Pieces of colorful fabric were set. Sewing machines threaded and ready. Volunteers made themselves comfortable at their sewing stations. The “Sew-in” at the Singer Sewing Center in Lihu‘e began with a first stitch. As part of the national Home of
Pieces of colorful fabric were set. Sewing machines threaded and ready. Volunteers made themselves comfortable at their sewing stations. The “Sew-in” at the Singer Sewing Center in Lihu‘e began with a first stitch.
As part of the national Home of the Brave Quilt Project, yesterday’s “Sew-in” had volunteers from around the island put together quilt blocks, which will go into quilts for families who have lost loved ones in the War on Terror.
The Home of the Brave Quilt Project was started in 2004 when the Citrus Belt Quilters Guild of Redlands, Calif., wanted to show respect and honor the military men and women who have died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The project has chapters in almost all 50 states, the District of Columbia and has honorary chapters in England, Germany and Australia.
“The people of Kaua‘i have been giving the most help,” Erika Hessheimer of the Singer Sewing Center and coordinator of the “Sew-in,” said. “The sewers are so willing to help. We already have enough blocks to make five quilts.”
Dawn Kucera, Hawai‘i state coordinator for the project, said there are currently no casualties of Kaua‘i residents, but quilts are being made for three soldiers who have died from the Big Island and one soldier from Maui.
“Kaua‘i adopts the other islands today,” Kucera said. “It is very important for the military to know the civilian community is supporting them.”
Kucera, who has been a quilter for 25 years, became involved in the program after retiring from her civilian job at Hickam Air Force Base on O‘ahu. She had heard about the program through a visitor from Oregon.
“I thought, ‘Quilting and the military, this is me,’” Kucera said. “With my background I knew this is what I wanted to do. I was retired — I had the time.”
Since her involvement in the program, Kucera has presented three quilts to families who have lost loved ones.
“It is so meaningful to me,” Kucera said. “The families are surprised complete strangers will make this effort for their children. They are so grateful their family hasn’t been forgotten.”
Kucera, who flew in from O‘ahu for the day, wanted to show her support by participating in the “Sew-in.” She had a binder for volunteers to look over containing information about the project and the names and information of the soldiers the quilts would be made for.
“I try to make it personal,” Kucera said. “I want people to know who they are making the quilts for.”
Inspired by quilts made during the Civil War, the ‘x’ shaped, nine-patch quilt is 48 inches wide and 80 inches deep, according to the project’s Web site. Throughout the Civil War, Northern women made handmade quilts to make up for the shortage of bedcovers in military hospitals. During the four years of the Civil War, an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 quilts were made.
In the center of each ‘x’ is a block of unbleached muslin. Words of condolence, thanks and other messages have been written by volunteers sewing the quilts, state senators and Gov. Linda Lingle.
Kucera calls Lingle a supporter of the project.
“The governor has signed a whole slew of center blocks,” Kucera said.
The Hawai‘i Quilt Guild of O‘ahu has also made more than 200 quilt blocks, Kucera added.
Once the quilt is finished, an embroidered patch is placed on the back. The patch states the name of the fallen soldier, the date and where they died.
Kucera remembered giving a quilt to Judy Sarno, mother of Staff Sgt. Cameron Sarno. Sarno’s son died in Kuwait in 2003.
“When she opened the quilt, she wrapped herself up in it,” Kucera said. “She said she will sleep under the quilt for the rest of her life.”
March 19 marked the five-year anniversary of the Iraq War. A few days after the anniversary, the U.S. death toll in the war reached 4,000.
“So far 1,854 quilts have been made (nationwide),” Kucera said. “We’ll keep making the quilts until we have one for everybody.”
Hessheimer added that quilt block kits will be available at the Singer Sewing Center for those who would like to help. The kits cost $1.50 for the materials and will make two blocks.
For more information on the Home of the Brave Quilt Project or to find directions on how to make a quilt block, go to www.homeofthebravequilts.com or www.homeofthebravequiltshawaii.org.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com
