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The Mongolian Quilting Center
In June 2003, Maggie Ball received an impassioned e-mail from a Mongolian woman, Selenge Tserendash, who wanted to help needy women in her country where unemployment is high and alcoholism is rampant. Because even nomadic families have hand-cranked Russian sewing machines and old clothing that can be used for quilted items, Selenge thought quilting would be an ideal activity for Mongolian women and asked for volunteers to teach.
In June 2004, Maggie and her 21-year-old daughter, Hazel, went to Mongolia to help at the recently opened New Way Life Mongolian Quilting Center. Maggie's church and quilting community helped with fund-raising efforts, and the quilting industry was extremely supportive in equipping the Center. Viking sent five sewing machines, David Textiles gave fabric, Prym-Dritz donated rulers, rotary cutters and mats and Coats and Clark provided thread. The Bainbridge Island Rotary Club funded the shipping of these items to Mongolia.
Hazel and Maggie spent two weeks at the Quilting Center. They taught the women to piece the Olzii, the traditional Mongolian motif, which brings long life and prosperity and protects from wild animals and evil spirits. They appliquéd the Olzii block onto tote bags and aprons to make attractive saleable products.
In August 2004, the Center was closed due to lack of funding. Donors at Maggie's church again generously provided funds and the Center was reopened in the basement of an apartment block. In spite of less-than-ideal conditions, the women persevered, and a Mongolian quilting community was established.
In June 2006, Maggie returned to Mongolia with Carol Gregory to help organize the first international quilt show in Mongolia. Two years after starting from scratch, the Mongolian women were making beautiful Olzii quilts. The exhibition in The Department Store in Ulaanbaatar was very successful. Funds raised will enable the Center to move to a better location with enough space for a retail outlet, classroom, workroom, child care and an office.
Within three to five years, the Mongolian Quilting Center should become self-sustaining. In the meantime, financial help and quilting expertise is needed. Go to Maggie's Web site, www.dragonflyquilts.com for further details about how you can help.
Information about additional charities below.
 Next time you brave the winter air, this stylish hate will keep you warm. Designed by Svetlana Avrakh. |
 This lovely hat and scarf set will be sure to keep you or a loved one warm this winter! Designed by Sarah Mehta. |
 Bobbles is a cuddly lamb that your child will be happy to snuggle. Designed by Kennita Tully. |
 Every mother of young children can use an extra blanket in which to wrap her bundle of joy. Designed by Linda May Rude. |
 This wool sweater will keep children warm on cool autumn school days. Make it with embroidered panels for girls, or make the front panels like the sleeves to appeal more to boys. Instructions are given for both. Designed by Gretta Howard. |
 Children will love wearing this brightly colored sweater. Designed by Edie Eckman. |
 Knit this delicate baby set for a special newborn. The complete set includes a sweater, bonnet and booties. Designed by Linda May Rude. |
 Texture and color add extra style to this easy-to-make children's sweater. Designed by Celeste Pinheiro. |
 Delight children 2 through 8 years old with this adorable sweater! Designed by Cindy Polfer. |
 Knit this delicate baby set for a special newborn. The complete set includes a vest, tam, booties and soft ball. Make a second set for a local charity! Designed by Emma L. Willey. |
Charity Organizations
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Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Binky Patrol Hugs for Homeless Animals Junior Blind of America The Mongolian Quilting Center Helping our Lakota Families Project Sunshine Crafting For A Cause is a 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization making hand crafted items with all money raised going to charities for children and elders of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD and children at the UC Davis Pediatric Cancer Infusion Center in Sacramento. Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers Ministry is a non-profit ministry of volunteers from around America that knit, crochet, loom and sew prayer cloths and shawls for people who need them and to our troops. Care Wear is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nationwide group of volunteers who provide handmade baby items to hospitals. Knit for Kids Heartmade Blessings Caps for Kids Angels4Preemies The Shawl Ministry Blankets for Canada Society is a non-demoninational, non-profit charity that makes 8" squares to be joined together into blankets. Inspired by Warm Up America, Blankets for Canada distributes blankets to organizations who care for people without shelter and in need of warmth. Squares 4 Survivors |
Relief Share
is a charity devoted to providing essentials for the sick and needy and those in crisis.
Project Linus National Headquarters Quilting Angels Quilts from Caring Hands Faith, Hope and Charity Stitches, Inc. Stitches From the Heart Hats for the Homeless Online Angels is a non-profit 501(C)3 charity that makes loveghans, crosses, angels to comfort and uplift those who are sick, dying, lost a loved one. We make baby items and send to Children's Hospitals, slippers, winter items to send to shelters & reservations. The Giving Heart is a 501(C)(3) non profit organization providing basic needs, assistance, acceptance and opportunities to the underprivileged, elderly, and those who otherwise are hindered in their desire to move forward. Granny Square Project is a ministry where crafters unite to create and donate hand crocheted and knitted squares to create afghans for critically ill babies and children. All afghans created will be donated to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Neonatal ICU in Waco Texas, as well as given directly to individuals as we come across them. Warm Hearts-Warm Babies donates items that are sewn, knitted, crocheted, and quilted for premature infants and babies in need. Quilts for Kids Sewing for Babies Warming Families Warm Up America! Warm Woolies is a non-profit organization whose volunteers knit warm clothing for poverty-stricken children who would otherwise suffer from cold. Soldiers' Angels |
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