Elegant Stitches...Imagine. Stitch. Create. Share: Operation Sew Thankful

Operation Sew Thankful

"The mission of Quilts of Valor is to cover ALL those combat service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and healing Quilts of Valor (QOV). This foundation is not about politics. It's about people."

Lisa Wardenaar and Kari Stewart

History

Lisa Wardenaar began the local chapter of The Quilts of Valor project , called Operation Sew Thankful in September of 2013. Kari Stewart is her "wing woman". Lisa lives in Holly Springs, NC , is the mother of three small children and owns a sewing business called Oh Sew Lola. Kari is also a Holly Springs resident, a mother of two children and is the one who taught Lisa to Quilt! Kari gets to choose the quilt design and figure out all the mathematical equations that go into piecing the quilt.

Lisa's father, grandfather and a few uncles served in the military. When Lisa came across Quilts of Valor on Facebook, she knew she wanted to do something to honor those that have given so much for our country's freedom. Upon seeing that there wasn't a chapter in our area, she started one of her own!

Lisa and Kari have recruited a dozen or so other women to the organization. The group meets every 3rd Thursday at Elegant Stitches from 9:30am-1:30pm and every 4th Tuesday at Woodhaven Baptist Church from 6:30-10:30pm. The average quilt costs $200, Operation Sew Thankful accepts donations of fabric, gift certificates to local quilt shops and both time and monetary donations. Unless donations are given, Lisa personally funds all the projects.

Working in Elegant Stitches classroom

The quilts touch the soldiers in so many ways. They are a source of comfort and a reminder of the high regard with which they are held within the community. Potential recipients are identified by word of mouth, veterans that have been met along the way and/or veterans that were identified at previous presentations.

It is truly a labor of love that is being performed by these members of our community. Since the inception of Operation Sew Thankful, the group has presented 10 quilts and have made 24 to date. Keep on stitchin'!