If Taylor Swift can knit on tour and Billie Eilish rocks hand-stitched fits, who’s to say quilting isn’t having a modern-day moment? Once seen as a quiet pastime, it is now a form of slow art making a loud comeback — mixing design, storytelling and sustainability in a way that rivals any trending aesthetic on TikTok. From patchwork jackets on runways to cozy-core décor on Instagram, quilting is less about old-school tradition and more about creating something personal, beautiful and completely original.
At the heart of this meaningful initiative is Sue Allen, a talented quilter from Chesapeake with more than 25 years of experience, who has been leading a devoted team of volunteers since 1999 to craft and donate comforting, child-focused quilts to those in need. Each week, the group gathers in a spacious, well equipped room at the church, filled with tables, sewing machines and an array of colorful fabrics, to design and sew quilts using child-themed patterns and materials, ensuring each creation is both unique and comforting.
“Our mission is to help children in need,” Allen says. “We’ve been fortunate to have volunteers join us who bring years of sewing and service experience, and their talents truly helped lay the foundation for this project.”
What began as a simple Sunday School conversation about community volunteerism at Churchland Baptist Church has blossomed into a decades-long mission of compassion, creativity and care. Since 1999, Allen, a skilled quilter and dedicated member of the church, has led a team of seven volunteers in creating quilts for children in need around the country. For more than two decades, this effort has resulted in nearly 10,000 handmade quilts, each one uniquely designed with colorful children’s fabrics and playful patterns. “The most important thing we do is help children in need,” Allen says. “Fortunately, we’ve had people join our group who have extensive experience in both sewing and volunteering, and it was their talent that was the real driving force in the beginning.”
Allen and her all-woman team meet weekly, pouring care and attention into each stitch to ensure every quilt is not only beautiful but also full of warmth and comfort. “Since fabric is so expensive now, we try to shop mostly at thrift stores in addition to buying in bulk, especially cotton. We also accept donations which can be very helpful,” Allen adds.
Once several quilts are completed, they are donated to the Khedive Shriners Roadrunners in Hampton Roads. This organization partners with Shriners Children’s to distribute the quilts to hospitals, including Shriners Children’s Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Through this collaboration, Allen’s quilts have reached children both locally and out of state, offering comfort during their medical journeys. With more than 9,400 quilts already delivered and the 10,000 milestone within reach, Allen is hopeful for the future. “We make very nice-looking quilts with a lot of effort going into each one,” she says. “We’re excited for what’s to come and hope to pass this spirit of generosity down through generations.”
When asked what she hopes children feel upon receiving one of their quilts, Allen says, “I hope they experience a sense of excitement and comfort during what is often a very tough and stressful time. Every quilt we make is thoughtfully designed with children in mind, and I’m incredibly proud of the work we do. My hope is that we can continue to carry on this group’s legacy for generations to come. Over the years, we’ve seen some volunteer turnover, but I’m proud to say I’ve been with the group since the very beginning.”
In her free time, Allen enjoys visiting her daughter in Lynchburg, where she’s a proud grandmother to seven children—two biological and five adopted, including four from China and one from Africa. “Spending time with them brings me so much joy,” she says with a smile.
Through each quilted stitch, Allen and her team weave not just fabric, but compassion, care and hope. As they approach their 10,000th quilt, the Churchland quilters are proving that even the smallest acts of kindness — like a handmade quilt — can leave a lasting impact on the lives of children near and far. With each quilt, Sue Allen and her team continue to wrap children in warmth, kindness, with a reminder that they are not alone.
TO THE POINT:
Churchland Baptist Church
Address: 3031 Churchland Blvd., Chesapeake, VA 23321
Contact: Sue Allen
Phone: 757-484-2373
