Blanket America- Patchwork Heritage Quilts

Since the days of mass immigration from Europe, the American quilting tradition has been a constantly evolving amalgam of color and texture, pattern and symbolism. Because immigrants from all over the world brought their quilts with them from their foreign lands, women of old began borrowing each others traditions. Eventually, these combinations of styles became known and the American Melting Pot quilts. In time, these quilts would become known as patchwork quilts.

Almost all women quilted, from farm wives to society matrons, young girls to young mothers. The only difference in their patchwork quilts was the quality, texture and colors of the fabrics used. Fabric society women used in patchwork quilts, such as linen and silk, where much more expensive and difficult to come by than cotton harvested from old shirts and sheets.

Young women aspired to have as many as 13 quilts in her possession as part of her dowry chest. When she became engaged a commemorative double wedding ring pattern quilt was usually added. As the years passed, important milestones such as marriages, births, current events and political affiliations were commemorated through quilts.

American history can be tracked through the American quilt. For example, it is easy to distinguish the difference between a Civil War Era quilt and a Spanish American War era quilt. As Americans moved westward, each state eventually had its own quilt. Economic times are reflected in the colors, fabric quality and fabric availability and pattern. During the Roaring 20’s crazy quilts made of satin or silk were popular. During the Great Depression sack cloth from old flour sacks was all that was available to women.

Today, the Patchwork Heritage quilt by Blanket America is commemorating and reflecting our nation’s current situation. Comprised of 13 different fabrics in red, white and blue that reflect current popular decorating hues, the Patchwork Heritage quilt represents the 13 original colonies. The reverse of the quilt features President Barak Obama’s inaugural address in entirety. The words “We know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness” are prominently displayed. To learn about the Patchwork Heritage quilt and how it helps America’s poor though the a buy one, give one charitable project, please visit Obama.

The Patchwork Heritage quilt by Blanket America enriches an old American tradition: commemorative quilting. From state quilts created by pioneers to the union quilts with red white and blue motifs, quilting has long since become a part of the fabric of our nation. Thanks to the Patchwork Heritage quilt, that fabric just got a little more interesting. http://www.blanketamerica.com

Since the recession began in 2008, much about our nation has changed. It’s not an underestimate to say that the recession has hit everyone like a sledge hammer. Just like at home, money problems can destroy unity. It is estimated that thirty five million Americans are living in poverty. When President Barak Obama gave his presidential inaugural address, he said “what is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American.”

Those words brought on an onslaught of volunteerism. But many in America have yet to do their part. The most helpful activities Americans can partake in are helping charities with donated goods, volunteering time; spending to stimulate the economy while at the same time saving to avoid financial disaster and creating jobs.

There are many opportunities to help charities. Throughout the nation, homeless shelters are full and food banks are running low. Donations of food and money are always welcomed at these establishments. Items such as shampoo, diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products are also desperately needed at food banks and shelters, though rarely received.

Food kitchens are another type of deserving charity that is in constant need of help. Soup kitchens rarely have enough volunteers to cook and clean. Food donations are also desperately needed. By helping charities such as these, you also help yourself. If you are one of the millions that were laid off as a result of the recession, you need a way to stand out among the competition in order to secure new employment. Volunteering is a great way to network, and an excellent way to promote yourself on your resume.

There is also a new charity called Blanket America that was formed in late 2009 as a response to President Barak Obama’s call to action. The Blanket America charitable organization created the Patchwork Heritage Collection, which is a buy one, give one charity. Not only do consumers help themselves by purchasing a commemorative statement quilt, but they help others through their purchase. Every quilt sold results in the donation of a warm blanket to someone in need. Gifts in Kind International, one of the nations biggest and best run charitable organizations, is acting as an intermediary to distribute the donated blankets. To learn more about how you can help Blanket America reach its goal of one million blankets donated, visit http://www.blanketamerica.com

One year ago, President Barak Obama gave his inaugural address to record crowds. His campaign was run on the promise of hope and change. With the anniversary of his speech upon us, it’s time to reflect on the past years events in order to take stock of where we are in our lives. What has Barak Obama done for this nation? By some estimates: nothing. But by others: everything.  What did that speech change about the lives of Americans?

The presidential inaugural address was a call to action for the American people. Obama made it clear that in our current situation it would take the help of each individual American to make a change within our nation. Obama said, “what is required of us now is a new era of responsibility—a recognition, on the part of every American” and “starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

With that call to action came a wave of response. American volunteerism surged and is still running strong. Immediately after that speech was made, food banks that were critically low began to slowly fill back up. Homeless shelters received much needed donations and charitable organizations that were nearly defunct due to high demand were given hope for tomorrow.

But, nearly a year later, some of those donations and food drives have slowed. Due to the economic recession and the war, our nation is facing times some are comparing to the Great Depression. That is why the Blanket America charitable organization was formed. The Patchwork Heritage quilt was created with the idea of uniting America under one blanket. Blanket America has come up with the perfect response to the presidential call to action.

When Obama said, “we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness,” Mesh Gelman and his design crew created the Patchwork Heritage quilt to benefit charity. For every quilt sold, a new fleece blanket is donated to charity. Gifts in Kind International, one of the largest charitable organizations in America, is acting as an intermediary to distribute the donated blankets to Americans in need. Their goal is to help one million Americans in need throughout the next year. To learn about how you can help, visit http://www.blanketamerica.com

Blanket America has taken on the challenge of responding to the president’s call to action by bridging the gap between business and charity.  With its uniquely designed Patchwork Heritage Quilt, Blanket America aims to spread the president’s wish for unity and strength among the American people through quilting and its Buy 1, Give 1 model.  This is a first among many charities today and thanks to the endless support of Gifts in Kind, Amazon.com, QVC, and other well-known companies, the company has become more active than ever in helping the poor and the needy. 

