Quilt for Ethiopia
 

I will be making a quick trip to Ethiopia to visit an orphanage and sponsored community members for a Canadian charity called Vulnerable Children. While there, I am visiting a young boy and his grandmother whom I sponsor. I want to take them a quilt as a gift but am uncertain about: colour (should it be bright or scrappy); pattern (smaller pieces in a scrappy quilt, larger pieces, a landscape quilt of our region); and batting (if any). They live within a few hours of Addis Ababa, so I assume the elevation is quite high. I leave in a month, so I do have some time to work on this project.

Any help would be appreciated.

Can you do any research on the region, in terms of climate, customs, and culture? I would do something with big blocks, maybe a D9P with bigger squares? There are also so many fun and easy patterns from Calico Carriage Quilt Designs, you might want to Google the website and check it out.

I think a scrappy (perhaps a string quilt) with bright colors would be nice. If time and money would allow it, how about 2 twin size quilts. One for the grandmother & one for the grandson. If it is higher elevation & gets chilly at night, a medium loft would probably fit the bill. What a wonderful thing you are doing for the less fortunate. I would also sew a label into the quilt so it can be identified. By sewing it into the quilt, it wouldn't be easy to cut out. Please post what your final decision is & also I'd love to see pictures.
God bless you Rita.

The above suggestions are are very good. What a wonderful thing you are doing!

Just keep in mind that the quilt will be washed in a water hole or bucket and not so gently soap will be used. It will also be dried outside in the sun.

Ask me how I know - I visited our sponsored family/community in Ghana (Africa)

I don't think it matters what type of quilt you make. Make it strong and sturdy and they will love what ever you do. God Bless you.

Thank you for the reminder. I was considering a Jewel Box scrap quilt, but I wonder how long the colours will last with it "dried outside in the sun".

Thank you, but I've found that I receive a lot more than I give in this type of circumstance.

I thought echo stitching just inside the blocks which have the seam allowances behind them should help secure the seams. Any other suggestions to make sure the quilt will stand up?

My sister-in-law has done a lot of work in Africa, she told me they LOVE bright colors! The 3rd time she went, she wanted to bring new shorts, underwear and bras in all sizes, so I went around to my local stores and bought lots of items that were on sale or on the clearance racks. Some of the bras were quite, um, garish, but she said the more outrageous they were, the more popular they were! :)

I think what you are doing is fantastic ! All the photos I have seen of the area , bright colors are popular.