The Boston Project is excited to involve volunteers from around New England in making homemade sleeping bags, called "Ugly Quilts," for those homeless. We invite you to join us!
The originator of this project is Flo Wheatley, who stitched together the very first Ugly Quilt in 1985 in rural Pennsylvania. Her ministry, My Brother's Keeper, has helped to spread this compassionate project across the country. Since this humble beginning, volunteers from coast to coast have created and given tens of thousands of Ugly Quilts to men, women, and children who do not have a warm place to call home.
Since 2003, The Boston Project has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to complete several hundred Ugly Quilts. The majority of these are distributed on the streets of Boston through Starlight Ministries. You can imagine how valuable a warm sleeping bag might be on a cold New England night.
How Can You Help?
Donate
We need many different materials to assemble Ugly Quilts. Many of these items are probably sitting in your closets or attic. Donations are accepted throughout the year. All donations can be dropped off at The Boston Project's office at 670 Washington Street in Dorchester. (No pickups at this time.)
Examples of good Ugly Quilt Stuffing:
- Bedspreads
- Bed sheets
- Pillowcases
- Blankets
- Mattress pads
- Quilt batting
- Airline blankets
- Felt
- Leftover sewing fabric (soft, cottons, etc.)
Examples of materials that are NOT usable for Ugly Quilts:
- Dense fabrics, such as denim, suede, heavy drapes
- Towels and washcloths
- Fabric smaller than 3-foot square
- Dirty, moldy, or unwashed materials
- Electric blankets
Other Sewing Supplies Needed
- Neckties
- Crochet thread, size 3 (all colors)
- Small sewing scissors
- Needles - large size (#18) with sharp points and large eyes
- Needle cushions
Items Needed to Distribute with the Sleeping Bags
Each sleeping bag is given out with goodies that will make a person's day a little bit better, warmer, or just bring a smile to their face. Please give smaller sized items, as people typically have to carry most of their possessions with them. We accept only PERSONAL (HOTEL) SIZE toiletries.
- Winter hats
- Winter gloves
- Winter scarves
- White tube socks
- Bars of soap - HOTEL SIZE
- Shampoo - HOTEL SIZE
- Lotion - HOTEL SIZE
- Deodorant - HOTEL SIZE
- Toothpaste - HOTEL SIZE
- Toothbrush
- Pocket-size Bibles
- Deck of playing cards
Volunteer with The Boston Project!
We encourage church groups to contact us about ways they can be involved.Make Your Own
For detailed directions on how to make your own homemade sleeping bag, view the plans. Making one outer shell (steps 1-2) normally takes about an hour for 1-2 people (basic sewing machine skills needed). Stuffing and sewing a sleeping bag (steps 3-11) takes about 1-2 hours for a team of 6-8 people (no skills needed).
Please contact Keith or Liz at 617-929-0925 or by using our contact form with any questions.
