By Susan Manning

Staff writer

It’s always nice when you can get back to the community simply by doing something you love.

Such is the case for Holliston resident Diana Hatch, and the rest of the Yankee Quilters.

Hatch discovered the group nearly 16 years ago.

“I got involved in 2008 when I retired,” she said.

Yankee Quilters is a local charitable quilt group that has members and activities throughout the towns volunteer work delivering quilts to patients at Dana Farber in Milford.                                            

Hatch said the comfort quilts committee had been started two or three years before she joined the organization by Franklin resident Joan Hallet.

“I enjoy quilting and sharing the art form of it... And, I also enjoy the camaraderie of the friends I’ve made. It’s a pretty tight-knit group... and I enjoy it today as much as I did back 16 years ago!” said the quilter.

Volunteer Susan Speers said having Hatch in the group has been wonderful. 

“Diana is one of our more expert quilters, with a long history of sewing and always ready to lend a hand if someone has a question about a technique or a fabric,” she said.

For those interested, Yankee Quilters will begin its program year on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in the Horace Mann Plaza in Franklin. Quilters from new to experienced are welcome to join throughout the year. 

Yankee’s Comfort Quilts team of dedicated members work together to create beautiful quilts for Dana Farber cancer patients, homeless/displaced children and for international aid groups through the “Wrap the World in Quilts” organization.

Yankee members also contribute quilt blocks for Quilts of Valor for veterans. Each of these charity projects is a great opportunity for learning and practicing quilt skills with friendly volunteers using fabric provided by the guild. 

Comfort Quilts meets Mondays 10 – 2 at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in Franklin.

Newcomers are encouraged to come and help get beautiful quilts into the hands of people who truly appreciate the gift. The nurses at Dana Farber – Milford recently sent a thank you note to the Yankee volunteers with confirmation that the quilts bring much joy. One nurse wrote “Our patients treasure them and feel the love. You all are making a difference.”

In addition to monthly meetings on the second Tuesday, the group offers speaker programs, member “show and tell” demonstrations and opportunities to sew together throughout the year including a four-day sewing vacation in the spring. Updates are posted on the group’s Facebook page.

In October, Yankee will collect used clothing, “soft goods” such as sheets and blankets, and books to raise funds for guild activities. Members use mostly donated materials to make these quilts; however, funds are needed for batting which adds warmth and texture to the quilt. This fundraiser also helps pay for lectures to improve members’ skills. The collection day will be Saturday, October 5th from 9 am to Noon at Prime Storage, Route 126, in Bellingham. Details are available by writing to [email protected] for drop-off or pick-up.

The regular Guild meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, will include a potluck supper, and a presentation on quilts that Yankee volunteers have donated for children. The first meeting for newcomers is free; annual dues for new members are $40; returning members $30.

For those in Holliston, this year’s Fall Staycation will be Friday Oct. 18, to Sunday Oct. 20, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 Central St., Holliston. Three different craft techniques will be offered including a Scrappy Log Cabin pattern, Barn Quilt Painting on wood, and Glass Etching. Prices, food and signup information are posted on Yankee’s page.

In November, a clinic on how to fix problem quilts will be given. Speakers Lynn Thibault of Leominster and Nancy Sullivan of Phillipston encourage members to bring quilts that need help, rulers that are difficult to use and questions about patterns.

For more information about any of these events, please contact [email protected]

Yankee Quilters Guild is a 501-c-3 charitable organization based in Franklin with members throughout the region. The Guild meets on the second Tuesday each month at Emma’s Quilt Cupboard in Franklin, Horace Mann Plaza, East Central Street, Franklin in space generously donated by the store. Donations to the Guild are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by current law.