Prayers & Squares

orphan block
May 2019

Nearly a month ago, I joined a woman in my apartment complex for lunch, and as we visited, she told me about a local group (Prayers and Squares) where she volunteers. The group meets weekly to make quilts for those who are going through difficult times - sickness, grief, personal or natural tragedy, etc. Volunteers begin each session with a devotion and prayer and frequently a local minister will stop by and pray with the group.

The ministry is housed in two basement rooms of a local church. Six or seven sewing machines are available as well as a cutting table, pressing station, and a large table for tying. The drawers of the tables are full of fabric squares of all sizes; bins on the shelves contain speciality/themed fabrics, bolts of fabric, spools of thread, orphan blocks and fabric strings. Nearly everything has been donated or was purchased with donated money.

Women, who do not feel comfortable sewing, prepare backings for the tops and then tie the layers together or press/cut fabric for those who are sewing. They say a prayer for the recipient with each knot they tie.

I decided to tackle the bin of orphan blocks. I found several pieced stars and a baggie filled with stars and extra fabric.  I framed the blocks during the work session and took them home to finish the quilt.

Orphan Star Quilt
58 x 74 inches

I enjoyed meeting and working with the other volunteers. Prayers & Squares is now on my calendar, and I will attend as often as I can.