of 2003, 300
quilts were delivered to the Salvation Army!
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REQG got involved in making quilts for
preemie babies born at local hospitals back in 1987 when one
of its members had a preemie granddaughter. The baby's
mother began making these quilts to cover the babies in
isolettes as a way of comforting babies who were too small
to be held and were separated from their parents for such a
long time. The guild decided to take this on as a
project both to help the babies and their families, and to
thank the hospital staff that was so caring to these small
patients. Both parents and hospital staff are pleased
with this program.
Preemie quilts are 14 inches square
(to fit in the isolette) and must be washable as they have
to be sterilized before they are used. Again,
materials are donated or can be provided by the member.
Kits are available at the Community Quilts table at guild
meetings. Quilts can be stitched by hand or machine,
can be pieced or appliquéd, and are often kept by the
families as a visual reminder of just how small their child
started off in life.
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In 1995, REQG established a fund at
Humboldt Area Foundation to provide grants and fellowships
to encourage interest, education, and activities in the
broad field of textile arts (examples include wearable art,
sewing, quilting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, fabric
manipulation, and dyeing). The fund is held in trust
at the Foundation and REQG periodically adds to this fund.
A three member funding committee, two guild members and one
non-guild member with a knowledge of the textile arts field,
is appointed by the REQG President and approved by the Board
of Directors.
Income from the fund can be used to:
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Cover material costs
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Provide honoraria for instructors,
curators, and artists for workshops and classes
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Support fellowships for individuals
to attend education programs related to the fiber arts
field
Applications are available to artists who reside from Sonoma
County and North to Southwestern Oregon. The deadline for
submission of an application is March 1st of each
year. They may be requested from the Humboldt Area
Foundation by calling (707) 442-2993.
Click here
to see the funds granted by year.
Additional information on the Humboldt Area Foundation can
be found by clicking on their name above. To see
information at that site specific to the REQG Fund, click
here:
REQG Fund
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