Summertime often means sleeping in, going to the pool or hanging out with friends.

For some students, it was about improving their sewing skills and making a difference.

During the months of June and July, Kingfisher Memorial Library hosted beginner and advanced sewing classes for the second year under the direction of Children and Youth Services Librarian Audry Sanders.

Those who participated in the advanced sewing class for ages 12 and up during the month of July had a special opportunity to put their skills to work for a good cause.

Together they collaborated with the Keith Lowry- Henry Ellyson Post No. 5 American Legion Auxiliary in its continuing effort to provide hand-made patriotic quilts to give to veterans in honor of their service.

When Amy Tollison, secretary of the ALA and president of the Friends of the Library, made the suggestion to ALA President Roxie Alexander, she welcomed the idea.

Sanders agreed it would be a great project for those in her class and everyone jumped right in, she said.

“We like to do projects with the kids that we can show them how to give back to the community,” Sanders said.

“I think it’s important for us to show appreciation for what these soldiers went through and show the kids we have the freedom to do this because without them, we wouldn’t.”

The class was made up of 10 students who learned how to make a “four patch” for the quilt tops, Sanders said.

“It was just teaching them how to cut and measure, making sure you’re cutting straight and sewing straight…and a lot of seam ripping, too,” she said.

Each student sewed at least two or more four patches, Sanders said.

“We actually had one young man who just loved doing the four patches, so we ended up with enough for a third quilt,” she added.

Although everything was under Sanders’ direction, she wasn’t alone in her efforts.

Allison Coughlan not only helped with the quilting project, but has provided much support in all of the sewing classes, Sanders said.

Cathy Mota also contributed her time and sewing skills to assist with the project.

Additionally, Lizzie Click and Millie Bell Coughlan, who participated in one of Sanders’ previous sewing classes, were instrumental in helping complete the quilts, Sanders said.

Through the students’ efforts, the ALA now has three more quilts to include in this year’s project for veterans, Alexander said.

What began seven years ago as a project to make one quilt to be given away in a drawing at the annual Veterans Day breakfast morphed into a campaign of quilt-making for the local ALA.

The following year, women of the ALA and other ladies in the community put their sewing skills to work to make 36 quilts for veterans of World War II and the Korean Conflict.

The next year it was 60 patriotic quilts, with more crafted each year to express an appreciation for the veterans’ sacrifice.

This year the goal is to complete 17 additional quilts to be given away at the Veterans Day breakfast or distributed by an American Legion member to those unable to attend.

With over 200 quilts made and distributed since 2019, students of Sanders’ advanced sewing class and their helpers were able to share in the effort to honor our veterans this year.

“How cool is it that young children would make that to honor our veterans? It was exciting to be a part of that,” Alexander said.

Students who participated in the project were: Emily Mosley, Lux Jackson, Sealy Mae Coughlan, Jensen Shepard, Joe Shepard, Arabella Long, Fernanda Juarez, Erin Guinn, Regan Blackwood and Chloey Casto with student helpers Lizzie Click and Millie Belle Coughlan.

Sanders said she plans to continue the sewing classes and would love to hear from any local community groups that might have other sewing projects the kids could help with.

“I think it’s a great way to give back to the community,” Sanders said.

“You can show the kids that they can have fun and sew, but also do it for a good cause as well.”