Quilt project binds friendships, aids children's center.(The Dallas Morning News)

DALLAS _ When Ellen McIntosh agreed to teach her daughter's friends the art of quilting, she knew the time spent together could be more than just a sewing session.

McIntosh is among a handful of moms who decided that before their daughters leave Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet school this year, they could teach their girls a craft, pass on a little wisdom and create friendships for life.

And through the process, the 10 sixth-graders are sharing the joy of giving. They have decided to donate their completed quilt to the Vogel Alcove, a child-care center for homeless children whose families reside in Dallas-area emergency shelters. When youngsters arrive at the center, they are given quilts to keep. According to the agency, the Vogel Alcove typically serves up to 500 children, from infants to kindergartners, each year.

The idea of giving their quilt to a homeless youngster gives the girls some warm feelings of their own.

"I think whoever gets this will feel really cheerful when they wake up each morning and see all these pretty colors," said Bonnie Orth, 11, as she took her turn piecing together the colorful squares of cloth. "I know how they might feel about a blanket; I still have my baby blanket. This would give them sweet dreams."

Shirley Richmond, assistant director of the Vogel Alcove, said the donation would be appreciated.

"That's so nice," said Richmond, adding that a quilting guild helps with the center's ongoing need for the blankets. "We need hundreds of quilts during the year. We thrive off donations, otherwise we wouldn't have any way to give as much to the ...