We began planning for the event with members sharing ideas in regard to simple but practical items to make, so it was all hands on deck as we made items for our sales table and close to the event, cakes for refreshments. On the day we set the room up with 6 large quilts on display and lots of home-made cakes ready for serving with cups of tea and coffee. The sales table was overflowing with all the things we had made such as fabric bags with ribbons for bottles of wine, cushions, mini quilts, peg bags, draw string bags, purses, fabric Christmas decorations, Christmas bunting, tote bags and multiple other small items, together with second hand sewing related magazines and some books.

There is usually a good turnout from other members of the quilting community and general public. It’s a great opportunity to meet up with members of other groups and potential new members who have come to see what’s it’s all about.

On the day, it was very bad weather, and we didn’t feel we were going to get a big turnout, but overall, in spite of the weather we had quite a number of regular visitors to our event. After making their purchases, the visitors sat down with a piece of cake and a cuppa, as it was a great opportunity to have a chat and a catch up.

Blood Bikes
For this event, we had decided to support North West Blood Bikes for the wonderful work they do, helping to save lives in the North West. They put us in touch with a blood biker from Bolton. A volunteer turned up on a very rainy Saturday with his bike, and gave a speech part way through the day. Who talked about how they transport blood between hospitals and have even transported breast milk to help save a baby’s life. They can be called out in the middle of the night and he explained that the charity is all run by volunteers.  Visitors also had the opportunity to take a photo whilst sat on the motorbike which was great fun.

Our Raffle
We have a raffle at the charity day every year, and the main prize is a quilt hand made by all the members of the group. There were other prizes of hand made cushions, chocolates etc.

Final Count
When we counted up all the entrance fee money, the donations for cakes, amounts from the sales table and the raffle, this together with the funds from the donation buckets Blood Bikes had brought, came to £910. For a small quilting group we thought the day was a great success.