With A New Home, Quilters Resumed Spreading Warmth

When Newtown Quilts closed last year, members of Quilts of the Heart found themselves looking for a new meeting location.

Quilters had been meeting weekly since late 2008, under the guidance of Sandy Hook resident Lana Patane, who called the gatherings not meetings but “an open house environment, so if people need or want help they can come in and get help from me and others.”

The group, fortunately, was able to secure a meeting space at Newtown United Methodist Church and continued their work. Meetings for the new year started in September 2010 and continued regularly until June 22. The group has grown to 14 members and are looking forward to our weekly  meetings scheduled to resume in September.

Members gather each Wednesday morning from 10 am until noon, in the lower level meeting room of the Sandy Hook church.

Quilts from the Heart has completed dozens of quilts that have been donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, wounded warriors at the Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals, and quilts for hospitalized children across the state. Individual donations have also been made to local families.

In a letter from M.L. Nathan, Rear Admiral, Medical Corps Bethesda, he thanked the quilters for their efforts, saying in part: “Your generosity makes a big difference in the lives of these heroes.”

The generosity of NUMC in providing Ms Patane and her fellow quilters a place to gather for quilting and socializing prompted them to make a carpenter’s start quilt which was then donated to the church last month. The quilt features a palette of autumn colors and was quilted by Eileen Barchi, a Sandy Hook resident. 

The quilt, which measures 70 by 70 inches, will be used as a fundraiser for the church in a silent auction as part of its annual craft fair. This year’s event, a major juried arts and crafts show, will return to Reed Intermediate School on Saturday, October 15.

New members are always welcome. Although the group is on its summer break, Ms Patane is always happy to answer questions about the group and its projects. Donations of cotton quilt fabrics and quilt batting are also gratefully accepted.

Anyone who would like to join the group is invited to contact Ms Patane at 203-364-0014.