Blanket Makers meet to share and learn

More than 40 women gathered in the MCC Material Resource Centre on November 19 th to learn more about blanket making and share expertise with each other. The women represented blanket making groups from Vancouver to Harrison, who meet regularly in homes or churches to make blankets that are sent overseas.

There were many reasons for bringing these groups together. First and foremost was to thank them for their contribution to MCC.

“We really wanted to say thank you and show our appreciation for the ministry that they participate in,” says Dave Hiebert, manager of the MR Centre. “But we also wanted to talk about how we can strengthen our relationships and work more closely together in the blanket making process.”

Hiebert and his assistant Cale Stanage, explained some of the challenges they face when receiving and distributing blankets. The women found it helpful to hear where the blankets are shipped to and how they are used and received in other countries. Blankets that are too lightweight aren't warm enough for cold nights in a refugee tent. Lightly coloured fabric shows dirt too quickly which can be discouraging when there are no laundry facilities available.

But part of the information sharing also included networking with one another. The women began sharing their own production processes, sharing tips and tricks in making blankets together. They all shared a common desire to do this work for MCC; many having done this for decades.

For Darlene Driedger, who attends South Langley MB Church, the seed for sewing was planted as a young child when she attended “Nähverein” or sewing circle with her mother.

“I was about five years old,” she recalls. “I'd sit underneath the quilting frame and watch the needles go in and out below the blankets they were making. And I'd listen to the German conversation, the fellowship that was happening. It was a good feeling.”

When she became a mother herself, Darlene began making baby blankets. When the children were married, she made wedding quilts for each one. She began attending her first blanket-making group at Cedar Valley Mennonite Church in Mission. When she moved to Langley, she started up a group there.

In contrast to that, the women also heard from Jason Wood who is a third year student at Columbia Bible College in the Community Development stream of the Biblical Studies program. Jason shared from his own personal journey as he began to see how service goes hand in hand with sharing the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

“What does a simple act like sewing fabric have to do with such a huge concept as the Kingdom of God? Everything,” he said. “I have learned that loving God and loving my neighbour is in fact almost completely composed of simple acts – a smile, washing the dishes, carrying furniture for a friend who is moving. Some of you have been making blankets since before I was born, to send blankets to people in need all over the world. You have been a living witness to the rich, diverse, spiritual and physical Kingdom of God, and for that I want to thank you.”

The women enjoyed some refreshments and visited with the women in the MCC Quilting Room before heading home.

“It was a great morning,” Dave said. “This is exactly the kind of interaction we hoped would happen.”

To learn more about blanket making or to get in touch with a blanket making group in your area, contact Dave at the MCC Material Resource Centre: 604.850.6639 or toll free at 1.888.662.6337 or email warehouse@mccbc.com   To read Jason's full story, click here.