Maple Avenue Elementary School Quilt Project

Maple Avenue Elementary School alum Nancy Pingree Mackenzie never forgot the lesson of community service that she learned growing up in Goffstown.  Reaching out to her college roommate Barbara Mostue, who is now a staff member at Maple Ave, she started a quilt project that has energized students and teachers alike.  30 hand-pieced quilts, all carefully cut and sewn by members of the Maple Avenue family, will be shipped to Nancy and hand-delivered to the Umphiem refugee school in Tak, Thailand, for a group of Burmese students who struggle for an education far from their families.

“When I was first approached by Nancy, I thought we’d maybe put together a couple quilts.  But then people really stepped up and wanted to be a part of this,” said Mostue.  “People are happy to come together to accomplish something,” added Maple Ave Principal Suzanne Pyszka.

The Maple Avenue staff have been meeting after school for sewing bees, and Information Specialist Linda Mistretta color coordinated all the different fabric squares sent in with the students.  Mrs. Lamson’s First Grade sent in 533 squares, and wrote letters to all 68 children at the camp.

“Each quilt is different,” explains Mostue.  Each quilt has 35 squares, with 5 across and 7 down, creating a 40” x 56” blanket.  The children took the project very seriously.  One first grade girl in particular went home and told her mother she wanted to make squares out of a bathrobe that had been given to her as a gift from her grandmother.  “When she gave me that it meant so much to my heart, now I want to share this with these children to pass that special feeling on to them.  That is the true spirit of Christmas Mom".


Visitors to Maple Ave can see quilt tops hanging on bulletin boards throughout the school, and fabric squares are piled in many classrooms.  Mostue said that the project has created such a positive result that the group is thinking about continuing their sewing bees and donating quilts to other NH causes.

If you’re a quilter or can run a sewing machine, and would like to assist with the assembly or complete an entire quilt, please refer to the following instructions. We’d also be happy to accept any donations of batting and/or backing.

In order for the quilts to be as similar as possible:
use 8 1/2” squares and 1/4” seams
5 squares across
7 squares down
no border or sashing, just sew the squares together so the front measures 40” X 56” (see the attached picture)
don’t feel you need to use an expensive batting; polyester is fine
you may quilt them any way you’d like, or tie them if you prefer – either is fine
if you have any sheets you no longer use, or can find some at Goodwill, etc.feel free to use that for the backing.

Please keep them simple – the children will love and appreciate them! If you would like to make a cash donation or have other questions, please contact Barbara Mostue at bmostue@goffstown.k12.nh.us.