Community Outreach
Pal Quilts
Pal quilts are a heartfelt offering from the WCQG, intended to bring comfort to residents in palliative care at local hospices, and more recently, the COMPASS Refugee Centre. These quilts represent the warmth and care of our Guild within the community, and are made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Pal donates about a dozen quilts to each of three local hospices roughly every six months, while COMPASS requires slightly more frequent deliveries.
For members interested in donating, we welcome any colours and designs, but it’s important to remember that these quilts will undergo frequent laundering. Durability is key, so please ensure your quilt is sturdily constructed to endure regular washing.
Please note, we are only able to accept finished quilts. If you have an unquilted top, we can suggest the name of a volunteer longarmer, so you can make arrangements with them to get your quilt finished.
If you are a longarmer willing to volunteer to quilt some tops, please get in touch.
This is a Waterloo County Quilters’ Guild sponsored outreach project.
Co-ordinators: Tamara G & Megan S
PAL Quilt Guidelines
PAL Quilts Guidelines
To ensure that your contribution meets the needs of the hospices and upholds the Guild’s standards, please carefully follow these updated guidelines. Unfortunately, quilts that do not meet these guidelines cannot be accepted.
Dimensions: For refugees, quilts should be at least twin size, to keep a person completely covered while sleeping. Double or queen size quilts are also very welcome. Hospice quilts must be hospital bed sized (approx 60” x 72”) and sturdily constructed to withstand regular laundering in an industrial washing machine.
Fabric: Quilts should be 100% cotton and sturdily constructed, preferably with machine binding, as they will be machine-laundered (hospice quilts go through an industrial washing machine and dryer). Colour and design are up to the maker, but we have been told that bright, cheerful colours are always appreciated by both hospice patients and refugees.
Batting: Choose 100% cotton or an 80/20 cotton-poly blend. If you need batting, please contact the PAL co-ordinator. They can confirm availability and arrange for you to pick it up at the next Gatherings.
Construction and Finishing
Design: You have creative freedom with colours and design, but remember that the quilt must withstand frequent laundering.
Quilting: Quilts must have a top, batting, and backing, and should be either machine or hand-quilted. Tied quilts are not acceptable due to the frequent washing required.
Will someone quilt my top for me? Yes, some volunteers have generously offered to longarm a few quilts for PAL. Please let us know if you have a top that needs quilting and we will provide you with the name of a volunteer longarmer to contact.
Seams: If the backing fabric is seamed, ensure the selvages are trimmed to prevent uneven shrinking during washing.
Binding: Use double-fold (“French fold”) binding for durability. Binding should be attached by machine and may be finished by hand or machine. Join binding strips with diagonal seams.
Donation
Drop-off: Finished quilts can be dropped off at our monthly Gatherings meetings at the designated table. Be sure to include a WCQG label with your quilt. Print-your-own labels are available, and printed labels may also be available from the PAL committee.
Contact Information: Please pin your name, phone number, and email address to your quilt so your donation can be acknowledged.
Requesting Materials
If you need batting or backing for your PAL quilt, you can request these materials from the PAL Co-ordinators. Forms are available in both PDF and Word here. Download the form, fill it out on your computer, and email it to the PAL Co-ordinators.
Alternatively, you can send an email with the following information:
Your name, phone number, and email address
The finished size of the quilt
Whether you need batting
Whether you need backing (if available)
Whether you need a label
Your preferred quilting method (domestic machine, longarm machine, or hand)
Labelling
Please label the quilt.
PAL Quilts
Waterloo County Quilters' Guild
PO. Box 38044
Bridgeport Post Office
Waterloo, ON N2J 4T9
Made By [Your Name & Year]
Together, let’s continue to bring warmth and comfort to those in need through our PAL Quilts.