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Everyone Quilts At Arts Club Quilt-a-thon

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers High School Fashion and Textile Arts Club began its 17th annual quilt-making marathon on Friday at 2 p.m. and continued on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Between the two days, about four dozen people pitched in to make 46 quilts, 36” x 44”, for the new wing of the Blythedale Children’s Hospital. 

The quilters operated in assembly line fashion, beginning with the less experienced, who “pieced” the work by sewing patches together. These were passed on to the ironing team, who pressed them and brought them to the “sandwichers,” who assembled the layers and forwarded them to the skilled quilters - mostly adults - who handled the finishing process.

The club’s advisor, Somers High teacher Christine Brooks, said this was a lucky year for the group. When they were searching for fabric donations, Somers resident, Christine Osmers Mullen, came forward with a large gift from her employer, Michael Miller Fabrics. Teacher Mary Seaboldt was also a significant contributor.

In the past the club has donated quilts to various charities but this year they received a request from Blythedale to produce a quilt for each new hospital room. In addition to members of the club, various volunteers pitched in, some of whom just happened to be passing by.

Brendan Gerety, president of the junior class, was at school for a driver’s education  session when Carly Cavaliere, also a junior, corralled him and quickly taught him how to operate a sewing machine.

Girl Scout leader Julie Gorecki was there with some of her troop members. She had volunteered to provide refreshments and ended up wielding a needle like everyone else.

Sixteen-year-old Emma Sweeny said, “The hardest part is that it’s very time-consuming. You need a lot of patience. But the best thing is when you see the finished product.”

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