The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is putting a call out to everyone in the Greater Cincinnati area to join together (while apart) in Quilts for a Cause, a special project to represent how as a community we can weather any crisis that comes our way.

Anyone can participate in Quilts for a Cause, be they a proficient quilter or a crafter with felt and sequins, and the final result will be a quilt(s) the Library Foundation of Cincinnati and Hamilton County can auction off to benefit critical Library services and programs, like Homework Help and summer learning activities for youth.

“I am beyond excited for this county-wide project. It opens up a great opportunity for customers to participate in an activity at home and offers a sense of community even though we are physically distant,” said Lesleigh Chumbley, Loveland Branch Manager. “By creating a quilt square we are able to come together remotely sharing our creativity and support with one another during this unprecedented time.”

Instructions for how to participate, as well as tutorials and guides for beginners, can be found at blog.cincinnatilibrary.org/Blog/quiltsforacause. The Library is asking participants to post photos of their squares on social media with the tag #QuiltsForACause.

“I look forward to seeing the different materials that will be used for this project. It’s nice to have an activity where everyone is included no matter their skill set,” said Chumbley. She also added that the Loveland Quilt Show at the branch, normally held in the spring, is being rescheduled for a later time to be determined.

Quilt questions? Contact Lesleigh Chumbley at 513-369-4476 or [email protected].

Download the project instructions here.

Project instructions: 

  • Use a 12 ½-inch-by-12 ½-inch piece of fabric. (Any color of prewashed fabric, preferably cotton, may be used.)
  • Decorate a 12-inch-by-12-inch area, leaving a quarter inch (¼ inch) undecorated border.
  • Not someone who sews? Use a piece of felt or old T-shirt and draw a design on with marker and/or glue on some sequins and beads. The Library welcomes your contribution no matter your skill level and with whatever supplies you have on hand.

We welcome participation from individuals, as well as groups who may want to make a group of blocks around a particular theme of their choice. Once you’ve finished your square(s), please put them in large Ziploc bag or plastic bag until the Library opens again. At that time, bags may be dropped off at your local branch. Include a label with your name and phone number or e-mail address in the bag with your quilt block.

Need some help with ideas? Here are some online resources for designs:

Not sure how to get started? Here are some craft databases for beginners with instructions and tips.

We hope you take this chance to join in with other crafters, beginners and advanced alike, to make something special that represents our community during this challenging time. We look forward to seeing photos of your squares on social media and hope they inspire others to pick up needle and thread, or sequin and glue, to become part of this county-wide project. Use the hashtag #QuiltsForACause when posting your creation to @cincylibrary on social media.

Quilt questions? Contact Lesleigh Chumbley, Loveland Branch Manager, at 513-369-4476 or [email protected]. For all other questions please email [email protected]

513-683-1052
215 Loveland-Madeira Rd
Loveland, Ohio 45140

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