Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and St. Stephen Lutheran Church have been keeping busy making around 95 quilts for those in need. The quilts are being given to Orphan Grain Train, a nonprofit dedicated to collecting supplies for anyone in need.
For over thirty years Diane Kanzenbach from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has been putting in many hours and energy into this cause. She has been working on this project since its inception. Orphan Grain Train has received the quilts from this project for around the last eight years.
The quilts are made in Horicon and after they are driven to Waupun to get to Orphan Grain Train’s Wisconsin office and then the national office. Afterwards they will be shipped out for donation.
Fabric for these quilts comes from many places, some from Diane’s own collection, others from donations throughout the community. Church members, Ben Franklin Store, Ablelight Thrift Shop and a store in Campbellsport that has since shut down have all been key donors of the fabric.
“We’re grateful that even Ablelight in Horicon will give us sheets and so forth… I’m very grateful that everyone does save quilts for us so that we have material,” Kanzenbach said.
Kanzenbach is in charge of making the tops of the quilts, she enjoys this as she has a creative side. Making sure the quilts match and the fabric used blends well together is something she puts a lot of thought into.
When she makes quilts, she doesn’t cut squares like most people. She sews the whole length of the fabric together and if she needs more, she adds some to the sides to get the desired length.
After being asked how long it takes to make a quilt, Kanzenbach said, “I don’t keep track of my hours, I would think that it takes at least three, four hours.”
Outside of making the tops, she occasionally helps out with the filler and finishings. The fillers are often made out of heavier material to make sure the quilt stays warm.
But what are the fillers made out of? Kanzenbach explained, “I’m one that thinks, ‘Why throw something in a landfill? Why throw it away if it’s fabric and can be used, make it into a quilt.’”
Fabric is able to be recycled, any pieces that don’t quite fit the quilt because they are too small, don’t have the right colors or pattern or are not the proper material, can be used inside as filler. Flannel is often used as filler since it is a thicker material.
Many quilt makers stretch out the fabric with quilting frames, they just use a table for their 60 inch by 80 inch quilts. They put them on a table that is larger than their quilt and get to work. They stitch around the quilt so there are no raw edges.
Cotton and some polyester, is what they make their quilts out of. If they get fabric they can’t use, such as satin or silk, they give it directly to Orphan Grain Train. There it is used as material for clothing.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church is very pleased to help out with this project and enjoy seeing the quilts go to those who need them.
“The sanctuary at St. Stephen Lutheran Church is filled with warmth and color as quilts made by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League drape the pews. Throughout the year, these dedicated women have lovingly turned scraps and remnants of fabric into beautiful quilts that will bring comfort and warmth to those in need. The quilts will be donated through Orphan Grain Train, sharing God’s love and compassion with others, one quilt at a time,” said Lori Marschke, Administrative Assistant at St. Stephen Lutheran Church and School.
Many of the quilts stay in the United States, but some of their quilts go overseas to countries around the world. One such example of this is that their quilts went to Ukraine when the war broke out there a few years ago. They formed an action team with the sole purpose of making quilts to send to Ukraine.
In addition to making quilts, they have another project they do through Orphan Grain Train. Each year they collect school and health supplies over time to make school and health kits to give to those in need.
This project is done every year and they are looking for those wanting to help out or donate fabric. Anyone who is interested is encouraged to call St. Stephen Lutheran Church at 920-485-6687.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here