As we look back over the past twelve months, we’re simply amazed! We were touched by the love from our followers, the support of our customers, the kind hearts of each and every one of our hardworking team members, and the selflessness within the quilting community. Despite this challenging year, we’ve been able to accomplish so much together.
Thanks to you, Missouri Star is celebrating yet another great year of quilting! It’s been filled with inspiring stories from quilters all around the world, brand new products created with you in mind, exciting tutorials that have inspired many, and some unforgettable, first-ever online events!
Let’s celebrate the end of 2020 by looking back on some of the good things that happened this year:
FACE MASKS
Wow, quilters! Thanks to your passion for sewing and your big hearts, you were able to play an important part in the fight against a global pandemic. Since March 1st of 2020 – 56,973 of you have purchased fabric from Missouri Star specifically to create masks to help keep your communities safe! That is amazing – thank you!
In the comments below, tell us about all the ways you were able to help your community this year! Here’s what we did for ours:
Close to 6,500 yards of fabric has been donated to area groups and non-profit organizations who are making masks for healthcare workers
We have donated 350 N95 masks to the local regional hospital and 2 local businesses who provide food delivery and cleaning services for our community
We provided tutorials for creating masks to keep you safe
TOP TUTORIALS
MORNING STAR
Jenny Doan demonstrates how to make a beautiful Morning Star quilt using 2.5″ strips of precut fabric (jelly rolls). This pretty star pattern was designed by Tara Faughnan for ModBLOCK. It’s an easier version of the old block known as Morning Star, Lone Star, or Star of the East.
Jenny teaches us how to make an easy version of the classic Carpenter Star using 10″ squares of precut fabric (layer cakes). This traditional quilt is often made with squares and diamonds, but Jenny uses half square triangles because they’re so quick and easy and don’t require y-seams!
We introduced a brand new tutorial series by Jenny’s daughter, Natalie, that’s a fresh take on finishing quilts. Follow along with her and get beautiful results every time!
This year, the BLOCK team released a brand new design to BLOCK Magazine. New cover look, more educational content, more stories from our readers, and more!
DIGITAL BLOCK
Each issue of BLOCK comes with an interactive digital version! It’s kind of hard to wait for each issue to arrive, so we wanted to give you an early treat.
We recently released our first-ever special edition of BLOCK Magazine. It’s a compilation of the last seven years with 25 of our favorite patterns and over 200 pages of quilt-y fun!
This year we introduced two new sew-alongs to make quilting easier than ever. As you follow along, month by month or piece by piece, your quilt will take shape! By the end, you’ll have a lovely quilt that’s handmade by you!
Inspired by her children’s love for the outdoors and their adventurous personalities, Misty created a gorgeous quilt designed with them in mind! Get the pattern and join her Facebook group >
BIRTHDAY BASH – AT HOME
This year we celebrated Birthday Bash like never before! Thank you for stitching along with us for 12 wonderful years and joining the party from the comfort of home. It was an experience we’ll never forget! Relive the Best Moments >
DONATIONS
Thanks to your support, we were able to donate $10,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation! All through October, we fought breast cancer one stitch at a time by shopping pink! Learn more >
Project Linus is an organization that provides love, security, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or are just simply in need of a handmade blanket. As one of the many ways we’re trying to spread kindness this year, we chose Project Linus to receive a $5,000 donation from us at Missouri Star. Learn more >
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO MAKES THESE DONATIONS POSSIBLE!
GIVE LOVE
You are one of our biggest sources of inspiration! Although it’s been a tough year for many, you continue to show optimism and spread joy through all the kind things you do.
“I’m 11 years old. My Grandma taught me to sew. This is my very first quilt! I used 10 squares. I had it quilted at Missouri Star. I Love my Grandma! It was the best day. Ever. (It was my idea to have her embroider a Secret Santa for people to find.)” – the grandson of Laurie S.
“For several years now I have been donating quilts to the Linus Project. I get to be very creative and I try to think about the kids that will receive a quilt and make them more than just something to snuggle under… I average about 10 quilts a year.” – Wendy G.
“We are a small group of ladies that support needs of nursing homes… We have made over 60 fidget pads, over 30 clothing protectors, over 20 baby dolls with blankets, crocheted over 40 caps, covered over 40 Small pillows, for wheel chairs, 100s of masks… Love these ladies and their servant hearts!” – Nancy D.
“I volunteer with the “Helping Hands” sewing group my church. We make various items from donated fabric and yarn… lap quilts for first responders to give to children in trauma situations, bed quilts and kitchen goods for our missionary families, quilts for orphanages, and window curtains for loft houses our church builds for homeless families.” – Cindy M.
Quilters, thank you for being an inspiration to us and the world. We look forward to seeing all the great things you’ll continue to do in the new year!
