Socorro Foundation Quilts

I will never tire of watching Simone Biles' incredible double double beam dismount and triple twisting double tuck from the US National Championships.
Have you not seen? Check out the link below. I'll wait.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWaQeUIjaSw

I take pride and pleasure in her success, even when I don't know her. I had no role in her journey. She is not from my city or my state. I am not a gymnast or a sportsperson. But as a fellow American, I celebrate her achievements. Can you relate? 

So when America is responsible for deaths of innocent children in custody, why aren't more of us filled with shame and disgust?  I am saddened and angered by the loss of innocent lives.
Just as Simone Biles' achievement must be celebrated, so also this meaningless loss of lives must be called out as a cruel mistreatment.

Picture from "Close the Camps"

When Sarah mentioned Socorro Foundation, I knew just how to channel my grief and anger.
I made six quilts, one each in the memory of children who died in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Wilmer Josué Ramírez Vásquez, a 2½-year-old, died in May 2019 after being detained by Border Patrol in early April and spending about a month in a hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

For Wilmer and Jakelin, I chose 9-patch blocks alternated with animal panels (bear hugs). And although they look similar the layout, the backing and the bindings are different.

Wilmer (left) and Jakelin (right)

Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, a seven-year old, died in December 2018 in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Jakelin died from cardiac arrest caused by severe dehydration and shock a day after she and her father turned themselves in to CBP on the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico.

Darlyn Valle, 10, died in September 2018, after entering Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody. The girl entered ORR custody on March 2018 as a medically fragile child with a history of congenital heart defects. Darlyn underwent a surgical procedure at a facility in Arizona and complications later left her in a coma. She was then taken to Nebraska, just three days before her death, in an effort to reunite her with her mother. She died due to fever and respiratory distress, ORR said.

For Darlyn, I used strips from a Moda Scrap Bag with Sundrops fabric line by Corey Yoder.

Once the top was complete, it looked subdued and I wanted to brighten it. A green border did just that.  A peach/coral binding brings everything together.

When making a pieced backing with two fabrics, I aim for a four patch rather than just two columns of fabric. It is one more cut and on more seam but the 4-patch layout looks better.

Felipe Gómez Alonzo, 8, was held in CBP custody for nearly one week before he died in December 2018. Medical investigators later determined the boy had been suffering from the flu while he was under the agency’s care.

Cute animal prints, cut into 5" squares with a bright yellow background for a Disappearing Nine Patch was my choice for Felipe.

A large four-patch pieced backing in shades of yellow matches the yellows on the front.

Juan de León Gutiérrez, 16, died of health complications under ORR care in April 2019
after officials at a detention facility in Texas noticed he was sick.

For Juan, I chose cute animal prints with white/neutral backgrounds.  That is why I chose bright red, blue and green for the other squares in the D9P pattern.

Carlos Hernandez Vásquez, 16, was taken into custody after crossing the southern border in Texas' Rio Grande Valley on May 13, 2019, among a group of 70 people. He was held at a processing facility for six days before being transferred to the Border Patrol station in Weslaco, Texas, where he died hours after a nurse determined he had the Influenza A virus.

For Carlos, I chose a starry pattern with turquoise and purple fabrics.

Darlyn, Juan, Felipe (top row),
Jakelin, Carlos, and Wilmer (bottom row)

After all the quilts were completed and photographed I was ready to send them.  But something was missing.  And then I knew.

Labels

Jakelin

Wilmer

Felipe

Juan

Darlyn

Carlos

I labelled them with the children's names, before sending to Socorro Foundation, hoping they would provide some measure of comfort to those who use them.

All my children

Be safe

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.  As usual I'd love to hear from you. A comment from you is like a warm hug and I could use some hugs at this time.