The idea to create the quilts came from an episode of "This Is Us" where one of the characters was holding her baby in the NICU.

“My mom firmly believed that anyone who sleeps under a quilt is covered in love,” said Nancy Noever, Janet’s daughter. “She wanted to give that gift to the vulnerable new life in the NICU and their parents.”

Janet passed away in February 2020 before the quilts were finished, but the amazing local quilting community and Nancy ensured that Janet’s gift – both the quilts and her amazing talents – were shared. Janet had pieced together the intricate quilt tops and the Sunday Sew and Sews group finished the quilts after her death, adding the batting, backs and quilt stitching. Every quilt was unique, and now they are being used to make sure our hospitals' tiniest patients are covered in love. 

“I'm so grateful for the Sunday Sew and Sews' generosity and skills to be able to complete the quilts for donation,” Nancy said. “This donation really embodies the quilting bee tradition, where the quilters would get together to help each other finish quilts to help families in the community. It's a modern example of the quilting community supporting their larger community.”

The finished quilts were delivered to Madison Hospital and Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children in September 2020, and will be loved by families for years to come. Thank you to the Noever family and the Sunday Sew and Sews for giving so generously of their time and talents.

Learn more about this special gift from Barbara Black, Sunday Sew and Sews founder, in her blog post Charity Quilts and the Joy of Giving.