Quilts for Nova Scotia

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The world is still grappling with the impacts of a global pandemic, and Nova Scotia will be forever changed by the events of April 18 and 19, 2020.

It was our honour and pleasure to receive hundreds of finished quilts, and to partner with local services in the Truro region to distribute these treasured items. No words could suffice to thank all involved. 

This article by Carla Allen of the Saltwire Network describes the endeavour. 

 In order to show love and support to the victims’ families and first responders from the recent tragedy in our province, the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild in Halifax, Nova Scotia is collecting quilts to be distributed. As makers we turn to making not only to provide comfort to others, but also to process our own emotions, to work through grief, to help ourselves to heal. We invite you to join us in this journey. 

We are suggesting Nova Scotia blue and white themed quilts - throw to twin sizes.  There are no required patterns for making your quilts, however we do have some suggestions:

•  Blue and white themes are preferred, symbolic of our Nova Scotia flag. 
•  We thankfully request completed quilts only. We encourage you to find a group of quilters you can work with at a distance to complete a finished quilt. Suggestions to accomplish this are also included in the attached physical distancing practices.  
• Please label your quilts with the following information: 
  • Quilts for Nova Scotia
  • Your City/Province
  • Your Name/Guild (optional)
  • 2020
•  Please respect your local physical distancing and other public health policies while collaborating on your quilts. A list of suggestions is outlined in a separate PDF below.
•  Due to COVID 19, postal services across some national borders are closed to non-essential mail.  If you are located outside of Canada, we may not be able to receive your parcel for the foreseeable future.  If you would like to contribute in other ways, please consider a donation.   The official fund we recommend you donate to is the Stronger Together Nova Scotia Fund set up by the Canadian Red Cross and Nova Scotia Government.
• All quilts should be received by the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild no later than the end of June 2020.
• Please share your work on social media platforms using #QuiltsforNS and tag the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild (IG: @_maritimemqg) so we can follow and share your progress.
• If you plan to make a quilt please let us know by dropping a message to MaritimeMQG@gmail.com in order for us to have an idea of how many quilts to expect. We can then coordinate together to arrange to receive your quilt.

 Here are some links to recommended quilt patterns and some local quilt shops. We want to contribute to small businesses during these tough times as well. 

•  Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop in Halifax, NS has a blog post with some design ideas.  
•  The Fabric Addict, Lethbridge, AB – Karen is originally from the South Shore of NS and  has designed a quilt pattern called a Nova Scotia Hug that she will provide electronically free of charge. Click here for the pattern. 
•  Quilts by the Bay will be selling kits to make the Nova Scotia Hug pattern. Debra Howard, proprietor, tells me that she does most of her business through her Facebook page, so have a look. As well, Debra has agreed to be a drop off spot for quilts. Her shop is located at Quilts by the Bay, 8779 Hwy. 101, Brighton, Digby NS, B0V 1A0. 
•  Local icon of quilting and sewing, Patch Halifax are accepting online, telephone, and email orders for curbside pickup. 
•  More drop off locations will be announced soon. We will also let you all know when we have enough quilts so that we do not waste anyone’s time or money.  

Thank you in advance for your support of this endeavor. We know that the impacts of this tragedy are deep and far reaching but we hope these quilts will bring a little comfort to the families of the victims.