Charity Quilting - April 2026 — Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild

Our program for April was on Charity Quilting. The opening questions was “Why do we quilt for others?”

Cheralee led us in a thoughtful discussion about the considerations we make when we quilt.

She asked us Do you prefer group projects or going solo?; Does having a connection to the charity affect your sewing?; Do you like strict guidelines or like to design your own projects?; When all is said and done, what is your hope for your charity project?

Members shared their thoughts about these ideas. We then reviewed our guild’s quilts over the years for the MQG Community Outreach Quilts and other donated quilts. We reviewed the various ways we have done them, from solo designed to commercial pattern, and group efforts compared to small group.

Our membership is very passionate and has a variety of approaches. While some expressed the idea that “quilts should be used,” others shared that maybe they don’t expect people to use artistic quilts, but they are harder to donate to an organization that will reap the greatest benefit.

While this could be a contentious topic for some, our members approached it in the friendly way we’ve come to expect. What came through is that no matter how we create our charity quilts, everyone is taking the job seriously and putting their best intentions and efforts into it. Our members do not cut corners.

Cheralee also brought the quilt she bought at QuiltCon, and we evaluated it on it’s own merits, and against the QuiltCon parameters. We got to see another guild’s quilt in person and really appreciate the different approach to the Medallion theme.

We’ll review the ideas members bring to the June meeting for this year’s MQG Community quilt.