Friday 20 June 2014

Soy Amado Update

So another delivery went to the home in Mexico City earlier this week and there are photos and news to share.

First of all, it was a bumper delivery.



I think there were about 30 quilts - a mixture of the ones I have been putting together as well as whole quilts people have sent directly to the Netherlands.

I don't have any more photos of these most recent quilts being put on the beds so apologies if you were hoping to see them on beds this time. I will try for that on another visit.

What follows are snap shots of some of the earlier quilts on beds as well as the living conditions the children exist in. As a really, really small aside, it is interesting to note that all the quilts you'll see on the beds have been washed many times and have held their colour well and seem to have suffered no lasting effects from being constructed from all sorts of different types and thicknesses of batting!













As you're probably starting to get the picture, the surroundings are very basic.
Feedback has been the quilts have transformed the sleeping areas into a far more welcoming and homely environment for the children.





The 'bedrooms' are actually long, narrow corridors.







Clearly they preferred the back of this quilt!





I've also been asked by some quilters about making pillow cases. I'm not sure what to say as some of the children have no pillows at all and those that do, the pillows are all different sizes. I shall investigate some more on what to do.


Clearly someone else prefers the reverse side of their quilt too!



Meanwhile, they need to take in more children off the streets so are busy making more space for them.



So where does that leave Soy Amado?

The home has said they'd like about another ten quilts and then they have enough for all the children. I am AMAZED we got there so quickly. That means more whole quilts were sent than I realised and I have been sent more than enough blocks here to reach my goal.

So an enormous thanks from me to everyone who made whole quilts, blocks, sent pre-made binding and sashing, thread, fabric (if you knew how much I already have you'd never have sent more) the person who stopped by my house one day who was on holiday on our island and a quilting friend had asked her to take the blocks with her and deliver them to me (I was out at work so the neighbour took them)!

To the people who embroidered Soy Amado and Soy Amada blocks, the people who needlessly worried about sending me blocks 'with points not matching' and generally everyone who has helped me in any way to get this far so quickly, a massive THANK YOU.

As much as I have enjoyed doing this (and I have) it's been a complete time sucker the last six months and I really would like to get back to just making quilts for me, just because.

However, I am very proud of what we've done and it has made me realise what can be achieved if you put your mind to it. I know we only scratched the surface in Mexico City but we did something nonetheless. So, I'm going to leave the Soy Amado details in my heading bar and if and when anyone has any old blocks knocking around (12 1/2 please!) I'm happy to make them up into quilts as and when I feel the need.

Apparently there's a home for deaf children in Dar Es Salaam with 270 beds that would like some quilts...


26 comments:

  1. Bring on Dar Es Salaam!

    I am so amazed how you pulled people together and made this project work through a terrific amount of work on your part. I applaud you, Alison. You should be very proud. I love that those children in Mexico are a little bit cosier than they were last year and I hope they realise that people do care.

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  2. Fantastic! Well done all. I really like the quilt as you go block quilts - they are all fun and so happy looking. Just putting the binding on my quilt and it will be in the post to you next week!

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  3. Oh bravo my super friend - you did great, so so pleased it all snowballed into this wonderful outcome. They will surely name a street after you in Mexico City ;)

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  4. You are a star for achieving so much, dedicating so much time, effort and energy and galvanising help in your campaign to brighten up the corner of some lives in Mexico City.

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  5. You have done an amazing job Alison - thanks so much for the pics, they look amazing :)

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  6. Yay! That is such a great outcome. All credit to you for you energy and commitment. I hope you have time now to rest a little so you can really enjoy making a gorgeous quilt, just for you xx

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  7. Thank YOUfor giving us the chance to make a difference in a childs life! If only having a quilt on your bed is making your day as a street child a little brighter, I'm glad and proud we all could contribute.

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  8. You've done a fabulous job on all of these quilts! Thanks for sharing the photos. The quilts do bring cheeriness to the room and I'm sure they'll bring lots of comfort to the children.

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  9. You you. Are. Amazing. Blessings on you. Another 270 quilts? The need seems endless

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  10. Well done you! 70 quilts seemed almost too big a goal at the start and it's fantastic that in only six months your goal has been achieved. I still wonder what you were doing there on Christmas Day last year. It's not your average thing to be doing whilst on holiday, but lucky for them you were! It's lovely to see the quilts in situ and very funny that the backs are just as popular as some of the fronts! I have really only made quilts for my friend's children and I know they love them and get attached to them, so I know these will be, and are, loved. Whatcha gonna make now?

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  11. Fantastic job Alison! Thank
    You for doing this, i feel really pleased to have been able to contribute. I have a pile of blocks in process still (should have pulled my finger out) is there someone else I could post them too?

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  12. What an achievement Alison, and the pictures really bring it home just how much those quilts were needed and will surely make such a difference. I was thrilled to see the one I sent direct on a bed, I had thought it so dull but reckon it looks fine.I still have some orphans earmarked for finishing off for you and will just continue with them as I fancy there will be a future appeal. In the meantime have a well earned break.

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  13. to see the quilts on the beds and the faces of the children makes it all REAL x You have exceeded your aims ... so.. take a bow and ... HAVE A WELL EARNED REST xx

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  14. Very well done. Enjoy making quilts for yourself again, this was a great project to follow!

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  15. You are so amazing, you just made this happen. It is a fantastic achievement, well done! I do hope that you are able to make some quilts for you now too.

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  16. Well done, Alison! A marvellous project which you have orchestrated and worked hard on for all these months. You must be thrilled to see the quilts being used, loved and brightening up those small spaces the children have to call their own. The quilts make a wonderful gallery on Flickr, a feast for the eyes.

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  17. It has been a joy to be involved in this project! Thank you for organizing it. I would love to see a map with little pins to show where we all live and how so many quilts of love made their way to Mexico City.
    PS When you decide to start another project like this count me in.

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  18. Wonderful pictures Alison, and amazing that you are so close to reaching 70 quilts already! Bravo to you for all your hard work, looking forward to seeing what you make next ! :)

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  19. Oh wow this is amazing. You've achieved so much for those with so little.

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  20. It's been a joy to watch you make this difference in the children's lives. Congratulations on making a difference - once child and one quilt at a time.

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  21. An amazing achievement in just 6 months, I think you do right to make something for YOU now, you totally deserve it. Well done.

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  22. I can't believe that you're so close to providing each and every child in the home with a quilt for their bed - bravo!!!

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  23. A really wonderful projekt ... It makes me gooseflash reading something like this ... Your heart looms large looking this pictures ... I send you my absolut admiration ... ;)))

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