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According to Wooster (1972) a quilt is “any textile sandwich of three layers stitched together to cause them to function as one layer” (p.ix). However, more than just pieces of fabric with a design, a quilt provides warmth and comfort. This was the goal for a 3rd grade Quaker First Day class from Pennsylvania, to make a healing quilt for any one who was sick, injured, or just plain down-hearted. When asked to describe what they would want done for them if they were sick, these 8-year-olds drew with fabric paint on muslin squares symbols of what would cheer them up if they “weren't feeling so good”. These brave children under the guidance of one nurse –mom and two quilter moms completed the healing quilt with scraps of fabric. The quilt was presented to the Quaker Meeting on Christmas Eve 1992 complete with the instruction to please call any of those 10 children and they would bring the quilt to your home or even hospital bed. The additional instruction was to please put some energy back into the quilt when you are done.

This quilt is now 12 years old and hung at a prestigious Quaker quilt show in Philadelphia with 200-year old quilts. But more importantly more than 150 people in 50 different families have received loving care from this piece of art made by children. This poster session will detail the process of designing the quilt, showcase the simple beauty of the colors and design, and share details of the position that the presenter now holds namely “Keeper of the Healing Quilt”.

(Wooster, Ann-Sargent. 1972. Quiltmaking: The Modern Approach to a Traditional Craft. New York: Drake Publishers, Inc.)