|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
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:
-
Cover
material costs
-
Provide honoraria for instructors, curators, and artists
for workshops and classes
-
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
|