September 11, 2017

Dear Friends, We haven't added to the blog in a very long time. Today's date brings back so many memories, I thought today is a day of remembering..... The attack on our country on September 11, 2001....and how quilters respond!
At Little Quilts, we have been blessed over the years to make friends with quilters not only in the USA but across the globe. It was most evident what an impact friendships have, when sixteen years ago, on Sept. 13, 2001, we sent an email to the then 500 names on our email newsletter list. We asked quilters to make a small red, white and blue quilt not larger than 24" on a side, send it to us and we would forward them to the families of the police and  firefighters who were lost in the attacks on 9/11. Amazingly that email was forwarded to other quilters and their friends, and within 1 month, we received over 2300 small quilts! We were so touched by this outpouring .... that we laid them out on plastic drop cloths in the parking lot of the shop. 
The Marietta Fire Department came with the bucket truck with ladders to raise up high enough for a photo. Even I went up the ladder to see them! (That's me, standing in the bottom left corner!) Shown here, is what the generosity of quilters around the world sent! This picture was even shown on the Today Show; the maker of the quilt with the big red heart, on the bottom right side, called us and said she could see her quilt on the TV, so she knew we received it! Some quilts arrived with letter of thanks for giving quilters and opportunity to express their feelings of the tragedy and gratefulness of the first responders. With the help of our staff and many friends, we mailed the small quilts to recipients, and moved on; knowing that we had extended the hand of friendship through these small quilts. 
The terrorist attacks against the USA had a profound effect on everyone, and the making of these small quilts, hopefully brought comfort and love to the families of firefighters, police officers, and emergency workers. Today we remember the tragedy, and also share this photo of quilters reaching out to help and comfort others.
Little Quilts started as a wholesale pattern business in 1986, writing books, and evolved into a retail store from 1998-2015; when I retired and closed the store. The online business, littlequilts.com remains today, as a source for Little Quilts books, patterns, and fabric. This quilt project with the 2300 small quilts, is probably our proudest accomplishments, thanks to many generous quilters around the world.
The country is now in the midst of dealing with the recovery of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. I know quilters from all over will help wherever they can by monetary donations, and volunteering wherever we're needed. Quilters are the best!

Shown here is one of the pages from our book "Patriotic Little Quilts" published by Martingale & Company. We were writing this book before the attacks of 9/11. Shown here are a few of the quilts that appear in the 'Gallery of American Tribute Quilts'. Five pages in the book show some of the quilts we received. 

I know we all have memories of where we were that fateful day 16 years ago. Our country continues to prosper and grow. May God continue to bless all of you, and God Bless America.
Mary Ellen Von Holt