When you give a quilt, you’re giving so much more than a simple present. A quilt is a gift of time, a gift of patience, a gift straight from the heart with love in every stitch! There are so many wonderful charitable organizations that welcome handmade quilts with open arms. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give love, we’re here to help you find a place to send your beautiful quilts, fabric, supplies, and donations. Thank you so much for everything you do! Together we can change the world one stitch at a time.
How We’re Giving Back
This year, Missouri Star has chosen Project Linus to receive a $5,000 donation. Project Linus provides love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” Learn more at www.projectlinus.org
Find a Place to Donate Your Quilts Below is a list of organizations that could use your help and sewing skills! You can give finished quilts, fabric, supplies, monetary donations, and more. Click on each link to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to make a difference.
Quilts for Children in Need
Babies in Need Every baby deserves to be safe, warm, fed, protected and loved! Babies in Need works with local social workers to ensure that every newborn in Southwest Washington has essential clothing, bedding and car seats. Our gift packs provide these and other items parents need during their baby’s first three months of life. babiesinneed.org
The Cradle The Cradle is one of the foremost adoption agencies in the country. They provide lifelong support for all who are touched by adoption—birth parents, adopted persons, and adoptive parents. The Cradle is committed to finding a loving home for every child entrusted to their care. www.cradle.org
Komfort 4 Kids The Komfort 4 Kids Project is a completely volunteer-based, non-profit group that relies on the support and generosity of the community to help make a difference in children’s lives. They coordinate the collection and distribution of new, handmade blankets to organisations that deal with sick, traumatised, or needy children in Australia. www.komfort4kidsproject.websyte.com.au/
Little Lambs Foundation for Kids The Little Lambs Foundation for Kids has a mission to uplift struggling families and foster youth by providing necessary items that no child should have to go without. www.littlelambsofutah.org
Newborns in Need Newborns in Need, Inc. is a charity organized to help take care of needy babies. NIN volunteers provide care necessities to agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns. Newborns In Need distributes items free of charge to babies in the United States. newbornsinneed.org/volunteer/
Quilts Beyond Borders Quilts Beyond Borders is an all-volunteer non-profit organization which reaches out to under-served children, mainly orphans, across the world to provide a handmade quilt and spread love and hope. quiltsbeyondborders.wordpress.com/about/
Quilts for Kids Quilts for Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming fabrics into patchwork quilts to comfort children facing serious illness, trauma, abuse, and natural disasters. www.quiltsforkids.org
Quilts from Caring Hands Quilts from Caring Hands makes and distributes quilts at no charge to children-at-risk in Oregon: the homeless, those in foster care, visually impaired, abused, those with mental health issues. Our quilts are given to agencies that work with children from birth to age 18. quiltsfromcaringhands.com
Binky Patrol Binky Patrol is an all volunteer, national, non-profit organization making and distributing homemade blankets to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic and terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care, or experiencing trauma of any kind. www.binkypatrol.org
Shriners Hospital for Children Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, research and outstanding medical education. All services are provided in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc
Sleep in Heavenly Peace They believe that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. Across the U.S., too many children go without a bed to sleep on. They end up sleeping on couches, blankets, and even floors. This can affect their happiness and health. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. www.shpbeds.org
Sweet Pea Project The Sweet Pea Project offers comfort, support and gentle guidance to families who have experienced the death of a baby. Sweet Pea Project Blankets are donated to hospitals across the country and around the world. www.sweetpeaproject.org
Touching Little Lives The mission of Touching Little Lives is to make and distribute free of charge handmade items to preemie and needy newborns in Ohio. Every penny donated is spent on providing for these little lives. This is truly a charity of the heart, our reward being the personal satisfaction of helping those too young and fragile to help themselves. www.touchinglittlelives.org
Wrap Them in Love The mission of Wrap Them in Love is to collect donated quilts and distribute them to children around the world, so they can be wrapped in love and comfort. As we all know, a quilt is a very special thing. It isn’t just a blanket; it has been lovingly created by a real person. A quilter leaves a part of themselves in every quilt they make. The child who receives it will be able to snuggle up in all the love and comfort that comes in that quilt. www.wraptheminlove.org
Quilts for Comfort The primary purpose of Quilts from Caring Hands is to bring this feeling of loving comfort to at-risk children in Oregon. These include those who are homeless, drug addicted, visually impaired, or abused, and those in foster care. Our quilts are distributed through designated social service agencies. Each quilt we make for a child is unique. In addition to crib- and twin-sized quilts, we also assemble tactile quilts and “cuddlers” for visually impaired children. The finished quilts and cuddlers are given away once each quarter. quiltsfromcaringhands.com
Snuggles Project The Snuggles Project remains a very popular program of Hugs Society (formerly Hugs for Homeless Animals). Its popularity is worldwide. People from all around the world make Snuggles and donate them to their local animal shelters and rescues. Since its inception we have provided more than a million Snuggles to shelter animals around the world. www.snugglesproject.org
American Red Cross The American Red Cross mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. For over 130 years, the Red Cross has provided comfort, care and necessities to those affected by disaster including immediate assistance for food, shelter, clothing and emotional support. www.redcross.org
