Quilt project underway for families of Newtown, Conn. tragedy

Members of the Fallbrook Woman’s club have designed a community service project to provide comfort for the families affected by the Newtown, Conn. school shooting. The group hopes to encourage residents to make lap-size “prayer quilts” and/or donate supplies for them to be made in order to send a large number of them to the Newtown community.

“Our hearts are heavy with the tragedy that took place in Newtown, Conn.,” said organizer Dannai Mungo. “I know many of us have thought about how can we help these families, but feel completely helpless not knowing what to do or how to even do it. We hope to make at least 26 prayer quilts, one for each (affected) family.”

Mungo defined a “prayer quilt” as follows: “A prayer quilt is a quilt that is made with love and tied with prayers. While prayers are encouraged throughout the quilt-making process, each knot that is tied into the quilt is made with a prayer for the recipient. A heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers, and the ends are left free to be tied with a square knot, similar to a surgeon’s knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for the person who will be receiving the finished quilt.” The prayer quilts in this project are to measure 42 x 54 inches each.

Mungo said her group is asking local residents to “put aside some time” from now until Feb. 28 to help in making one or more quilts, or by providing a donation of material.

The group is also seeking donations of standard, 12-inch blocks (squares) of fabric to make the quilts.

Community members needing instruction on how to make a quilt are encouraged to attend free workshops that will be offered for this purpose. Workshops will be offered Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, Feb. 21 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Fallbrook Woman’s Club, 238 W. Mission Rd. (Since space is limited for each class, please call Dannai Mungo at 949-285-5709). Participants should bring their fabric squares to the workshop. Those without fabric should advise of that when reserving a space.

Mungo said quilt makers are welcome to put gestures of love and comfort in their quilts.

“A square or squares of cherubs, little angels, children praying, etc., would be nice,” she said.

Mungo said the group would appreciate hearing from local quilters that plan on making prayer quilts for the project so they know the projected number that will be made.

Donations of material (squares) or finished quilts can be dropped off at the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce office, 111 S. Main Ave., or at Manor Cleaners, 125 E. Mission Rd. Donations are also being accepted to help with the shipping cost of the quilts.

For more information, call Mungo at (949) 285-5709 or email her at [email protected].

“I’m hoping that our gesture will bring love and comfort to all those that need healing,” said Mungo.