The quilt donated to Altadena Fire victims feels like a hug

Shaadee Ighanian didn’t lose his home in Eaton Fire, but when she did it with the baby’s close friend, the former children’s clothing designer hopes to help by making quilts for 7-month-old Luna.
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When the Ignani began to piece together the flax quilts, she thought of all the displaced people. “I want to make a quilt for everyone, but that’s impossible,” she said.
So, a week after the fire began, the Ignani also sold quilts and sweatshirts on Etsy and posted on her Instagram account, she is looking for quilts to benefit people affected by the Eton fire. There were only about 1,000 followers at the time and she asked others to spread the word.
“For those who have lost everything, the quilt is more than just fabric – it’s a tangible hug, a moment of chaos. So I’m going to connect with my stitching to help achieve that.” Subtitles write road.

Shaadee Ighanian possesses a linen quilt that initiates her base layer motion stitch, the quilt is made by Stitch: Altadena’s quilt.

The Ignani embroidered her name on the back of the quilt she had for 7-month-old Luna.
The Ignani knows that she can’t replace what the Altadena community has lost, but her grassroots quilt movement, Stitch by Stitch: Altadena’s quilt, can provide comfort for people living in temporary housing. “I think it’s a gesture that lets them know we’re here. We see you,” she said.
It took off. “There is a pour for people who want to help,” she said. “It has a rhythm and more and more people are starting to republish it and blow it up. It resonates with people.”
Some donated heirloom quilts struggling in the closet. A 90-year-old woman gave her a quilt to hide. There are several quilts that provide new blankets. When they asked for deadlines, the Ignanis told them that none of them were. “It will take a long time to rebuild,” she whispered.




Many people who donate quilts include handwritten notes to the recipient.
At the time of publication, more than 100 people responded and promised or donated 70 quilts. The quilts are uniquely designed, colours, fabrics and sizes, all come from Los Angeles, Oregon, Ohio, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom.
She shared with her husband and 7-year-old daughter the living room of the Glendale bungalow, the Ignis joke may have unexpectedly started a nonprofit. She smiled and said, “It’s just me, my notebook and a bunch of quilts.” She pointed to the colorful blankets, many of which had handwritten notes attached to the fabric.
On the receiving end, people started to contact her, including many people who represented an unknown friend to contact her. “I asked them what their needs were,” she said. “I sent them my stock images to choose what they wanted. The quilt was like a hug. When you wrap yourself in a layer of fabric , you will feel that all the time is spent making them.”

In the living room, octagonal octopus and other sewn pieces are shown on the flannel board above her sewing machine.
Adding to goodwill, the Ignanians asked the donors of quilts to include “Love Notes” and told the backstory about quilts and the people who made them. A woman wrote a note saying she provided the first quilts she made 20 years ago. “The quilt looks perfect, brand new.” “I think it’s special. The quilt is spread throughout the entire circle: this woman is giving her first quilt to someone she doesn’t even know.”
Wendy Self, a 55-year-old occupational therapist, was deeply moved when she picked up a quilt at Ighanian’s home. “Shade’s daughter is lying on the sofa under the quilt made by her mother. She said to me, “I’m sorry, you lost the house,” without mentioning it. I told her, “I’m sorry, too, but many good people are helping us. . “Sell said, tore. “The quilt was so comforting – I sent my 20-year-old daughter back to UCSB, but witnessing this little girl contacting the service and generous generosity really stuck with me. ”
Since Self has lived in Altadena with his family for more than 20 years, she has owned several quilts before her house was burned down. Despite the loss, she found hope in the support of the community.
“The art has the power to improve people when you feel you can’t do anything,” Self said. “The quilt is exactly what I need now.”
The Ignani also has a limited living room in her sewing studio, which is also her sewing studio, and she is trying to radiate the quilt when she receives it. She has handed some of them to make it easier for people, including about 14 arrivals to the Altadena Kindred Free Store, which disappeared in 15 minutes. She also met a woman in Joann’s parking lot on request. “That’s the best part,” the Ignani said.
As a designer for the gap and old navy, the Ignani says she feels far from the act of making clothes. “The design is part of the business community,” she said. But her hand-made and hand-applied sweatshirts, some of which are made of hand-dyed fabrics, can put her in full control. “It’s really satisfying to do everything with my hands,” she said. “My daughter has a strong desire after birth. I’ll try to go to the dye bath when she naps.” Ighanian dyed it with natural color The material made the first quilt for the doll of my daughter Paloma. This leads to a crib-sized quilt, followed by a sweatshirt. “It’s fun,” she said of custom-made hearts, cherries, pink octopus and evil eyes, and stuck to her sweatshirt. “They made me happy.”


Ighanian, wearing one of her hand-painted sweatshirts, received donations of quilts from the country and the UK.
Heather Praun, co-owner of plant materials in the Garden Center, said the simple act of kindness of the Ignanis has left her and her family not alone after losing their home. “I was so happy when Shaadee took me the quilt,” Plauen said. “It was such a happy feeling. Her generosity and kindness overwhelmed me. It was a beautiful quilt. I was Love watching it and using it every day.”
Plaun said the quilt reminded her that even though Altadena lost her home, school and business, she was still part of a community that supported each other.
“It’s really frustrating,” Plaun admitted. “But we need to continue to help each other so we can move forward.”
If you want to donate quilts to victims of the Eaton Fire, please contact Ighanian Shaadeemae On Instagram.