The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild is collecting quilts and blocks for the victims of the shooting at Pulse nightclub on June 12, and MQG members around the world are invited to participate. The goal is to gather enough quilts to help not only the victims who survived, but the families of victims who perished, as well as first responders, nurses, police officers, etc.

The Orlando MQG is asking for a minimum of 102 quilts — one for each survivor, and one for the families of each victim who perished. Any quilts that surpass that number will be given to first responders, and then distributed to the LGBT community in Orlando via organizations like The Center and Zebra Coalition.

Rainbow hearts are the design theme, and members are asked to submit either finished quilts (strongly encouraged) or 10-inch blocks with at least one heart. See the gallery below for block and quilt ideas, or visit our Pinterest board for more inspiration. You can also use this tutorial for a 10-inch heart block by Cluck Cluck Sew (or this paper piecing version by Elizabeth Dackson).

If you’re part of a guild, we encourage you to sign up as a whole guild and coordinate locally to make a finished quilt (or quilts). This will help ease the strain on Orlando MQG members. They’re asking for quilts larger than 48″ x 60″ but no larger than a twin. The Orlando MQG is also accepting quilt tops, binding and backings.

Click the button below for further information on how to participate.

Blocks are due August 15 and quilts are due September 15. Thank you for your support!