'Fashion and fabrics' continues history of giving 'Fashion and fabrics' continues history of giving (April 29, 2005)

Students make baby blankets for local groups
by Rebecca Guyon

Margo Olsen decided six years ago that the students in her fashion and fabrics class at Amador Valley High School would learn how to sew and put their creations to good use. Since 1999, Olsen's students have donated their class work to different community groups, and this year they are making baby blankets for ValleyCare Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.

"I like that my quilt will be able to stay in a family and will be enjoyed for a long time," said junior Jenelle Dronkers, who made a quilt with a patriotic theme.

The class, comprised of 30 students, took three weeks to make the quilts and each student will receive a grade for the work. Olsen said the students have done a fabulous job and all will receive the full 200 points possible on the project. Some students have even started making a second quilt. In total, the class will donate 35 quilts.

"The great thing about quilts is that everybody can make one and be part of the project," Olsen said.

Olsen relies on fabric donations to provide homemade goods for community groups, and this year all the materials for the baby blankets came from one donor. The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, learned about the fashion and fabrics students last year when she read a newspaper article about their work making cat beds for the Valley Humane Society.

In the article, Olsen said she needed donations of 100 percent cotton materials so next year's class could make baby blankets. As a Pleasanton resident with a student who graduated from Foothill, the donor wanted to give back to Pleasanton and saw this as a great opportunity. She provided Olsen's class with enough material and batting to make all 35 baby quilts.

"She said this was her way of helping the community, but she didn't want attention for her donation," Olsen said.

In past years, Olsen's class made teddy bears for the Blue Bear Brigade, a project that provides ambulances with teddy bears to comfort children in traumatic situations; bibs for seniors; and scarves for the Pleasanton Balloon Platoon marching unit.

Olsen's class will be making baby blankets again next year and she's hoping lightning will strike twice. She is looking for fabric donations of new, 100 percent cotton. Baby themes, pastels and solid colors are preferred. It is appreciated if donors can cut the fabric ahead of time in 7-inch by 7-inch squares. Donations can be brought to Amador Valley High School marked, "Attention Margo Olsen."

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