Helping Others- It's a Stitch...

Danielle and fellow RSM co-workers during one of her classes

Editor’s Note: Danielle Montes was one of nice RSM US LLP (RSM) employees given an opportunity to “pursue their passions” as a result of the firm’s Pursue Your Passion (90-90-9) program. Through Pursue Your Passion, RSM is supporting personal and professional aspirations by providing nine employees with $90,000 ($10,000 each) and nine paid days off to fulfill their dreams. Danielle’s dream? Take quilting classes to fine-tune skills to make and donate 24 quilts and 50 receiving blankets to Threads of Love, a nonprofit focused on premature babies; Setton Home, an organization that teaches parenting and life skills to teenage mothers; and Quilts for Kids, which focuses on children with lift-threatening illnesses, children of abuse and children living at or below the poverty level. Read Danielle’s story:

Before I begin to share my quilting journey, let me explain the quilting process. A quilt is like a sandwich in that it has three layers. The first is a quilt top, which is comprised of fabrics (typically cotton) cut in different sizes and sewn together to create an overall quilt design – this is the side of the quilt that has all the decorative elements. The second (middle) layer is the batting, which is the filler and is typically cotton or polyester. The backing acts as the bottom layer and is made up of one type of fabric. Quilting is the act of stitching all three layers together, and can be done either by hand or machine. Quilt blocks are individual pieces of fabric used to make patterns on quilt tops. Multiple blocks are sewn together to create a quilt. The size of the baby and children’s quilts made for donation are approximately 36” to 40” x 40” to 46”. That said, I’ve learned that it takes about 10 hours to make a quilt from start to finish, with more or less time needed, depending on the intricacy of the quilt top.

I have committed to sewing 24 quilts and 50 receiving blankets for donation. In addition, I have committed to teaching others how to sew and quilt a combined total of 16 quilts and 50 receiving blankets. Both projects are currently still in progress, but will be completed by December.

I began my Pursue Your Passion journey by researching sewing machines, quilting supplies, materials and classes. I chose a nice computerized sewing machine that was larger than the one I originally owned (making quilting a much easier process) and began watching countless YouTube videos on quilting as I researched and signed up for lessons offered in the San Antonio area where I live. I signed up for my first quilt class at Joann’s Fabric Store. It was a three-hour quilt block class that taught me how to assemble one block (a small baby quilt is comprised of anywhere between four to eight blocks). I needed a lot of guidance at first, but, by the end of the class, I felt comfortable enough to cut and piece a quilt block, although the thought of assembling a quilt and completing it was still daunting. I signed up for a private lesson where I was taught the basics of machine quilting and binding. I took an additional four classes and bought and studied quilt books and TV shows. Through this study and training, I can officially say I am now a quilter! By the end of August, I had quilted and donated five quilts for Threads of Love and Quilts for Kids, and pieced an additional total of 15 quilt tops. I’m now in the process of quilting the tops, and starting the final four quilts to reach my personal goal of 24 quilts.

Once I became a confident quilter, I began offering classes at my local office to interested co-workers. The response was amazing! I held three learn-to-sew classes, and one learn-to-quilt class between August and September, teaching a total of 12 individuals, many of whom had never touched a sewing machine. Through these classes, a combined total of 30 receiving blankets and one team quilt have been made for donation. I’ve also had one private quilting class with a teenager at my church, which will aid in her completion of a personal quilt project. Experienced quilters in the firm have also offered their time and talent to make quilts for donation, resulting in three completed quilts and two currently in progress. I plan to offer additional classes in October and November at work for both coworkers and their children and at my local church to teach others and make additional items for donation.

It’s been a wonderful experience to see others learn how to use a machine and have fun creating something from scratch – and we had such fun doing it! Some feel comfortable only sewing receiving blankets, others are excited to learn to quilt, for both volunteer and personal reasons. One individual has borrowed one of my quilting books and has already begun sewing two quilts as gifts for her family, while another has sewn a quilt and has a class under her belt. Others are excited to learn what they saw their grandmothers or mothers do, but never tried themselves. And some have children who would love to learn. I am excited to have my passion become another’s passion.

I have not had the opportunity to interact with any direct recipients of the donated quilts or receiving blankets, as they are donated to individuals through the organizations I support, but I know from the coordinators with at Threads of Love, Quilts for Kids and Seton Home that the donations are needed and greatly appreciated. After receiving the Pursue Your Passion (90-90-9) notification, a co-worker hugged me and, with tears in her eyes, said that she had given birth to a preemie and that during that difficult time, she herself had received love and comfort through donated receiving blankets, handmade clothing and a quilt from Threads of Love, and that it was such a blessing in her life.

I am grateful to have been given this opportunity to learn to quilt and share my knowledge with others to make an impact in my community. I am also grateful for the overwhelming support I have received from the firm and fellow co-workers.