Debbie Maddy, a Graham quilt designer, traveled to New York City to participate in “Sisterhood of Dreamers to Doers for NY Women’s Shelter,” a group created by Martha Stewart. Besides filling quilt orders, designing quilt patterns and teaching quilt classes, she mans an impressive Web site and blog at Calico Carriage. The first day, she met the other 40 Dreamers and hosted a luncheon for 54 women and 35 children living in the New Horizons shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Maddy has since joined a subgroup, “Sisterhood of Dreamers to Doers for NY Women’s Shelter,” who volunteered to host a luncheon for women in New Horizons Shelter. Maddy found out later that one woman uses her quilt at the shelter, and two of the women saved the quilts for when they have homes of their own. Maddy is bringing donated items for the goodies bags, including perfume and cosmetic samples, kids’ homemade slippers, toys, fabric-covered journals and redecorating supplies.

Tags: long arm quilting machines, quilting patterns, donated, keepsake quilting, shelter, quilting fat quarters