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March 31, 2000
Prairie Piecemakers donate to ABC QuiltsBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- The sewing talents of a local quilting group are providing comfort, warmth and love to babies and children whose world is deemed at-risk. Prairie Piecemakers, a six-year-old quilting group of 50 people from New Ulm and the surrounding area, started a quilt project four years ago. During that time, the group has made approximately 100 quilts for a nationwide and international project called ABC Quilts. "ABC" stands for "At-Risk Baby Quilts". Babies and young children who are affected by alcohol, drugs, HIV/AIDS, or by family abandonment receive the quilts. This year volunteers made 31 quilts for ABC quilts. The quilts will be displayed at Muggs Fabric and Bridal Quilt Show today through Sunday at the Marktplatz Mall, New Ulm. "We're proud of it," said Prairie Piecemaker Fran Albright, of New Ulm, "I love the project. I think the volunteers feel a sense of accomplishment. This is one of those quick ways we can do some good." Volunteers either make entire quilts, or they donate time or supplies to help make parts of the ABC Quilts. The ABC Quilts project began in 1988 when a woman named Ellen Ahlgren read an article by Elisbeth Kubler Ross. At that time, Ross estimated there were approximately 3,000 babies affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. That same year, Ahlgren and co-founder Ann White began enlisting the assistance of friends and families to make baby quilts. In 1989, Ahlgren and White attracted national attention through an article in Quilters Newsletter Magazine. The article requested quilts and coordinators to help manage ABC Quilts. By the end of 1992, approximately 32,000 quilts had been delivered to at-risk babies and children. Prairie Piecemakers got involved in 1997 when 19 of their members signed up to make a quilt. ABC quilts must be made of 100 percent cotton, and the filling should be of bonded polyester batting. The size of the newborn quilts are 36x36 inches. Quilts for toddlers can be as big as 40x 44 inches. Thy can be either quilted by hand or by machine. Every quilt includes a handmade label that says, "ABC Quilts, Love and comfort to you," It is signed with a first name and the state where the quilt was made. "Quilting is an artform. I love fabrics and colors," said Albright, "There's a sense of satisfaction in doing a small quilt in a short amount of time." The ABC Quilts made by Prairie Piecemakers are sent to an ABC Quilt coordinator in Mound. Those quilts will then be given to children in Minnesota, according to Albright.
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