If you are interested in official volunteer opportunities with the Amador Valley Quilt Guild, see the Job Descriptions and Volunteer Form for more information. To volunteer on community quilts projects or to donate a display block, please visit the committee tables at the guild meeting or contact the Community Quilts or Display Blocks Chairperson.
Community Quilts:
Community Quilts is an ongoing outreach project of Amador Valley Quilters. Our largest undertaking is to create quilts to be given to various individuals in local charitable organizations. The effort started in 1986, when 16 quilts were given to the Tri-Valley Haven for battered women. Today the project has expanded to 900 quilts given to 11 agencies who serve all ages, from premature babies to our seniors in wheelchairs.
In December, we celebrate with the recipient organizations at a luncheon we host during our general meeting.
A dualfold outreach program that assists with the making of quilt tops for Community Quilts is our quilting class at the Federal Correctional Institution women’s prison in Dublin. AVQ has maintained a presence there for close to twenty years. The program has changed over the years, but interest in quilting among the inmates has never been stronger. They are motivated and eager to learn.
Budding Beginners:
A realtively new program called “Budding Beginners” began the Alden Lane Quilt in the Garden Show 7 years ago. Each year AVQ makes up kits of fusible appliqué and 9-patch blocks to teach any new quilters a little bit about quilting. AVQ members help the guest sew the block and explain how a quilt sandwich is made and can be quilted or tied. The “Budding Beginners” will be at our 2011 AVQ Quilt show this spring for the first time.
Alameda County Fair:
AVQ provides its members the opportunity to volunteer in the Young California Building where the quilting exhibit is in place. Here we are available to answerquestions of the fair attendees and generally have ongoing tying or quilting at a booth.
Display Blocks:
AVQ Members are encouraged to make 16” blocks which represent a wide variety of traditional and contemporary blocks. These blocks are displayed at various venues such as libraries, senior citizen facilities, town halls, schools and community displays. They aid in promoting knowledge and appreciation of quilt making as an art form. They are always well received by our viewers and often trigger their memories of quilts long forgotten. A sampling of these display blocks are also on display during guild meetings.
We currently have more than 120 display blocks showcasing a wide variety of styles and techniques. We want to continue growing this collection with newer patterns and styles. Try a new block, a difficult one you only want to make one of, or play with a new technique. No matter what, it will be enjoyed and become a permanent part of AVQ’s display block collection.
For more information and instructions on making a Display Block, please take a look at the Display Block Instruction Form available on our documents page.
View more photos of AVQ Display Blocks in our Display Blocks photo gallery.
