Quilt Display/Banner Making

Quilt pinning has been an important part of past Games for donor families.  Because of the limited amount of time to plan the Transplant Games of America, Quilt kits will not be sent out prior to the 2012 event.  All are still encouraged to make a Quilt square to honor your loved one and bring it to the Games in July.

Making a Quilt Square

How to begin:

  • Talk to your family members and friends.  Get their input on designing the square, since only one square can be submitted per donor.  Take your time and think about what you would like to include on the Quilt square.  What was important to your loved one?  What reminds you of him or her?
  • Your Quilt square MUST be an 8 inch by 8 inch square.  Your design must fit inside a 7 inch square. 
  • You can use almost any fabric color or type, including sentimental materials such as part of your loved one's baby blanket, high school jacket, tie, or favorite sweater.  You can use paint (no watercolors), permanent markers, laminated photos, or paper and thread to design the square. 
  • Please do NOT use glitter, stickers, glue, crayons, or paper (unless laminated), as these items can easily fall off.
  • You can adorn the square with poems, quotes, and/or symbols of your loved one's life, name, date of birth, and/or date of death.  Please sew everything securely (do not use glue).  The Quilt travels frequently, so make sure everything is as secure as possible. 
  • Do not "finish" the square with Quilting or backing. 
  • If you would like to include a photo of your loved one, you can have a photo transferred onto fabric at a copy shop.  You can also purchase special fabric for your personal printer.

What if I can't sew or need help getting started?

  • Ask a friend or relative for help.
  • Ask a local fabric store for tips from experienced Quilters.

About the Donor Quilt

  • The Quilt is an ever-growing memorial created by donor families in honor of their loved ones. 
  • Donor families are: families whose loved ones died and donated their organs tissues, or both for transplantation or research efforts.  Families that would have liked to donate, but could not due to medical or other reasons.  Families that did not donate, but might have, had they been given the opportunity.
  • Quilt patches are adorned with special details such as photos, poems, and symbols of the loved one's live.  Patches have been made out of sentimental materials such as baby blankets, high school jackets, ties, and favorite sweaters.
  • The Quilt travels to events throughout the world to pay special tribute to our loved ones, while raising awareness about donation.