There are many caring and compassionate women in the Thames Valley Quilters Guild. One of them is Marlene Stewart. Marlene makes sleeping bags and sleeping mats for the homeless who are cared for by The Unity Project here in London. Today Marlene shared the methodology for making these with the guild.
When the homeless decide to sleep, they continue to wear their coats and boots so these bags must be larger than normal, 7 feet long and very wide. They are utility quilts made from clean, used, no-cost fabrics.
Marlene also makes sleeping mats. These are 6 foot 6 inches long with rows of 6 inch pockets stuffed with quilting scraps. A 1 inch space is sewn between each of these pockets.
People give Marlene fabric yardage which can be used for the outer layer of these projects. Waterproof fabric is especially welcome. Sometimes Marlene goes to retailers like Lens Mills where she can find a bargain and buy a whole bolt for a great price. The quilters in our guild and their friends contribute bags of fabric and batting scraps to be used in the stuffing.
Marlene’s involvement in this project began when she had an appointment to meet someone at The Unity Project office and witnessed a young girl sleeping on the floor with only a sheet. The sight touched her deeply and to date Marlene has now finished 53 sleeping bags and 73 sleeping mats.
Thank you for taking this on Marlene and inspiring us with your energy and generosity. To find the pattern for the sleeping bag, go here.
When the homeless decide to sleep, they continue to wear their coats and boots so these bags must be larger than normal, 7 feet long and very wide. They are utility quilts made from clean, used, no-cost fabrics.
Marlene also makes sleeping mats. These are 6 foot 6 inches long with rows of 6 inch pockets stuffed with quilting scraps. A 1 inch space is sewn between each of these pockets.
People give Marlene fabric yardage which can be used for the outer layer of these projects. Waterproof fabric is especially welcome. Sometimes Marlene goes to retailers like Lens Mills where she can find a bargain and buy a whole bolt for a great price. The quilters in our guild and their friends contribute bags of fabric and batting scraps to be used in the stuffing.
Marlene’s involvement in this project began when she had an appointment to meet someone at The Unity Project office and witnessed a young girl sleeping on the floor with only a sheet. The sight touched her deeply and to date Marlene has now finished 53 sleeping bags and 73 sleeping mats.
Thank you for taking this on Marlene and inspiring us with your energy and generosity. To find the pattern for the sleeping bag, go here.
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