President Barack Obama praised the American people and culture for its “patchwork heritage” and encouraged everyone to join hands through the economic and political crises faced by the country today.  He did this through his inaugural speech last January 20, 2009, which is the highlight of the Patchwork Heritage Quilt.  Inspired by the president’s message of unity and strength, the Patchwork Heritage Quilt is designed with 13 different fabrics on the front representing the 13 original American colonies and the inaugural speech printed on a beautiful Lady Liberty background on the back of the quilt.  Quilting has long been a part of the American heritage and Blanket America is set in spreading the cause through this quilt. 

Blanket America aims to help at least a million poor American families through the Buy 1, Give 1 model.  By buying a Patchwork Heritage Quilt, a blanket is donated to one American family suffering from poverty.  Customers who are interested in purchasing can preorder from the official website itself or from Amazon.com and QVC’s website.  The prices for the quilts range from $59.99 to $99.99 with promos and discounts available if bought from QVC, JCPenney, or Amazon.com during certain times.  Blanket America hopes to increase that number once 2010 arrives by encouraging others to show their support through Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Here, visitors and fans can post their comments, stories, experiences with poverty, their concerns with the country’s issues, and their best wishes to Blanket America. 

Blanket America was able to get its big break when QVC hosted a show on December 28 and 29.  Featuring the Patchwork Heritage Quilt and Blanket America itself, viewers were able to gain information about the charity’s goal, projects, and the cause it supports.  Visit Blanket America’s website at http://www.blanketamerica.com for more information.  There is an interactive map of the USA, details about the charity, and a photo gallery of the Patchwork Heritage Quilt.  

Blanket America is gaining more and more support from fellow Americans as well as people from other countries around the world through its fan page and application in Facebook and Twitter.  On its Facebook page, there is an interactive map of the USA displaying the areas around the country suffering from poverty, a link to the main website, pictures of the Patchwork Heritage Quilt, and of course a link to the preorder page where interested customers can preorder the quilt and help the one million families in need.

Facebook and Twitter are just two of the many ways Blanket America has chosen to spread the word of charity and unity.  Knowing that 40 million people are left in the cold and have very scarce means of buying good clothing and shelter, the company started a Buy 1, Give 1 model in which a customer buys a Patchwork Heritage Quilt to be able to donate a blanket to a needy American family.  One million is the initial goal and that number is set to increase the following year.  Gifts in Kind, International, one of the best charities known in the country, has partnered with Blanket America by distributing the blankets to the needy. 

Other companies have also showed their support for the cause Blanket America believes in.  Names like Amazon.com, JCPenney, Fast Company, and QVC are found in the official website, which means they are willing to lend a hand in achieving the goals and the overall success of the project.  In fact, customers who want to preorder can visit Amazon.com or QVC with prices ranging from $50 to $99.99 depending on the size of the quilt.  The purchased quilts are set to be shipped mid-January. 

The Patchwork Heritage Quilt was a product born out of inspiration from the inaugural speech of President Barack Obama.  Lauding America as having a “patchwork heritage”, it was these words that Blanket America sprung from and the Patchwork Heritage Quilt was born.  The quilt is made in different sizes depending on its chosen function: it can be used as a throw blanket, a tapestry, or a piece of decorative bedding for the bedroom.  The front shows 13 attractive fabrics that, when patched together, forms the 13 original American colonies while the back displays the president’s inaugural speech on a beautifully done Lady Liberty background. 

Visit the official website at http://www.blanketamerica.com or Amazon.com and QVC to preorder the Patchwork Heritage Quilt.   

Blanket America is a new charity formed in 2009 with the goal in mind of helping one million needy Americans get a warm fleece blanket. Since the recession began in 2008, many Americans have been involuntarily plunged into poverty. It is estimated that in 2009 more than 35 million Americans were living in poverty. During President Barak Obama’s inaugural address on January 20^th, 2009 he called the nation to action. He also highlighted that “We know our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.”

In his Manhattan office, Mesh Gelman and his crew watched the inaugural address. When these words were spoken, an idea formed. Being a designer, Gelman latched on to the words patchwork heritage. In the coming months the Patchwork Heritage quilt was born. During this creative process, Gelman and his crew asked themselves, “What if the greatest economy in human history matched what it consumed with what it donated?” Gelman and his team soon came up with a way to make that concept a reality. They created a new and innovative way to give and receive: Buy one, Give one. In a nut shell, Blanket America will donate a new fleece blanket for every Patchwork Heritage quilt sold.

The design of the Patchwork Heritage quilt and its subsequent accent pieces combine to create a collection which is inspirational, patriotic and attractive. President Barak Obama’s call to action and patchwork heritage quote is highlighted as part of the entire presidential inaugural address printed on the back of the quilt. The face of the quilt is an eye catching combination of red, white and blue patchwork blocks sewn together in a traditional patchwork design. Each of the thirteen different fabrics represents one of the thirteen original colonies.

The decorative pillow shams compliment the quilt to perfection. The same patchwork design that graces the face of the quilt also graces the shams. The decorative throw pillows are an awesome accent piece, stating in graceful print that “we know our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.” Two American flags and the American Bald Eagle in flight also grace the pillows.

It’s no surprise that when Mesh Gelman appeared on the Today Show to help kick off the project with style that pre-orders rose exponentially. The Today Show and Gelman used their platform to promote the Blanket America project and to highlight the growing poverty problem in America. Hopes are high that Blanket America can reach and surpass its projected goal of one million blankets donated to charity.