Quilt shop owner, sewing teacher unite for Project Linus

Local Girl Scouts get lesson in charity Vernon — When American Sewing Guild’s charter member Carlyn Hudak asked Maureen Lasslett, owner of Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop in Vernon if she’d be willing to allow her to use her quilt shop’s classroom to teach a group of Girl Scouts from Hardyston how to finish baby quilts for Project Linus, her answer, of course, was “When do you want to come?” Lasslett, who is promoting a “National Make a Blanket Day” campaign in cooperation with Janome America, is only too happy to help add to the growing pile of blankets and quilts that she has been collecting for this noble cause. This is the second year that she has participated in this event, and she’s looking to break her record of last year’s donations. “We collected 167 adorable, soft and cuddly quilts and blankets last year, most of which will remain in the immediate area for use in police cars, ambulances, emergency rooms, and women’s shelters for displaced and traumatized babies, children and adolescents,” said Lasslett. “My goal is to collect 200 for this year’s campaign by the Feb. 17, 2007 deadline. As of this morning’s count, we have 99! Anyone who turns in a handmade quilt, fleece blanket, crocheted or knitted blanket before then will be entered to win a brand new sewing machine!” On a recent Thursday evening, Girls Scouts Troop 797 in Hardyston took a trip to the shop, where veteran sewing teacher and longtime area resident Carlyn Hudak got busy right away showing the girls how to finish the tops that she had made herself by tying them with colorful thread. Pieceful Choices provided the tables and the batting needed to finish the job. “They learned something new, had a nice visit with each other, and finished three adorable quilts to donate to Project Linus,” said Hudak. “It was a very worthwhile way to spend a few evening hours out!” Lasslett also got a bonus lesson, herself. “Carlyn brought her serger with her and I was able to try my hand at it. Definitely as much fun as a sewing machine, I’ll be adding them to my line of JANOME machines very soon!” For more information on how you can help, call Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop at 973-823-9297, or visit www.piecefulchoices.com, www.projectlinus.org, or www.janome-america.com.