Dear Patti, Thank you for answering my question and you are not useless. Hug quilts sound like a lovely idea. A lady on the UK quilting yahoo group has a similar scheme going in Europe. There they make little pillows. You can see at the link below.
Patti on the hill wrote sometime this afternoon in answer to a my question re hug quilts:-
Some kind person will know the url for Hugs and their explanation; but I'll give you a brief description, Elly: As you will have seen, although we are widespread geographically, it is possible to get to know people and become friends. Sometimes there are major upsets in our friends' lives - live-changing situations - not all sad or related to health; we have recognised bereavement, weddings, serious illness, and so on. Someone will suggest that we make a Hug Quilt for whoever's life has been touched. Kate G. is now 'in charge' of the Hug list, insofar as she has e-mail addresses of those of us who want to be told when there is a Hug going on. If we have time, when the call comes, we will each make a block - signed - or even a blank square, if time is really short. Then someone who suggested it will put the blocks together (he/she will also give us the size - usually 6.5" and the colours to be used); this person might also do the quilting, but not necessarily. Sometimes a volunteer is asked for to do the quilting. When the Hug Quilt is made, we try to get someone living near-ish to deliver it personally. It is all done in complete secrecy on the Hug list. The Hugs we have made are on a website - some clever person who keeps all these addresses to hand, will be able to tell you that. Sorry to be so useless in that regard!