“Sew It, Sign It” A Community Signature Quilt Project to Benefit Sickle Cell Disease Awareness
It’s estimated that sickle cell disease affects 75,000 to 100,000 people in the United States, and about 6,000 individuals in New Jersey alone. While the blood disorder primarily affects persons of African descent, it’s also present throughout the Mediterranean, as well as Middle Eastern and Asian countries.
After a casual conversation with two students at the Cultured Expressions Sewing & Quilting Studio in Rahway, owner Lisa Shepard Stewart and associate Edie Browne brainstormed ideas for a sewing-related community project. Soon, the two settled on a fundraising quilt project to benefit sickle cell awareness, as Edie herself lives with the disease. Edie is also involved in the Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey, which will be the recipient of the funds raised. This was the beginning of the “Sew It, Sign It” project.
As the name implies, supporters visit the studio to SEW an easy 6” quilt block using colorful African prints (just 2 seams!), then SIGN the block, all for a registration fee of $10, of which $8 will be donated to the Association. Or they can just sign a plain ivory fabric square to be stitched into the borders of the quilt for a $5 registration fee, of which $3 will be donated. Of course, participants can donate above these levels by sewing multiple blocks or making an additional contribution to help cover the cost of finishing the quilt. The donor can include his or her own name, a personal message of encouragement, a tribute to a loved one afflicted with the illness or other positive sentiment. Participants will receive a custom logo button.
“We welcome everyone in the community to support this effort,” said Shepard Stewart. “We encourage folks to come out and experience the fun of working with African prints while contributing to a very worthy cause.” The public is invited to visit the CE studio to sew blocks from now through May 18 on a drop-in basis during regular studio hours, or by appointment. The blocks will be joined into a finished quilt to be displayed locally, then presented to the Association along with the collected funds by World Sickle Cell Day on June 19.
“Sew It, Sign It is a great group activity for families, quilt guilds, scouts, churches, civic groups and others. Beginners are especially welcome, and we’ll guide you through the process of sewing and signing the quilt block, which takes no more than 5 minutes,” Shepard Stewart said.
Non-local customers can also participate by ordering block kits online at CulturedExpressions.com (The $15 kit cost includes donation, fabrics, instructions, logo button and SASE to return the finished block.)
Studio Hours are Wednesday 4 – 8 p.m.; Thursday 12 – 6 p.m.; Friday 12 – 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 – 6 p.m. To schedule an appointment in advance or for further information, call 866-683-2568 (866-MUDCLOTH) or email info@CulturedExpressions.com.
(above) Yoanne and Edie creating sample blocks for display.
