Donated quilts for Altadena Fire Fire victims feel “like a hug”

Shaade Ighanian did not lose her home in the Eaton Fire, but when her close friends did with a baby, the former designer for children's clothing wanted to help by making a quilt for 7 -month -old luna.

When Ighanian started to put the linen cover together, she thought of everyone who had been driven out. “I wanted to make a quilt for everyone,” she said, “but that was impossible.”

A week after the start of the fire, Ighanian, who also sells Quilts and Sweatshirts on Etsy, has on her Instagram account that she was looking for people affected by the Eaton Fire. With only about 1,000 followers at that time, she asked others to spread the word.

“For those who have lost everything, a quilt is more than just fabric – it is a tangible hug, a moment of peace in chaos. So I turn to my colleagues to achieve this, ”says the caption.

Shaade Ighanian holds the linen quilt, which started its base campaign campaign from Stitch: Quilts for Altadena.

Ighanian embroidered her name on the back of the quilt, which she made for a 7 -month -old Luna.

Ighanian knew that she could not replace what the Altadena community had lost, but its base -Quilt campaign, Stitch by Stitch: Quilts for Altadena, could offer people who live in temporary apartments. “I considered it a gesture to let her know that we are here. We'll see you, ”she said.

It took off. “There was an exhaust from people who wanted to help,” she said. “It got its rhythm and more and more people began to publish it and it blew up. It was resonance in humans. “

Some donated heirlooms to Quilts who had smacked in cupboards. A 90-year-old woman gave her entire quilt supply. Several quilts offered to make new blankets. When they asked for the deadline, Ighanian told them that there is none. “It will take people for a long time to rebuild,” she said quietly about her friends.

Many of the people who donated quilts have stopped recipients of handwritten notes.

At the time of the press, more than 100 people reacted and 70 quilts were either promised or donated. These quilts, each unique in design, color, fabric and size, come from all over Los Angeles, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom.

She may have accidentally founded a non-profit organization from the living room of the Glendale Bungalow, which she shares with her husband and 7-year-old daughter Ighanian jokes. “It is only me, my notebook and a stack of quilts in my living room,” she said, laughing and pointing to the colorful blankets, many of them with handwritten notes of encouragement that were connected to the fabric.

At the received end, people turn to them, including many who have contacted them on behalf of overwhelmed friends. “I ask her what your needs are,” she said. “I send you pictures of what I have in stock and let them select what they want. Quilts are like a hug. You can feel all the time that you spent you doing when you wrap yourself in the layers of fabric. ”

In the living room, squids and other quilted pieces for the Shaade Mae clothing line from Igighanian are displayed on a flannelboard over their sewing machine.

Ighanian added the further good will and asked the people who had donated quilts, a “love letter” and a background story about the quilt and the person who made it. A woman wrote a note in which she said she had offered one of her first quilts she made over 20 years ago. “The quilt looks perfect and brand new,” said Ighanian. “I found that special. The quilt closed the circle: This woman gave one of her first quilts to someone she didn't even know. “

Wendy Self, a 55-year-old occupational therapist, was deeply moved when she recorded her quilt at Ighanian's house. “Shaade's daughter was on the couch under a quilt that her mother had made. She said to me: “I'm so sorry that you lost your house”, without being asked. I said to her, “I'm also sorry, but many nice people help us,” said Self and teared up. “The quilt is so calming-I sent my 20-year-old daughter back to UCSB with him-but witness to the exposure of this young girl towards services and generosity that I really stayed with me.”

Self, who has lived with her family in Altadena for more than 20 years, had several quilts before her home burned. Despite the loss, she found hope in the support of the community.

“Art has the power to raise people when they feel that they do nothing,” said Self. “A quilt is exactly what I need right now.”

With a limited place in her living room, which also serves as a sewing studio, Igighanian tries to publish the quilts while she receives it. She spent some of them by hand to make it easier for people, including about 14 of the Altadena Kindred Free Store, which had disappeared in 15 minutes. She also met a woman in a Joann parking lot at her request. “This is the best,” said Ighanian, “she spent.”

As a designer for the gap and the old navy, Ighanian said that she feels far from the production of clothing. “There were so many hands into the design that is part of the corporate world,” she said. However, her hand -lowned sweatshirts, some of which are made with hand -colored fabrics, enable her to have control. “It is so satisfactory to do everything with my hands,” she said. “I had such a strong urge to create after the birth of my daughter. I would try to get into the dye while she fucked the nap. “Ighanian made her first quilt for her daughter Paloma's doll with natural colored materials. This led to a crib size and later to sweatshirts. “It's fun,” she said of the custom heart, cherries, pink ink and evil eyes that she quilt and applied to sweatshirts. “You make me happy.”

Ighanian, who wears one of her hand-fitting sweatshirts, has received quilt donations from all over the country and from the United Kingdom.

Heather Praun, co -owner of plant material, a garden center, said Igighanian's simple act of friendliness felt less alone after the loss of her home. “I was overjoyed when Shaade brought me a quilt,” said Praun. “It was such a happy feeling. Their generosity and friendliness overwhelmed me. It's such a nice quilt. I love to see it every day and use it. “

Praun said the quilt reminds her that Altadena, although she has lost houses, schools and companies, is still part of a community that supports each other.

“It was so depressing,” admitted Paun. “But we still have to help each other so that we can go forward.”

If you want to donate a quilt victim of the Eaton Fire, contact Igighanian at Shadeemae On Instagram.