Wrapped In Comfort
Every day, Carmen steps into her cozy, light-filled living room which she lovingly transformed into a full-blown quilting studio. With a custom-made cutting island, a sewing table, and an ironing station, it's a creative space she designed with help from an interior designer. And it’s here, surrounded by bolts of colourful fabric, that Carmen brings delight and comfort to others—one quilt at a time.
Carmen began quilting in 2014 after a friend encouraged her to try it. As a lifelong lover of arts and crafts, she was immediately hooked. “Quilting relaxes me,” she says. “I get so into it, I don’t realize how much time has passed until I feel hungry!” Her favourite part of quilting is choosing bold colours and stitching blocks together to make something vibrant and cheerful.
When a friend who sells fabric online experienced a basement flood that damaged 32 bolts of fabric, she offered them to Carmen—who washed every piece and turned them into beautiful gifts. Since then, she’s made close to 350 quilts—many of them donated to residents at Perley Health.
The idea came from her friend Joan, a fellow volunteer. “Joan told me how much the residents love receiving lap quilts and blankets, and how meaningful they are,” Carmen says. “That’s all it took—I got started right away.” Joan now picks up five or ten quilts at a time and brings them to the Perley Health Foundation, where they’re given to seniors and Veterans living in long-term care.
Carmen’s generosity goes beyond time and skill. Although she rarely knows who receives each quilt, she puts her heart into every stitch. “A quilt needs a home,” she says. “I would never sell one. I donate them because I want someone to feel special. Especially our Veterans—they deserve to know they’re appreciated.”
Michelle, another volunteer at Perley Health who helps distribute the quilts, sees the impact firsthand. “When a resident receives a handmade quilt or blanket, you can see the joy and gratitude on their face. They are bright, warm, and personal—and often become treasured family keepsakes.”
For Carmen, quilting is more than a hobby—it’s a way of giving back. “Not everyone has money to give, but you can still make a difference with your time and your talents,” she says. “This is something I love doing, and I’m glad it brings comfort to others.”
Thanks to Carmen and the many other volunteers who knit, crochet, and sew, residents are wrapped in comfort, and are reminded that they are cared for, honoured, and never forgotten.