Cancer Support Community (a.k.a. Gilda’s Club) As the largest professionally led nonprofit network of cancer support worldwide, the Cancer Support Community is dedicated to ensuring that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. They are here to provide relevant and highly personalized support when and where it is needed most because “Community is Stronger than Cancer.” www.cancersupportcommunity.org
Quilt for a Cause Quilt for a Cause organizes the donation and marketing of hand-crafted quilts, quilt-related products and activities to raise and distribute funds to organizations in Arizona that provide treatment, support services and research for breast and gynecologic cancers. www.quiltforacause.org
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seattle Cancer Care Alliance brings together the leading research teams and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch, Seattle Children’s, and UW Medicine. Their mission is the pursuit of better, longer, richer lives for their patients. www.seattlecca.org
Quilts of Valor The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. www.qovf.org
Quilts of Honor The mission of Quilts of Honor is to bestow a universal symbol and token of thanks, solace, and remembrance to those who serve in harm’s way to protect and defend our lives and freedoms. Quilts of Honor are made by the loving hands of countless volunteers who wish to thank those who have served and to honor their service and sacrifice. www.quiltsofhonor.org
Daniel’s Heart Foundation To bring relief to those who suddenly find themselves experiencing life-long illness, disease, or physical trauma and are being cared for in their homes. www.danielsheart.com
Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution is an organization with a deeply rich history while also being truly relevant in today’s world. More than 1,000,000 women have joined the organization since it was founded over 125 years ago. They became members to honor their heritage as well as make a difference in their communities across the country and the world. www.dar.org
The Giving Quilt Inc. The Giving Quilt, Inc. is a public, non-profit, charitable organization that promotes the creation and presentation of quilts that provide comfort to children and adults, and works to increase public awareness with a biennial public quilt exhibit and presentation ceremony. The Giving Quilt invites all quilters to participate by donating quilts, either through participation at Giving Quilt sponsored sew days or through the biennial quilt show. Quilters and non-quilters are encouraged to join and participate through donations and assisting at the show. Thegivingquiltinc.wordpress.com
Hearts Knit Together Hearts Knit Together is a non-profit organization that delivers much needed personal items to those escaping domestic violence, sexual abuse, or war. Our volunteers collect, craft, and assemble these kits which include hygiene items, toys, games, puzzles, clothing, and stuffed animals for the children. These kits are distributed through Domestic Violence Shelters, victim support centers, and refugee organizations, to children and adults across the state of Utah. Our mission is to offer joy and order in the lives of those in our community who need it the most. www.heartsknittogether.org
Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS Each quilt donated to Hopes & Dreams from generous and selfless quilters across the country is sold to raise funds for ALS research. Hopes & Dreams, Inc. is a registered nonprofit with 100% of sales going to ALS research. Hopes & Dreams, Inc. is supported and funded in full by Quilters Dream Batting. www.hopesanddreams.quiltersdreambatting.com
Love, INC of Columbia, MO Love Inc. seeks to help those struggling with poverty by listening without judgment, facing reality, finding hope, and partnering for change. They do this by receiving, organizing, and deploying resources and volunteers to address material, informational, and relational poverty. www.columbialoveinc.org
Mito Quilts of Hope Mito Quilts of Hope Charity Quilts is a project whose goal is to give a quilt to every patient with Mitochondrial Disease (Mito) in Canada and the United States within 5 years. Due to Christine Knox’s own diagnosis of Mito, she conceived the project in August of 2013, to raise awareness of this rare genetic disease. Mitoquiltsofhope.org
New Moms New Moms partners with families to construct the foundation of well-being by strengthening core life skills, incorporating early childhood development supports, building pathways to and preparation for education and employment, and expanding positive social networks and access to community resources. newmoms.org
Operation Happy Nurse To help all nurses struggling with stress, anxiety and/or depression by offering a community focused on improving overall mental health and physical wellbeing. www.operationhappynurse.com
Quilts of Compassion Quilts of Compassion is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing hope and encouragement to those who are hurting through the gift of handmade quilts. www.facebook.com/quiltsofcompassion
Ronald McDonald House Charities They believe in supporting families around the world and helping them access the medical care and resources they need. www.rmhc.org
Stitchers Mending Hearts, Inc. Stitcher’s Mending Hearts is a Non-Profit organization doing good for the needy by using our crafting talents to bring a smile to someone in need. www.facebook.com/stitchersmendinghearts
Tubman Tubman helps women, men, youth and families who have experienced relationship violence, elder abuse, addiction, sexual exploitation or other forms of trauma. Throughout the Twin Cities, Tubman provides safe shelter, legal services, mental and chemical health counseling, elder abuse resources, youth programming and community education, including public information campaigns to provide community members the information and support they need to get help or give help. www.tubman.org
Young Parents Network YPN was founded in 1985 by community leaders who recognized that there was a lack of support for young families in Cedar Rapids. Since that time YPN has taken on a leadership role in East Central Iowa as the provider of ongoing comprehensive year round programs that meet the most critical needs of thousands of families within our community. www.ypniowa.org
There are so many ways to give love! Explore our holiday page to find several projects that make wonderful charitable donations and thoughtful gifts and check out our Planning Tips for Successful Holiday Sewing to help keep your giving projects organized!
