MONROE — The handiwork of Park Place middle schoolers who took on a difficult project will soon be an auction prize.
Their cheery quilt is a pink and green ode to spring with red and black accents, and a silky soft lime flannel backing. Sprays of flowers adorn each square.
The quilt will be going home with the highest bidder after the Monroe Public Schools Foundation’s March 22 fundraiser benefitting Monroe schools.
The students might seem an unlikely group to perform the meticulous measuring, assembly and sewing that quilting demands.
A few months ago, half of Michelle Bannon’s seventh and eighth grade pupils knew zilch about sewing. Of the other half, some could thread a needle or knew other fundamentals, while a lucky one said she had helped her grandmother with sewing projects before.
But Bannon had been inspired during her interview for the teaching position to have her class create something special. After landing the job, she applied for a grant, and with help from Ben Franklin Crafts, lessons began.
At first, just measuring fabric was a challenge, said 12-year-old Alayna Bischoff.
“We had to tear out and replace lots of stitches,” Kayleigh Brown, 13, said, with an emphasis on lots.
“I’m glad (the teacher) made us practice, or it would have been a complete disaster,” said Jessica Kuzmic-Wenhold, 12.
Quilting is exacting work; miss one measurement and your square won’t be square. It also won’t align with the squares your classmates are constructing.
It turned out the lesson was not only in stitching but collaboration and community-building, Bannon explained.
Students took on two or three squares, but helped each other along. Bannon noticed the encouragement they gave each other and how one student would fill in for another so the group didn’t fall behind.
She was so proud she made a Facebook video about the project and shares about it everywhere she goes.
Soon, the quilt will be on display for the foundation’s annual spring auction. The lucky owner will have a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted item while the students will keep the skills they gained sewing for a cause.
