Norwich teens take to quilting for a good cause
NORWICH – Most teenagers don’t know much about batting, basting, binding, piecing and stitching a quarter inch seam. At least not as they apply to quilting. But students in Kathy Stewart’s Early Childhood Development class at Norwich High School do.
Working in pairs, the students spent four weeks creating colorful quilts from fabric scraps recycled from a clothing design class Stewart teaches. The project wasn’t simply a sewing lesson, but a way of helping out a worthy cause. Once complete, the quilts were donated to the Catholic Charities of Chenango County’s Crime Victims Program, where they will be given to victims of domestic violence.
“We normally give them to our women, or mothers with children, who are leaving our Safe Dwelling,” said Rosie Knecht, who works as an advocate with Catholic Charities.
Each year organizations like Helping Hands in Bainbridge and a number of area churches donate handmade blankets and quilts to the program, but according to Knecht, Stewart’s class is the only student group that has gotten involved in this way.
To most people a quilt is something to curl up under on a cold winter night or use as decoration, but there is a greater significance to those who been the victim of domestic violence, explained Dan Auwarter, director of the Crime Victims Program.
“Quilts have a comforting power that extends beyond their practical use,” said Auwarter. “They have often been used to promote awareness of social issues and to bring a sense of healing to those in need, which is why they are so appropriate for the clients we serve.”
“The quilts donated by the Early Childhood Development class not only provide victims of domestic violence a beautiful household item, they communicate recognition of the struggles these women face,” he continued. “The quilts speak encouragement in knowing that with support, the pieces of their lives will come together again.”
While the quilting project was a first for the students who participated, many found it rewarding.
“I’m glad we could help them,” said senior Adrienne Sharpe. “It was a great experience.”
There was also the chance to be creative. Junior Amanda Quinlan and sophomore Jen Brown agreed that what they had enjoyed most was picking out the colorful fabric squares for their quilts.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed by Knecht. “I think it’s beautiful work,” she said.
Working in pairs, the students spent four weeks creating colorful quilts from fabric scraps recycled from a clothing design class Stewart teaches. The project wasn’t simply a sewing lesson, but a way of helping out a worthy cause. Once complete, the quilts were donated to the Catholic Charities of Chenango County’s Crime Victims Program, where they will be given to victims of domestic violence.
“We normally give them to our women, or mothers with children, who are leaving our Safe Dwelling,” said Rosie Knecht, who works as an advocate with Catholic Charities.
Each year organizations like Helping Hands in Bainbridge and a number of area churches donate handmade blankets and quilts to the program, but according to Knecht, Stewart’s class is the only student group that has gotten involved in this way.
To most people a quilt is something to curl up under on a cold winter night or use as decoration, but there is a greater significance to those who been the victim of domestic violence, explained Dan Auwarter, director of the Crime Victims Program.
“Quilts have a comforting power that extends beyond their practical use,” said Auwarter. “They have often been used to promote awareness of social issues and to bring a sense of healing to those in need, which is why they are so appropriate for the clients we serve.”
“The quilts donated by the Early Childhood Development class not only provide victims of domestic violence a beautiful household item, they communicate recognition of the struggles these women face,” he continued. “The quilts speak encouragement in knowing that with support, the pieces of their lives will come together again.”
While the quilting project was a first for the students who participated, many found it rewarding.
“I’m glad we could help them,” said senior Adrienne Sharpe. “It was a great experience.”
There was also the chance to be creative. Junior Amanda Quinlan and sophomore Jen Brown agreed that what they had enjoyed most was picking out the colorful fabric squares for their quilts.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed by Knecht. “I think it’s beautiful work,” she said.
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