A quilt is a gift from the heart, one that gives tangible comfort to those in need. We encourage you to take a closer look at your community and even your own friends and family. Who needs a quilt? Leave a comment below and let us know how do you like to give back. What are your favorite charitable organizations?
Last week was a wild and crazy week on the calendar. It started off by “Springing Forward” on Sunday, followed by St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday. Throw in basketball’s March Madness and a full moon, not to mention ending the week with National Quilting Day! {whew, I’m tired just writing all of that. haha} Well, just to keep the excitement level up a notch, we’ve decided to have another give-away. This is in conjunction with our June Quilters’ Bus Tour. Sign up for the bus tour before April 1 – in the next 10 days – and be eligible for a $129 gift certificate from Missouri Star Quilt Company. Who doesn’t like to spend prize money!??! “These are a Few of Our Favorite Quilt Shops” is a two day trip visiting eight fabulous quilt shops in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa. It’s designed to spend more time shopping (1 ½ hours at each shop) and less time riding. There will be other shopping opportunities in each town to entertain non-quilting traveling companions too. (Hint: our bus is lodging at Walnut, Iowa’s Antique City). Price of transportation, all meals and lodging is only $129. We don’t want to give away all the details, but expect some surprises! Reserve your seat today by contacting Missouri Star at: info@missouriquiltco.com or Carolyn@quiltersdailydeal.com. We’re going to have a blast! I promise! 🙂
And, if you are curious about our retreats we are going to post more information on them soon.
Don’t forget: Sign up NOW and be entered to win a $129 gift certificate to spend ANY way you want to at the Missouri Star Quilt co!!!
Have a wonderful Monday!
Sarah
PS: there is still time to send your quilts to be donated to Japan! Doing good. It’s a great feeling.
Our sweet friend Rita from Hiawatha Kansas and her sister came to visit us in the Shop on Tuesday and brought the first donation quilt we are going to send to the LDS Humanitarian Organization. Several others have said they will be mailing them in or sending a donation directly to them or to another charity! Thank you-thank you! All I can say is how wonderful it feels to serve. Thank you for helping us, help others. What other reason are we here, than for that?!?!
I think I’ve said this a time or two, but I am so amazed at the generosity and love that quilters have for each other and for others in need! What a blessing it is to me to be a part of such a great group of people! Thank you again.
My mind is still reeling over the events that occurred in Japan. This morning I was watching ‘Good Morning America’ and saw Diane Sawyer come upon a group (family) huddled together on the street. She was asking them how they were, and they offered food to her and her camera crew. Well, I just lost it right there. Here are these people, amid such a catastrophic event, near starvation themselves, and all they wanted to do was to share what they had. What a beautiful way to be. My daughter and I both were brought to tears while watching the coverage this weekend.
Tragedies like these always makes me want to do more. So let’s do something! We at the Missouri Star Quilt Co, will donate 5 full size quilts (or more if I can get my fingers moving) to the LDS Humanitarian Organization that regularly ships crates to disaster ravaged areas, and is currently assembling containers for Japan. They are looking for Twin and Full size quilts (I think that will be pretty standard no matter what organization you donate to). Don’t stress over it, just send something you’ve already made or what you can quickly put together in the next week or two.
That’s what we can do and we challenge you to do the same. Pick your favorite organization and then get with your local Quilt Guild, LQS or just get a group of friends together and give of your stash and time to create a warm quilt that will add comfort to the lives of people suffering.
Or if you don’t have time you can always donate money to the Red Cross.
Think of the difference you can make in the lives of these grief stricken people, just something clean and warm will go a long way.
If you’d like to ship to us, we will include your donation with ours and be shipping off a package at the end of next week. (March 25th), do what you can, just make sure to do something, please!
