Stitches of Love

Though Iowa's bitter winter months are upon us, a group of former Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn educators are doing their best to spread some warmth.

Juanita Anliker, who served 21 years as a special education teacher at H-M-S, founded the "Stitches of Love" sewing group in 2023. Comprised of ex-teachers and aides, the group thus far has made 30 quilts for local children in need.

Anliker wanted to carry on the legacy left by her late mother, Reona Schelhaas, who used to make quilts for needy women and children. She can recall several memories from her teaching career that still tug at her heartstrings.

"A kid would come to school and it was so bitterly cold, and they'd tell you their mom wrapped them up in a rug to keep them warm," she said. "That breaks your heart. If there's a way for these blankets to keep a kid warm, that's what we want."

The group meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for three weeks each winter. The first year they made 18 quilts, while the second year they compiled 12.

This year, "pre-season" cutting of double-knit fabric has sped up the process. On Monday morning, 10 tops had been completed since Jan. 6.

"We have it down to science," Anliker said.

The group meets inside the fellowship hall at Grace Fellowship in Hartley, which provides ample space for quilt assembly. Separate stations are dedicated to composition, pressing, sewing and knotting, with each volunteer possessing varying degrees of experience.

Berlou White was busying pressing seams and sorting squares on Monday morning. She welcomed all comers to the group.

"Not everyone came in as a seamstress. You don't need to be a sewer – we have a job for you," she said. "Anybody can do it, and you don't need to know how to sew."

Anliker said when she originally decided to create the group, she sent out an email resembling a lesson plan to fellow retired teachers.

"No grades and no tests, but everything was written up as a classroom lesson plan," she said. "You don't need to be a retired teacher to join our group, but that's just how it kind of happened. You don't go into teaching if you don't care and love children. I thought you know what, they get it."

Once the quilts are finished, Anliker contacts guidance counselors and principals at H-M-S's three facilities to disperse them among students in need.

"They're super warm and durable," said Anliker. "They're not really all bed sized, but they're big enough to wrap up a kid on a cold night."

Anliker was unsure how many quilts the group would complete once their three-week workshop concludes next week. In addition to helping local kids stay warm, she said the former teachers enjoy time spent reminiscing about their old classrooms.

"We're just a come-and-go group. We bring our sack lunches in," she said with a laugh. "It's not a race. We just get done what we can get done. It has been fun."