Quilting for a cause keeps Winnipeg women busy this weekend

WINNIPEG — CancerCare, Manitoba and Children’s Hospital will be receiving a batch of gifts from a group of hard working committed Winnipeg women.

Crescentwood Quilters got together Saturday to sew. But, not just any other day of sewing for these women. Not a gift for their children and grandchildren. Rather, a gift for some well deserving strangers.

The group recently lost a fellow quilting mate, Arelene Crabbe. Her friends describe her as an avid quilter, a good friend, but most of all a kind and giving human being.

“She was the greatest person in the world, she deserves something like this,” said one friend.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She was the greatest person in the world, she deserves something like this," said one friend.

And it is in the name of her giving spirit the women decided to get together and make quilts and pillow cases with Arlene’s left over fabric for CancerCare patients and people staying long term at Children’s Hospital.

The women explained that while there are many blankets in hospitals, there isn’t always that personal touch when you need it most. So, they felt quilts, with a little piece of their friend, gone too soon, would help patients feel a little more loved and a lot more comfortable in Arlene’s honour.

The Co-ordinator for Quilting Philanthropy project said the Crafted Show and Sale at Winnipeg Art Gallery partnered with the local quilting group to do a philanthropic project that makes a difference.

“We arrived at a project that would be necessary and used as quilts for teens. They’re often in the gap and people don’t know what to do for teens as patients,” said Val Pankratz, the Co-ordinator for Quilting Philanthropy Project.

On October 28th and 29th, the quilts will be on display at the Winnipeg Art Gallery before being donated. The goal is to make enough quilts to wallpaper the entire entrance of the art gallery.