Local sewing machine dealer sponsors “Make A Blanket Day”

Vernon —Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop, an authorized JANOME America sewing machine dealer, will host “Make A Blanket Day” on Feb. 17, at the shop, 99 Route 94, in the McAfee section of Vernon. The event is a benefit for Project Linus, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide love, security, warmth and comfort to children across the country who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Quilt Guilds, sewing clubs, school groups, knitters, crocheters, novice and experienced individual sewers and quilt makers are all invited to join Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop in making quilts, afghans and fleece blankets for children in crisis. No experience is necessary to take part. The dealership will also serve as a collection site for new, handmade, washable blankets. “This project is so easy to participate in,” says Maureen Lasslett, owner of the country quilting, sewing machine and fabric shop. “The blankets that we are making and collecting do not need to be works of art. Simple patterns with easy construction and clean, bright fabrics and yarns are all that’s needed. To a child in need, these cheerful comforts made by strangers mean so much more than perfect seams and stitches. I tell my customers to make a simple blanket or quilt. They can practice their skills while doing a very good deed. The pile of quilts and blankets already turned in is getting high, and it is wonderful to see!” “Our goal is to recruit new blanketeers and have 200 blankets ready for distribution as a result of this event. Community involvement is vital to the success of Project Linus and our store is very proud and excited to be part of yet another outreach program.” Every individual who turns in a new, handmade blanket to the shop will be entered in a drawing to win a JANOME DC3050 computerized Decor Series sewing machine valued at $499. Each blanket donated will earn you another entry to win the machine. This is the fifth year that JANOME America has teamed up with Project Linus on the event. Last year, JANOME dealers across the United States collected nearly 40,000 handmade blankets during the event. Project Linus has donated more than 1,000,000 blankets to children in need since its inception in December of 1995. The blankets are distributed to children’s hospitals, fire departments and family service organizations. The majority of the blankets remain in the area in which they were created. For more information on Make A Blanket Day, call Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop at 973-823-9297 or visit www.janome.com and www.projectlinus.org.