Monday, March 19, 2018

Comfort Quilts Filled With Love



A Very Productive Day!

Sixteen volunteers came together on National Quilting Day (March 17) at The Power of the Quilt Project spring quilt-a-thon to lovingly help create handmade comfort quilts for individuals undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
Several first-time volunteers learned the intricacies of hand-tying a sandwiched comfort quilt and coordinated fabric colors, measured, cut and combined materials to create quilt top “take-home” kits. Seasoned sewers machine pieced colorful blocks and borders.

At the event, Vela Sekula (13), mom Trilby Spring and Santi Sekula (11) of Millis learned the vintage art of hand-tying a sandwiched quilt from project coordinator Diane McNamara.

Heidi Wesolowski enjoyed selecting coordinating fabrics and learning to create take-home quilt-top kits. Her son Aidan (5) and daughter Leah (3) gave her a big hug before leaving Ashland to "fill her up with love" so she could pass that love along while she was helping at the quilt-a-thon.


Three quilt tops were assembled during the seven-hour event and three more were sandwiched with batting and cozy flannel backings to be brought to Creative Longarm Partners in Marlborough for the Longarm-stitching process. Five of the colorful creations were hung in the Sanctuary, and all quilts will be blessed before being brought to those in need.

Kace (Kathleen) Wilson of Milton enjoys free-motion longarm stitching quilt tops at these events. (How wonderful is that?!)

Longtime project volunteer Cathie Healy of Holliston enjoys hand-sewing the project labels to complete the finished quilts, saying it's a "win-win" for everyone involved.

First-timers Heidi Wesolowski and Irene Richards, both Ashland residents and new UUAC churchgoers, enjoyed the fellowship and fun and the opportunity to learn new things!


****UPCOMING EVENTS****

Diane is planning a "kit-making" party this summer and will be making a date for the fall quilt-a-thon. Be sure to email her at dimcnamara@verizon.net to find out more or RSVP for an event.

All ages and abilities are welcome!