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How Solera Sew What Quilters Got Started
In October 2002, Loretta Benna put her dream in motion, and started the Solera Sew What quilters club with some other residents - Caroline Palmer, Jeanette Woods, Sharon Dawson and Bev Malm. They met on Wednesdays in the Arts & Crafts room.
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To The Memory Of Loretta
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Roberta Lombardi’s “Linus Hearts” block is at the center of this shadow box, which she and fellow quilters created, in tribute to Loretta.
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Loretta was already involved with the Linus Project for several years, making quilts with the patterns that were shared over the Linus Project web site, and she introduced the group to the charity almost immediately. They all thought that it was a good idea to do something special for children in our community who had serious health problems and would benefit from the little quilts they were making.
Loretta encouraged beginning quilters to attend an easy paper piecing method for making quilt squares. This project created the first Linus quilt to be donated by the group.
In the summer of 2003, after a request from Loretta many residents responded with donations of material and yarn to be used for quilts and afghans for the Linus Project.
It wasn’t long before other ladies in our community showed interest in this little band of quilters, and soon the Arts and Crafts room was filling up with new members.
They grew in size and in quilting lore. They learned to do hand quilting on an old-fashioned quilt frame and quilted an antique quilt for Jan Van Meter. Jan’s mother had made the quilt top many years before, and it had never been layered and quilted. It is now a treasured quilt for Jan, who proudly displays it in her home.
Loretta Benna passed away in March 2005, after being ill for about 6 months, but her dream continues. The club now has 30 members, and to date has donated 552 quilts to the Linus Project.
Interested? Come join us, and keep the dream alive! There are no fees for membership. We support club activities and the Linus Project by having quilt raffles, and selling small quilts, potato bakers, adult bibs, and similar items - all made by members. ■
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