Comfort Quilts
Our guild members have always enjoyed helping others and to formalize this generosity, a group called "The Comfort Quilts Committee” was established to provide assistance to our generous quilters and to organize the delivery of their work to others. The Guild distributes quilts to many organizations and individuals including:
Nanaimo: VISCAN (Vancouver Island Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) for preteen and teens, NICU, renal and palliative care units,
Parksville: Arrowsmith Seniors Stanford Seniors Village, Trillium Lodge and Trillium Hospice,Haven House, SOS Meals on care Wheels – Christmas placemats and stocking program.
Qualicum Beach: Eagle Park Care Facility, Qualicum Beach Manor
Port Alberni: Abbeyfield, Alberni Valley Shelter Fir Park, Village Ty Watson Hospice,Sage Haven Society, Pacific Rim Children and Families, West Haven Nursing Home, Oomiigsu – Aboriginal Mother and Child Center, and Salvation Army(20 Christmas Stockings).
Individual quilts are also given to seniors having hospice in their homes. Quilt donations are given at times in response to specific situations or circumstances of need.
The Guild also will donate a quilt annually to the local churches that facilitate our meetings and Sew Groups (Knox United, Parksville and St. Marks Anglican, Qualicum Beach). Quilt donations are given at times in response to specific situations or circumstances of need.
Members Role
As a guild member, we hope you will make one quilted item each year for charity. You can use fabrics and kits supplied by the Comfort Quilt Committee or donate a quilt made with your own fabric.
Comfort Quilts Days
Twice a year the Guild holds a Comfort Quilt Day where members get together and sew, to make lots of quilts to distribute. It's a great time to make progress while enjoying the company. There are lots of materials, kits and patterns onsite.
There are also sew days specifically to develop kits and sew Christmas placemats and stockings. Finished stocking and placements are then given to various agencies such as SOS and Meals on Wheels.
WASHING FABRICS: Not all fabrics require washing. Wash and dry ALL flannels or wide back fabrics, and intensely or bright coloured fabrics.
Use only SCENT FREE Products for washing and drying.
FABRICS: Use 100% cotton fabrics for quilt tops and most backings.
Backing: can be “flat cotton” or flannel. Adult quilt backing can be of soft stable fabric such as a low nap fleece and Fireside.
Batting: Use cotton or cotton blend batting. The Comfort Quilt Committee provides batting and backing to finish tops made by our members, including when the tops are made using member owned fabric.
Quilting: Hand or machine quilt 4” apart. Do not tie the quilt or sew with invisible thread, buttons, or other embellishments.
Kits: We provide kits for tops, and kits “to be quilted” kits which include a sewn top, batting, backing, and a Guild label.
Labels: Guild labels are available and must be sewn on the backing side of each quilt.
Quilt Sizes: all numbers are given in inches.
NICU: Preemie wraps – double flannel sided approx. 10 x 20, (envelope style).
- Preemie quilts – 40 x 40 minimum, flannel backing, batting optional
Isolette covers - are used to soften lighting and noise in NICU. Requested sizes are 42 x 52 or 44 x 54 to fit over an isolette. Use ONLY cotton or flannel. N0 synthetics please.
Spit up cloths – 8 x 10 – 1 layer flannel with serge edges
Baby quilts: Up to 44 x 48. Minimum 40 x 40.
Lap quilts: Approx. 50 x 60, cotton backing
Care Homes – 44 x 48 or larger, Men's quilts 48 x 60 or larger, cotton or flannel backing.
- Fidget quilts are also appreciated; and for safety ensure all items are secure when pulled or when being “fidgeted” with. 18 to 22 square
Hospice – Approx. 60 x 72, cotton or flannel backing
Youth and Adult quilts – minimum 50 x 68- 72 or larger preferred
- Placemats – Approx. 12 x 18 regular or holiday prints.
We can find a home for larger quilts, wall hangings, etc.
Christmas stockings: Various sizes but 18 – 20 length minimum
Stocking Pattern Download – just click
Revised: April 2026