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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
While many were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, a group of women was spending the day at Sherborn’s Unitarian Universalist Area Church celebrating something else. As they stitched, ironed, and hand-tied blankets at the Power of the Quilts Project’s (PQP) Quilt-a-Thon volunteers from Sherborn and neighboring communities were celebrating National Quilting Day.
The Power of the Quilt Project started at the church 15 years ago to provide those in need with a handmade quilt. Many of the quilt recipients are those undergoing chemotherapy, people in hospice, and children in need through Project Linus.
The volunteers create a variety of quilts because of the diversity of the people receiving them. One of the spring Quilt-a-Thon’s blankets sported a baseball theme, while others followed a floral theme or stuck to a monochromatic mood. While their appearances and sizes vary, each one receives an abundance of love and attention before being added to the completed pile.
Although many of the volunteers bring sewing and quilting experience to the Quilt-a-Thon, PQP invites those even with no sewing abilities to get involved, as there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve a needle and thread.
Trilby Spring and her two daughters, 13-year-old Vela Sekula and 11-year-old Santi Sekula, spent their first time at the Quilt-a-Thon hand-tying an intricately patterned quilt tops. After hearing about the group, Trilby decided it would be a nice way to spend time with her daughters trying something new and making new friends.
First-time PQP volunteer Heidi Wesolowski also wanted to experience something new, and felt compelled to participate after hearing about the PQP’s dedication to helping those in need. She spent the day measuring and cutting fabric to make quilt kits, which helps quilters complete the quilt tops a bit faster.
Many of the returning volunteers are cancer survivors themselves and understand how meaningful a handmade quilt can be during their battle.
Even the volunteers with years of quilting experience benefit from the Quilt-a-Thon, too.
“I’ve been involved in this project for the past three years, and I’m learning new things every time,” said Deborah Burke Henderson. “I’ve taken a couple of classes, and it’s really fun. It’s all about simple, straight sewing, so if you ever want to try it, it’s not that complicated.”
While there are certainly tricks and tips to sewing, Deborah encourages those with an interest in sewing or quilting to simply try it.
For those looking to get involved with the PQP, they can contact Project Coordinator Diane McNamara at dimcnamara@verizon.net or keep up with the Project through their blog at powerofthequilt.blogspot.com.
