To some, a quilt is just a heavy bedcover used to keep warm on cold winter nights.
But to the kindergarteners in Clear Lake Elementary teacher Vicki Haviaras? morning class, their quilt is a patchwork of fond memories and family relations.
Students recently participated in a project called ‘Sentimental Stitches.?
Each student was required to bring to school a piece of fabric that was ‘sentimental to them in some way,? explained Haviaras.
From baby blankets and T-shirts to chair coverings and jackets, each piece of material represented a special relationship or positive memory involving students and their families.
The project is part of a social studies unit entitled ‘All About Me,? which is designed to help students better understand the connections between them and their families, according to Haviaras.
Parent Judith Strzelecki (mother of student Elaine) and her mother-in-law (Elaine’s grandma) sewed the pieces together to make the quilt.
Students? reasons why their fabric is special to them were typed on small slips of paper, which will be pinned to each piece of material. The quilt will then be displayed in the school hallway.
Haviaras said the quilt will be raffled off at the end of the school year and one lucky student will get to take it home. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to a charity, she said.
Here’s what the students had to say about why their pieces of fabric are so special to them:
‘I like this fabric because it reminds me of my Grandpa and Grandma McKay whose favorite colors were orange and mauve. My favorite color was pink.? ? Breeonna Sheedy
‘This fabric was used to cover up Lauren’s daddy’s ugly brown chair. The chair is now in her room in her reading corner.? ? Lauren Funk
‘This is special to me because I got it for my 4th birthday from my Aunt Rhonda and it was very cozy.? ? Payton Forbes
‘This chenille jacket was given to Heather by one of our friends Marie. She enjoyed wearing this jacket because of its softness and its color of course.? ? Heather Miller
‘This fabric is from an outfit Rochelle wore a couple years back that she really liked and looked cute in.? ? Rochelle Leitner
‘Jake wanted this material because of the war and the soldiers in Iraq. His dad was in the marines and Jake thinks that is cool.? ? Jacob Novack
‘This blanket is special to our family because all the boys used this blanket when they were babies. This blanket kept us warm and made us feel secure on cold winter nights.? ? Demetri Harris
‘Adam likes the astronaut on the shirt.? ? Adam Bouck
‘This material came from a t-shirt of Mitchell’s. The shirt was special to him because his cousin Jacob gave it to him.? ? Mitchell Wood
‘When Bobby was 2 and 3 he loved tractors and frogs. He always hopped around like a frog.? ? Bobby Hudson
‘This fabric is special to our family because it was used to swaddle Warren when he was a newborn. He liked the security and warmth of being wrapped tightly in this blanket.? ? Warren Maurer
‘This material is from the crib sheet that was used by all three of our daughters.? ? Elaine Strzelecki
‘This fabric is special to me because my Grandma Toasty sent it to me.? ? Brooke Boxrud
‘This fabric is special to me because my Grandma Claudia gave it to me. My Grandma Claudia and I enjoy making things together. My favorite project was when we made a strawberry blanket for my baby sister.? ? Montana Tasca
‘This fabric is special because it was part of Jacob’s baby blanket.? ? Jacob Samuels
‘This yellow fabric represents my favorite yellow blanket my nana gave me when I was a baby.? ? Madison McClear
‘This used to be Cameron’s baby blanket. We used to have his room done with bears and Pooh Bear.? ? Cameron Barsanti
‘This fabric is from Elzabeth’s favorite sweater and play blanket.? ? Elizabeth Lulgjuraj
‘This is part of Carl’s baby blanket that he used to use to cuddle.? ? Carl Wacker