Dedicated Diamondbacks: Dawes eighth graders create heartwarming quilts for retirement community

March 23, 2026

Dawes Middle School students stitched together comforting memories for Lincoln retirees during a special community engagement project.
 
Eighth graders in Kate Stewart’s Family and Consumer Science 8 course created lap quilts for Legacy Terrace residents this winter. The Diamondbacks partnered with the International Quilt Museum (IQM) for the class project, which taught them practical sewing fundamentals and lifelong prosocial skills. They donated their artworks to the retirement community after finishing their sewing unit.
 
Maxwell and Shinn said they felt good about the progress they had made on their quilts one morning. The two Diamondbacks were in the process of sewing square pieces of fabric together at their desks. They lined up the blocks on a sewing machine and used both hands to maneuver them through the moving needle.
 
“I’ve enjoyed being able to be creative with all of the pattern pieces,” Maxwell said. “It feels really satisfying just working on it.”
 
“For me, it’s fun because you get to experience new things,” Shinn said. “You’re able to make stuff that you haven’t made before, and you can make it on your own when you learn how to do it. And, you can do it for other people like we are right now.”

 
IQM Education Coordinator Lindy Clausen said it was a pleasure to work with the Dawes group. She helped Stewart shepherd the Diamondbacks through the entire quilt construction timetable from late January to late March. She has been eager to watch them improve their sewing techniques each week.
 
“The first day students are a little timid and unsure, but once we practice how to piece fabric with the sewing machines, it’s so rewarding to see their confidence build,” Clausen said. “Shortly after, they’re zipping fabric through the machines with no issues. They get so excited when they see the piece they’ve been working on become something beautiful that can be enjoyed by others.”
 
Stewart is piloting an advanced two-semester FCS 8 class this year that includes units about developmental milestones. The longer course has allowed students like Maxwell and Shinn to take deeper dives into the areas of food preparation and preservation, nutrition, sewing, fashion design, interior design and child development. They have applied math and science principles to a host of individual and group projects.
 
Stewart came up with the idea to make lap quilts for the Legacy Terrace building at 5700 Fremont St. A mother of one of her students works at the retirement community, which has provided an even closer connection for the class.

 
Maxwell and Shinn were both happy when they heard about the quilting plan. They said knowing that senior citizens would appreciate their hard work has been a motivating factor for them.
 
“It makes me feel good,” Maxwell said. “We’re able to help someone who needs it.”
 
“I like how much it’s going to help other people,” Shinn said. “I’m not just doing something for myself. I’m doing something for others and helping other families. That’s what I like the most about this.”

 
Stewart has heard similar comments from many other students at their sewing machines. She said it has been impressive to watch the level of care that everyone has shown on their quilts.
 
“It’s very encouraging to see that as a teacher,” Stewart said. “It’s way different with them working on the quilts as opposed to their first sewing projects. They know who it’s going to. It’s cool to see them asking more questions, being more concerned about how it looks.”
 
Maxwell said he was looking forward to holding up his completed quilt. He said the course had reinforced the importance of setting and accomplishing goals.
 
“It’ll be a feeling of, ‘Yeah, I did that,’” Maxwell said. “I’ll feel proud of myself for starting from scratch with fabric and making something that you can actually use. I really enjoy that. That’s why I enjoy going to this class.”
 
Stewart said the quilting project has been just the tip of the proverbial FCS 8 iceberg. Students have become more confident and willing to take risks, whether that be with trying new fashion design concepts or cooking more complicated recipes. That enthusiasm has spurred thoughts of continuing their FCS journeys after they leave Dawes.
 
“They’ve taken on more ownership and come up with creative ideas, and they’ve been more willing to expand their horizons with different career options,” Stewart said. “And, they’re thinking more about high school as well. What do I like in FCS, and what high school classes can I take to further that interest or career option? We’re always talking about careers that they could potentially get into when they’re older.”
 
Clausen felt the quilting venture would foster strong bonds between Legacy Terrace residents and the Dawes community for many years to come.
 
“Creating a quilt, even a small one, takes a lot of time, concentration and intention,” Clausen said. “A quilt is also a special type of art that has the ability to communicate love and care. I hope the recipients of these quilts can feel the love and warmth every time they use their quilt.”
 
Discover how FCS classes are helping LPS students stitch together many lifetime skills.
 
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