Caring Star Quilts

I believe that as quilters, our ability to create something that is both beautiful and useful sets our craft apart. If you know any quilters, you know many of them (myself included) are frequently sewing for charitable organizations.  

I'd like to share with you today, a very special group...

Meg Martin is the woman who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to turn the Caring Star vision into a reality. 

(Meg M, my sister Jessie, and me)

She's a fellow CAMQG member and a dear friend. Perhaps is it her magnetic personality, or the grassroots opportunity, but this cause has a very special place in my heart.  

This group is unlike any I have seen before, here is a little background:

The Caring Star Quilts project was conceived in 2013. This ongoing mission begins with creating and presenting pairs of quilts to honor the two-way bond of service and sacrifice between wounded, ill and injured veterans and their caregivers.  

Behind every wounded, ill and injured soldier... there's an unsung hero of a caregiver. 
Our sewing machines will sing... a song of warm appreciation for unsung heroes.

The Sewing day includes piecing quilt tops with music, laughter and hourly door prizes. Morning refreshments, luncheon and a guest speaker were included, too. Pre-cut fabrics and most supplies were even provided, making it a breeze to get right to the fun part, sewing!! Every team had an experienced quilter on hand as instructor -- so even first time quilters were able to get on board! 

(Jessie and me)

I don't think my words could ever do justice to the positive energy that was felt throughout the Kick-off sewing day in April. I was especially exited to be able to share the sewing day with my sister and mom, who drove 2+ hours to PA from NJ for the event.

(Sheryl)

The three of us, with Sheryl (another CAMQG'er) were Team Juliet!   Our team was assigned a modern cross block.

Once we got up and running, were given freedom to 'have fun' designing with the border. And we did! I was the only one of the group who had previously improv pieced, but they gave it all a shot and were hooked!

By the end of the day, 45+ volunteers had completed 14 quilt tops!

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of quilting, binding, and final touches.

The quilts were presented, "with love and pride" to 12 Caregivers of Veterans and the Veterans they each care for in May.  More than 100  people shared a warm appreciation for unsung heroes, and our nation's Caregivers that day.

The success of the inaugural sewing day and presentation day have driven Meg to raise the bar for the second event, to be held this Fall. Knowing her creativity and tenacity, I have no doubt that the reach and impact of this amazing cause will be far reach long and far throughout Pennsylvania.  I am so honored to have a hand in the project, it is a blessing and an inspiration at every step of the process. 

Keep your eyes open! Over the next few posts, I will share with you some of the quilts that I was lucky enough to help sew for CSQ, after the big sewing day. I'll also be giving you a sneak peek into preparation for the Fall 2014 the sewing day!

Team Juliet with our finished top

I hope you enjoy reading about and seeing the efforts of Caring Star Quilts, as much as I have enjoyed my journey with them so far.