Montgomery County Association
Family & Community Education
“STRENGTHENING FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION”
FCE Blanket Making

The
quilts/blankets are all homemade with tender loving care, which is
another way of saying “Someone loves you”. Ours is a group of
women who meet about once a month at the Agricultural History Farm
Park on 18410 Muncaster Rd. in Derwood. We knit, crochet, cut and
sew material and have a wonderful time meeting old and making new
friends. (calendar) Our yarn and fabric has been generously donated by
individuals. Crafters use their own imaginations in creating the
quilts, which makes each one unique. So far we’ve made over
24,000
blankets. In addition, we’ve made approximately 13,000 newborn and
baby hats.
Blankets are
distributed to shelters, such as Stepping Stones, the Betty Ann
Krahnke Shelter for victims of domestic violence, Heart and Home,
local hospitals, including Holy Cross, Montgomery General, Shady
Grove, NIH Ronald McDonald House and Children’s National Medical
Center.

Our expenses
include batting for the sewn blankets and sewing machine repairs; we
have been blessed with financial donations to FCE for this project.
Guidelines for Blanket Making
Thank you for all your hard work in sewing, knitting and crochet
blankets for children of all ages.
Please read the guidelines so that all your
blankets can be used for the children.
Fabric Quilts
1.
All fabric should be washed. We have much donated fabric
stored at the Extension office that will need to be washed.
If each of you could take home 2 pieces each time you come, wash
(some will need ironed) and return the fabric the next time you
come, it would be greatly appreciated.
2.
Kid’s print fabric is needed. We have purchased some kid’s
print fabric with the money that was donated to us with the
G-Street fabric gift certificates. Brightly colored designs
and patterns are also acceptable. Approx. 2 ¼ yards is
needed for one blanket.
3.
Plain bright colored fabric is needed for backs.
4.
If you purchase fabric be careful of fabric made in China as it
is not substantial. (Better not to purchase.)
5.
Blankets need to be a minimum of 36 x 36. They can be
longer approximately 36 x 45 to 50 to accommodate a
pre-teen/teenager. Cotton blankets must have
batting.
6.
Pin blankets/batting carefully so that sewing is easier.
When sewing be careful with tucks and puckers, check both
sides. When pinning, flatten out batting.
7.
Use like fabrics, i.e. cotton with cotton, flannel with
flannel.
8.
Quilt a maximum of 6 (six) inches apart.
9.
To assist in tying quilts at the max of 6 inches apart, I have
made squares that are 5 ¾ inches to use a guide.
10.
If
you smoke or someone in your house smokes or have pets and you
make a blanket at home, you MUST wash the blanket and immediately
put it in a plastic bag after removing from the dryer.
Knitted and Crochet Blankets
1. Blankets should be at least 36 x 36. They can be
longer approximately 36 x 45 up to 45 x54 to accommodate a
pre-teen/teenager.
2. Use acrylic, washable yarns. No Fringe
3.
If you smoke or someone in your house smokes or have pets and you
make a blanket at home, you MUST wash the blanket and immediately
put it in a plastic bag after removing from the dryer.
4.
ALL ends MUST be pulled in. Please take the extra few
minutes to do this before turning in your blanket.
5. When putting squares together, be sure they are secured
to each other. A good method is to crochet the squares
together but if you can’t do that, sewing is acceptable.
Just be sure the ends are in and the squares are securely held
together.
Fleece Blankets
1.
Single pieces (as opposed to double) are preferable.
2.
Blankets can be sewed, fringed or tied.
3.
If
you smoke or someone in your house smokes or have pets and you
make a blanket at home, you MUST wash the blanket and immediately
put it in a plastic bag after removing from the dryer.
WE WELCOME
EVERYONE to our meetings. Some people come and stay all day, some
only long enough to drop off a finished quilt and pick up more
supplies. Some women work behind the scenes doing their work
quietly on their own and sending the finished blanket with a friend.
So come on over, bring a sandwich and a smile and we will supply
materials, a drink, and dessert.
For more
information please call Kathie at (301) 270-5367.
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