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Stitches Hopeful Hearts Quilt Starts Cross-Country Journey

Quilters from Minnesota, Michigan, Arkansas, Ohio, NC, Maryland and Washington participate; Benefits 10 causes, including Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, bullying and Special Olympics

TREVOSE, PA – August 8, 2013 – A 12-square quilt stitched by embroiderers in seven states begins a cross-country journey this week to spur awareness of a variety of causes, including Alzheimer’s, domestic violence, Special Olympics, bullying, hunger and Cystic Fibrosis.

The embroiderers created quilt squares for a cause dear to their hearts, then performed and documented their public service for Stitches® magazine, published by the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI). The Stitches Hopeful Hearts Quilt debuted in Chicago and will be displayed in communities where several quilters are based.

“ASI is incredibly proud of the decorators who so generously donate their time and resources to public service and can’t think of a more fitting display of their commitment to making the world a better place than this beautiful quilt,” said Timothy M. Andrews, president and chief executive officer of ASI.

Stitches Editor Nicole Rollender said the project was inspired by the AIDS Memorial Quilt, consisting of 48,000 panels that commemorate someone who died of AIDS that helped raise millions for AIDS service organizations. “Quilting is more than a pleasant pastime,” Rollender said. “It’s a living art form with the power to move and inspire, to reflect a culture and generate awareness – even to effect change.”

Stitches, honored as a Magazine of the Year by the American Society of Business Press Editors, issued an open invitation to embroiders and chose 13 stitch experts – some working in pairs – whose mix of needle skill and devotion to their causes stood out. In addition to creating a square, each embroiderer volunteered or donated to their cause.

The individual squares were stitched together by Geri Finio, a quilter and embroidery artist who owns Studio 187, a custom embroidery studio. After being displayed for approximately one week by participating embroiderers, the quilt will return to ASI headquarters in Trevose, PA for permanent display.

The embroiderers of the Stitches Hopeful Hearts Quilt are:

  • Sandy Miller, Sandy’s Sweet Embroidery Creations, Hendersonville, NC, for the Melbourne, FL-based Brevard Rescue Mission, a shelter for homeless single mothers and their children whose goal is to provide women with tools and resources to survive as single parents.
  • Robin Mouton, Back Gate Embroidery, Sneads Ferry, NC, for the Special Olympics of Onslow County, NC, to help intellectually challenged individuals enjoy positive, encouraging experiences through athletics.
  • Angie Crook and Geri Schwarz, Cotton & Clover, Fort Smith, AR, for Fort Smith Children’s Emergency Shelter, the only shelter provider for homeless children in the city.
  • Abbie Andersen, Bootstrap Threads, Gig Harbor, WA, for Tacoma, WA-based Crystal Judson Family Justice Center, which serves victims and their families by offering basic necessities and a safe haven.
  • Loronda Schuler, Heav’n Sent Creations, Marshall, MN, for House of Hope Minnesota, which helps teenage girls overcome behavioral issues.
  • Naomi Spivak, Matan Embroidery, Ann Arbor, MI, for the Back Door Food Pantry, an interfaith food distribution center for the needy.
  • Michael and Nancy Krupar, Wellington Thread Works, Wellington, OH, for Genesis House of Lorain County, OH, which provides temporary shelter, food and support to women and children escaping domestic abuse.
  • Tracy Petrekovich, Hoop & Stitch Embroidery, Cortland, OH, for Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, which gathers, processes, freezes and packages discarded big game meat that’s then delivered to food banks free of charge.
  • Gail Gilmore and Donna Fenstermacher, A To Z Wear Ltd., Cincinnati, for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati, which provides services for sufferers and their families, including support groups, help lines, educational programs and safety services.
  • Sadia Andrews, Sadia’s Designs, Windsor Mill, MD, for the Bethesda-based Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which works toward a cure while supporting the afflicted. The quilt will not be displayed in Windsor Mill.