A Holiday Message from Pat

It has been three years since the CT Quilters Group, based at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop, was formed.  We spent most of 2011 meeting once a month to develop a system for how to produce Quilts of Valor.

We began by creating block kits to be available for shop customers to check out and complete.  We had established what pattern we wanted to use as our signature quilt and then engineered a system to make up block kits.  As those kits were returned, we began laying out tops and piecing.  We added borders and then prepared the tops for quilting.

In 2012, we presented 25 quilts to deserving veterans who have made sacrifices to protect our Nation’s freedoms.  To date in 2013 we have passed the 25-quilt mark; but we aren’t finished this year yet.  We have an additional 13 quilts to present and have 4 more coming back from a local long-armer for us to put the finishing touches on.

During the past three years, our Group has expanded from that initial 7 people that met to figure out how this was going to work.  Along the way, we have grown to 30 plus members who give of their time at the meetings, and an untold number of volunteers who take the block kits home and keep our supply chain going for us to make quilt tops.  The dictionary defines ‘giving’ as “to make a present of “, it goes on to define ‘giving out’ as “to distribute”.  This is what the CT Quilters Group does.

But, during this Holiday Season we also get to reflect on the present we receive in this endeavor of ours.  Our members come from many walks of life - some are veterans, some are married to veterans, some are the daughters, sisters and mothers of veterans, and some just appreciate veterans to the extent that they want to contribute.  So, as we sew each seam, we rejoice in the fact that our loved ones and yours have kept us free.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pat Neville

CT Quilters Group Leader, 2011-2013

PS  We always have needs for donations of fabric (red, white, blue, beige, gold, sage green, camouflage, etc) and/or batting (twin size - 100% cotton or thin poly preferred) to help during our meeting times and the long-arming of quilts.

   Thank you!