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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
A handmade quilt can bring comfort, joy, and coziness to anyone. The Power of the Quilt Project (PQP) aims to create and deliver original blankets to not just anyone, but to those undergoing chemotherapy, those in hospice care, and children facing hardships. The Sherborn-based group recently held a quilt-a-thon to finish dozens of quilts that will go to people in need.
In 2003, Gwyned Trefethen, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Area Church (UUAC), began the community project to support those in need. Although the project partnered with other organizations throughout the year, their mission remained the same. In its 14 years, the project has provided over 2,200 quilts to individuals in hospitals and to organization like Project Linus.
A volunteer for the Power of the Quilt Projects carefully lays out her squares to be sewn together.
Members of the group work on the comfort quilts year-round, creating and assembling the squares. About three times a year, though, the volunteers congregate to add the finishing touches, like a hand-sewn Power of the Quilt Project label.
On Veterans Day, the volunteers worked together on the quilts at the UUAC from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., socializing as they sewed, ironed, and pinned pieces of fabrics donated by local fabric stores. With the help of the quilt-a-thon volunteers, nearly 30 quilts were completed with the PQP label in just a few hours.
Cris Crawford, who served as the coordinator for the group, contributed to the success of the quilt-a-thon as she added stitch designs into the quilts. Having been a quilter for decades, Cris joined the Power of the Quilt Project to continue her passion for quilting without accumulating dozens of the handmade blankets in her home.
Although Cris has handed the reins as coordinator to Diane McNamara, a longtime member of the Church, she continues to contribute her quilting skills to the group.
“The Project has a long legacy here at the Church,” said Diane. “It’s a nice opportunity to combine a love of quilting and a way to help the community.”
Tobi Hoffman and Kathleen ‘Kace’ Wilson work on their quilting projects for PQP’s quilt-a-thon.
Deborah Henderson, one of the volunteers, has been able to see firsthand how the quilts can impact the recipients. A cancer survivor herself, Deborah had the privilege of delivering one of the handmade quilts – this one backed with Betty Boop cartoons driving cars and motorcycles – to a friend of over 50 years who was undergoing cancer treatments. Having personal connections to Betty Boop, motorcycles, and old cars, it seemed like the most appropriate quilt for her friend.
“I was sure it would bring a smile his way,” said Deborah. “It was such a powerful moment giving it to him. He loved it. It brought a tear to his eye.”
As each quilt is made with finesse, care, and – most importantly – love, it’s easy to understand why any recipient would be moved by such a gift.
PQP welcomes any volunteers to join in on the quilt-a-thons - even if they aren’t the finest sewers - as there is plenty to do without picking up a needle and thread. The next quilt-a-thon is tentatively planned for Martin Luther King Day on January 15, 2018.
