Tel Hai’s SEW Creative group invited neighbors and friends to join in the annual Veterans Quilt Sew-In on Thursday, March 13 in the Tel Hai Chapel. No sewing experience was required of the volunteers; light refreshments were served. The bitter cold outside was countered by the warm hearts of the 54 volunteers participating. Representatives from all neighborhoods on the Tel Hai campus were represented: Maple Knoll, Cedar Ridge and Woods Edge cottagers worked side-by-side with apartment residents from Hillcrest and Tel Haven. Even future Tel Hai residents and StoneCroft folks turned out to help. The Calico Cutters sent a representative as well. The two sewing groups will present their finished quilts to the Coatesville Veterans Hospital in April.

The machine stitched quilts represented a number of styles including the Dresden Plate, simple blocks and stripes, Pinwheels, Rail Fence, Spinning Star, 9-Patch and Snowball. Stars and hearts were appliquéd on some squares; others were string-tied. Messages of encouragement for the veterans were created by veterans present and added with iron-on blocks. In fact, 8 male volunteers took part in hand-tying, message writing and ironing during the event. In total, the group created 76 lap quilts to be donated. The group founder, Shirley Walton has lost track of the number of years this outreach has been done, but the warm feelings generated are always uplifting. Red, white and blue fabrics—many with patriotic themes were used in the creation of each quilt.

PHOTO: This year’s Sew-In for Veterans was a big success at Tel Hai. Seventy-six lap quilts were completed for donation to the Coatesville Veterans Administration Hospital on March 13. They will be delivered to the recipients during the month of April.