Julie Hathaway displays a row of homemade Christmas stockings.
Sandy Lane taught Julie Hathaway how to quilt, and now the daughter is just as involved as the mother.
By Rich Wicks | Panora Times
Sandy Lane and her daughter, Julie Hathaway, live in Panora but are active in the Winterset Quilt Guild. The group gives out many quilts and sewn items to various charitable groups. Lane and Hathaway have expanded their giving to include residents and tenants at Lakeside Village, especially for those who qualify to receive a Quilt of Valor.
Lane explained that she has heard from some veterans who misunderstand the basics of the Quilts of Valor program. Contrary to what some have heard, the program is not for veterans who have passed away.
“The only qualification is that it is for anybody that has served in any form of the military, as long as they weren’t dishonorably discharged,” Lane said. “It’s to thank you for your service, while you’re still here.”
Lane said there is a national Quilts of Valor website registry. She makes sure anyone she has presented a Quilt of Valor to is recorded on the registry.
“I belong to the National Quilt of Valor Foundation,” Lane said. “We did seven quilts for veterans here at Lakeside Village.”
Lane recalled how she first became interested in quilting.
“I’m self-taught,” Lane said. “In about 2008, my sister was wanting to join the quilt guild at Winterset. I got the information, we went to a meeting, and I’ve been going ever since.”
Not only have Lane and Hathaway participated in the Winterset group, they hold leadership roles. As of Jan. 1, Lane will become the club president, while Hathaway serves as club secretary.
The two also make “baby quilts” that are donated to hospitals. Lane explained the purpose behind these.
“They use them to cover the isolettes (incubators), because the premature babies’ eyes are very sensitive to the light,” she said.
Lane recalled at one point, she wasn’t sure if her efforts were making a difference. Then she got a letter that changed everything.
“After about four years, I got my first thank you card addressed to me personally, and it just melted my heart and made me cry,” she said.
Lane taught Hathaway how to quilt, and now the daughter is just as involved as the mother. Lane and Hathaway started making Christmas stockings, since they are easier than full-sized quilts.
“That was one of the first things she taught me how to quilt,” Hathaway said. “She thought it would be easy for me to start with that. Eventually, I started making my own pattern. Now I can probably do three in one day, depending on the pattern.”
Hathaway now makes Christmas stockings of various sizes and sells them. She even makes miniature stockings that are designed to hold a gift card.
Meanwhile, Hathaway is working toward completing a full-sized quilt.
“My goal is to have one done by the end of next year,” Hathaway said.
Lane and Hathaway are always on the lookout for good deals or donations of quilting materials. Hathaway said she’s got a large supply of fabric and batting at their home, but the women go through it quickly.
“It kind of looks like a fabric store threw up in my dining room,” Hathaway said.
For anyone interested in learning to quilt, Lane and Hathaway’s suggestion is to team up.
“Sometimes, it’s more fun to sew with a group,” Hathaway said. “And even if you’re just getting into sewing, find a group, ask questions.”
The Mother-daughter duo have found they really enjoy the companionship of quilting together.
“One time, we were just sewing and sewing, until 4:30 in the morning,” Lane said.
“Sometimes, you just lose track of time,” Hathaway said. “We have our music going, and we have our teas, and we’re just going to town.”
Julie Hathaway and Sandy Lane show two of the Quilts of Valor given at Lakeside Village.