Community
Giving back, one quilt at a time
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”
Gateway Quilters Guild (GQG) members are kind and generous by nature. Since we formed in 1985, we have been giving back to our community with donations of materials, quilts and of our time. We share the art of quilting with displays at local events and beginning quilt classes.
We provide quilts for children placed in foster care to hold and cuddle. We make and deliver special pillowcases for Valley Children's Hospital to give to comfort little patients. GQG gives reassurance for the new college bound student as part of UC Merced's Guardian Scholars program. We assist adults by sharing our quilts with the homeless or displaced, and Veterans from our local area to honor their service. Assisted living facilities receive our wheelchair quilts and fidget quilts to stimulate Alzheimer patients.
Our charity work
Quilter's Embrace
Quilter's Embrace is a large portion of Gateway Quilters Guild, a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. Annually we donate more than 200 quilts to various community organizations.
Through the gift of a quilt, our goal is to let those recipients feel that they are part of a larger community of people who care and would like to support, comfort and provide a sense of belonging.
May this quilt keep you safe from harmMay it be your good luck charmI do not know your name, nor the mountains you faceBut what you hold in your arms is a Quilter's Embrace.
Each quilt given has a special label sewn onto the back.
Honoring service
Veterans' quilts
Veterans quilts are made in patriotic colors and may even contain the branch of service which the veteran served. We have presented quilts to veterans living in our local area, starting with WWII, the Korean War and are currently working on Vietnam Vets.
In addition, we would like to thank B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #1240 for their generous donation of cotton batting to assist us in completing our veterans' quilts.
UC Merced
Guardian Scholars
Guardian Scholars is a program at UC Merced to provide a network of academic and personal support services that promote degree attainment for foster youth at UC Merced.
As a quilt guild located in Merced, we are proud to partner with the Guardian Scholar's program and provide each incoming freshman a quilt for their dorm room.
Classes and sew days
Learning to quilt
In 2019, our guild started a beginning quilt class for guild members to fill in the void when Merced Junior College closed their Community Service class of quilting.
The class covers the tools quilters commonly use, how to buy fabric, how to read a quilt pattern, sewing tips and finishing. The new quilter completes three projects that progress in skill and teach the basics of quilt making. This is a very 'hands on' and interactive class. It is a great way to learn and make new friends in the guild.
This fun and lively class is taught by various guild members. We meet in the Gracey Room of the Merced County Library, 2100 O Street, Merced.
In addition, our guild provides sew days, quarterly free for members. Participants bring their machine, a current project and sew from 9:00–3:00. You can ask others for advice, chat and deepen friendships.
Merced College
Scholarships
Annually, our guild provides two, $500 scholarships to Merced College re-entry students.
Applications can be picked up from Merced College Financial Aid Scholarship Office. Deadlines are set by the college and are due in the spring. The scholarship is for re-entry, full time students. The scholarship, once awarded, is given to the student and divided in half for each semester.
Sewing for others
Dress a Girl Around the World
How to make a dress from the pattern
As we sew these dresses for the beautiful girls around the world, let's think… if I put this dress on my daughter or niece or granddaughter, would she be proud to wear this? If the answer is 'YES!', then that dress is ready for a little girl in need.
ToolsFabric, elastic, bias binding, embellishments, scissors, safety pin, thread, sewing machine, sewing pins.
Step-by-step instructions
The complete step-by-step instructions are ready to print and keep beside your sewing machine.
Download the step-by-step instructions (PDF)
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How can I help in person?
Quilter's Embrace normally meets every Thursday, 7:00 p.m. at a member's home. We cut backings, piece quilt tops, quilt on a long arm machine, sew on labels, and bind quilts.
How can I help from home?
- Create a quilt or a quilt top of your own design. Backing and batting are appreciated, but not necessary.
- Cut and assemble a kit. Get in touch to arrange this.
- Donate a completed top.
- Search through your stash and donate unwanted fabric.
See the quilt sizes and fabric donation questions below for what we need.
Do you accept fabric donations?
We gladly accept:
- Fabric, quarter-yard pieces or larger. No scraps, please.
- 100% cotton fabric, washed if possible.
- Large pieces of batting, at least one yard. No scraps, please.
Large fabric donations of multiple bags or boxes are accepted by arrangement. Please get in touch first.
When are quilts distributed for Guardian Scholars?
Quilts are distributed in August.
What size should I make my quilt?
- A top to be quilted by Quilter's Embrace
- 40" x 50" or 56" x 70"
- Quilts of Valor
- No less than 55" x 60", no more than 72" x 90". 60" x 80" is ideal.
- A Guardian Scholars quilt
- A long twin, 60" x 95", is ideal.
- An Alzheimer's fidget quilt
- Approximately 16" x 20"
- A wheelchair quilt
- Roughly 34" x 34"
What are the best colours to use for a Guardian Scholars quilt?
UC Merced's colours, yellow and blue.