BY KATHERINE SMITH

Newsroom Intern

Karen Butler, owner of Quilt Love, a cottagey shop in Pinehurst, is inviting teachers and curious students to partner at her shop on Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in stitching together a quilt of appreciation for a veteran.

Quilt Love is located at 145 Blake Building. It is insulated by shelves of fabric bolts, giving visitors the sensation of being surrounded by rainbow colored piano keys. Craft boxes overflow with scissors and glue, while sewing machines junction tables.

When Butler opened her quaint shop, she hoped to bring her past experiences to a tame surrounding.

"I worked as a first responder and with the Red Cross for years," she says. "Now I can't help but want to organize charity for those who need it."

Familiar reminders of the military and war channeled Butler's energy to a veteran focused charity. Glen Butler, her husband, works with wounded warriors, the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders. Her daughter Katie, a pastry chef, recently became engaged to a Fort Bragg soldier.

"When I found out about Quilts of Valor, I started asking people [to participate]," she says. "It seems like the perfect personal and shop extension."

Founded by Blue Star mother Catherine Roberts as a tangible prayer for her son's safety overseas, Quilts of Valor (QOVF) purposes to welcome soldiers home with a different kind of medal. Quilt toppers and machine quilters partner to dedicate their hobby to a generous 55- by- 65-inch lap-sized quilt. The foundation's goal is to cloak every returning service person with the peace and safety that a hand made quilt speaks.

As of January, more than 60,000 "thank you's" in the form of quilts have been presented.

Butler hopes to involve Moore County by contributing a dozen quilts by the time of her daughter's wedding in June. While it may seem like a small drop in the bucket, even one quilt is an emotive symbol of thanksgiving.

The quilts are created by two sets of hands - one a teacher and one a learner.

"If you've made a couple of quilts, you know how to cut and know which ways the seams are supposed to be iron, you can teach," Butler says. "Really, teaching is only cutting the fabric and overseeing the sewing. The learner buys or brings the fabric, and I provide the space."

Roberts advises those interested to chose a simple pattern and include only fabrics soft enough to be suited for a baby.

"For everyone involved it's no more than passing on the steps," she says. "We've been stocking up on patriot fabrics and receiving donations from Auriful fabrics, so we're set."

Al Lind, a World War II veteran, the poster child for QOVF, has sewn more than 300 quilts for the foundation. He is the reason for Butler's assurance that a quilt of valor is artfully healing.

Whether those receiving a quilt are family, neighbors, or a faceless uniform, the gift will be, as Butler says, "always a memory near and dear to hearts - both ours and theirs."

For more information, contact Karen Butler at (910) 215-9254.

Katherine Smith is a newsroom intern at The Pilot.