Sewing to Show Support

By Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo
South Norfolk resident Donna Thomes has sewn seven quilts for wounded or afflicted United States soldiers in the past year as part of a world-wide project called Quilts of Valor.
Thomes heard about the group while attending the Winchester Center Congregational Church’s quilt show in 2009. The all-women group meets at the church twice a month to work on quilts for soldiers who could benefit from their comfort. The quilters come up with their own designs and patterns, using donated materials as well as their own fabric and other supplies.

Norfolk resident Donna Thomas poses with one of seven quilts she has sewn for wounded or afflicted U.S. soldiers.

Thomes admits she was interested in quilting for a long time, making small quilted wall hangings and Christmas tree skirts, but didn’t get involved with making full-sized quilts until she heard about the project in Winchester Center. The seven quilts she has already made for soldiers vary greatly in their patterns, but all share the same color scheme of red, white and blue.
“I was a single mom from when my daughters were five and three, and I received a lot of support raising them,” Thomes says. “Through Quilts of Valor, I have found a way to finally give back.”
Each quilt is signed by its creator and embroidered with a message that says, “This quilt of valor was made for you by the ‘Sew Grateful Quilters’ of Winchester, Conn. We made this quilt to show our appreciation, admiration and respect for your service to our country. We salute you and hope this quilt brings comfort and warmth to your spirit as well as your body.”
The quilters also include a note with each blanket to give the soldier some personal information about them, and they ask that a self addressed envelope be returned to sender so they know the soldier received their gift. Most soldiers enclose thank you notes and some send photographs.
One recent quilt recipient was a young soldier who lost his sight in battle and was being transferred out of Afghanistan to a hospital in Germany. While being prepared for the flight, he frantically asked the attending nurse if his quilt was with him for the journey.
She held it up to his face to reassure him, and wrote back to the quilters that the soldier was immediately calmed by its presence.
That nurse is from Plainville, Conn. and was so touched by the quilters’ impact on her patient that she has asked to meet them when she returns from her tour of duty later this year.
Sew Grateful Quilters are always looking for new people to join them in their efforts. They meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Winchester Center Congregational Church. Quilters of all skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Cash donations, as well as fabric and other quilting supplies are always appreciated.

Photo by Bruce Frisch