Monique Arnold and her daughters took up sewing in earnest during the pandemic. They found themselves surrounded by fabric scraps, which sparked an idea to turn the scraps into quilts for children in hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House. Now, they support a variety of foundations and charities through The Sandpiper Project.
How long have you been sewing and quilting? How did you get started?
I’ve been quilting for 5 years. Elizabeth, Victoria and I began sewing in earnest during the pandemic, after being invited to help make masks. Over six months, we produced more than 4,000 masks.
Prior to that, I was simply working through my hesitation with the sewing machine, sparked by inheriting my late mother’s sewing box, filled with sewing tools and notions passed down from her and my grandmother.
Tell us about The Sandpiper Project.
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In early 2021, after sewing more than 4,000 masks during the pandemic, my two teen daughters and I found ourselves surrounded by fabric scraps. That sparked an idea to turn those scraps into quilts for children in hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House. It was a deeply personal mission, as my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, had recently completed treatment for ovarian cancer, diagnosed at age 16.
She was soon named a Wish Ambassador for Make-A-Wish, with the opportunity to raise awareness and—if able—to fundraise $2,500 toward granting another child’s wish. With her younger sister’s encouragement, we began making and auctioning quilts to support that goal. In just four months, we raised $7,000.
We quickly realized how much more could be done by inviting others in. We reached out to local quilt shops, shops beyond our backyard, bloggers, Facebook, and Instagram influencers, and were deeply supported by so many wonderful quilters who understood the meaning of comfort and awareness.
Now, as we approach the 4th anniversary of The Sandpiper Project-Quilting The Fabric Of Hope, we are proud to share:
–We’ve raised just over $93,000 for 11 nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest and beyond that serve children diagnosed with critical illnesses, primarily cancer.
–We’ve delivered over 1,200 quilts to major children’s hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, we have also delivered over 900 Lovey’s, stuffed animals, pillowcases, and socks to coincide with our Comfort Quilt Drives and Pillowcase Challenge
How did you come up with the idea to sew pillowcases and make postcards to support the project?
Our first annual pillowcase challenge (Summer 2024) began with an idea from a Sandpiper member, Dee, who, during a cross-country trip, visited a quilt shop supporting children in cancer treatment. There, she discovered the same program—Ryan’s Case For Smiles—that touched our family when Elizabeth received a pillowcase during her own treatment.
Inspired, we launched the challenge to support both Ryan’s Case For Smiles and Camp UKANDU. It offered a meaningful way to serve, while helping others—especially those intimidated by sewing—gain confidence and experience the JOY of creating.
To broaden the impact and spark creativity, this year, for our second annual pillowcase challenge, we also introduced quilted postcards—a personal bucket list project of mine.
After years of admiring them, I finally took the leap and, with the help of the postcard tutorial on Create Whimsy, I was able to share this opportunity widely. These small creations bring JOY to both the maker and the children who will receive them, offering beauty, hope, and a heartfelt connection.
Describe your creative space.
Our workspace has evolved significantly since the project began. Like many crafters, we started at the kitchen table.
We later moved into a dedicated room that had once been a playroom for my young children. During the pandemic, it transformed again, serving as our mask-making hub and doubling as a middle and high school learning space during school closures.
As schools reopened and mask-making paused, we began transforming the space into a dedicated quilt room.
With growing fabric donations, scraps and growing from supporting a single organization to partnering with 11, we expanded further, adding storage and a larger workspace.
Today, we operate out of two creative rooms, allowing us to work on a wide range of projects for others. This growth has been made possible by the generosity of this great quilting community, helping us raise awareness and support for the organizations we serve.
What is your favorite tip for organizing your stash of creative supplies?
As our creative space has evolved, so has our storage system. Over the past four years, we’ve reorganized at least four times, starting with color-sorted bins, then moving to yardage wrapped on comic book boards and coordinating smaller scrap bins. This method has helped us easily access and audition fabrics.
Now working across two rooms, we have greater visual access to materials and inspiration. In each space, we also have books, patterns, and printouts of amazing blog ideas such as yours to help with creativity and JOY! Our current challenge is storing and getting access to bulkier donations like fleece, batting scraps, and kits. Suggestions are welcomed!
How do you make time for creating? Do you try to create daily?
In the beginning, the pandemic gave us ample time to create.
As the girls returned to school and became involved in their school activities, I continued working during the day as a stay-at-home mom.
Now that they have graduated and begun their professional careers, I have time to focus on the project daily. It brings me purpose and JOY.
When they are home, we create together, and we stay connected through regular calls, FaceTime, to collaborate on projects and design ideas.
Do you prefer the kind of project that is challenging and requires attention, or the kind where you get in your meditative zone and enjoy the process?
My answer is twofold. I love the creative process in all that we work on. It allows me to think through challenges as I work. But within the project, every project, no matter the type, matters.
Balancing work with everyday life is the real challenge, yet it all feels meaningful because we’re doing it with purpose: to serve children, just as our daughter was supported in her time of need.
What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
My answer is simple: the only requirement is JOY.
I always tell our members and anyone who asks to help: choose patterns and projects that bring you JOY, just as we did with your article-post.
If it speaks to you, make it. There are no size requirements, no specific rules—just create JOY with JOY.
When you have time to create for yourself, what kinds of projects do you make?
I intentionally make time to create meaningful pieces for my family.
I have made three quilts for milestone moments for my children, two quilts for my husband and my mother-in-law, and other holiday creations through the years, as well as décor items for our dining room table, including napkins, placemats, and mug rugs.
What (or who) has been your biggest inspiration in keeping your creative energy going?
My answer is fourfold.
It begins with my mother: her creative spirit and the sewing box she passed down to me. Each day, I strive to make her proud.
Next, we do this for the children we serve. Having experienced firsthand the comfort and support provided by medical teams and organizations, we’re committed to ensuring every child feels that same care during their darkest moments.
Then, my husband, who supports us through it all, with acknowledgement, praise, and financial support to allow us to be better and grow.
Finally, my daughters, we began this journey together to heal after a difficult time for Elizabeth. Four years later, it remains a shared passion.
Where can people learn more about The Sandpiper Project?
We are on many social media sites, but the best location to find us is where it all began – The Sandpiper Project – Quilting The Fabric Of Hope on Facebook. Please don’t hesitate to join and be a part of something so powerful! Where little things matter—make a difference in the life of a child.
How can quilters and sewists help support the project?
We kindly ask those reading this today to consider sharing our mission as well as helping meet our needs to make Magic and impact.
With help, we can continue wrapping children and families in warmth, comfort, and hope during the hardest of times:
-Donations of quilting tools, quilting fabric and notions
-Handmade quilted items for our auctions and children’s comfort quilt deliveries for children’s hospitals and the Ronald McDonald House
-Participate, after joining our Facebook Group, in our current event running from July 8 through Oct 1, 2025 – Sizzlin’ Summertime Pillowcase Challenge (making pillowcases, quilted postcards, quilted hearts, and quillows for Ryan’s Case For Smiles and Camp UKANDU Family Camp)
-Help in spreading the word—sharing our outreach with crafting friends and family
-All of the above
Interview posted July 2025
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