NORMAL - Diane Dodson was comforted knowing her son slept better in Iraq on a personalized pillowcase. The Normal woman made the case with a big American flag and his name about two years ago. He loved it so much that others in his unit wanted similar patriotic pillowcases.

"When they lay their heads on the American flag, they are closer to home," she said.

She embroidered about 150 pillowcases, and has since inspired her embroidery club to make the personalized gift for an entire Bloomington battalion.

On Friday and Saturday, the Sew Much More Embroidery Club in Normal, along with members of the community, sewed, embroidered, ironed and wrote personal notes at the Sew Much More shop on College Avenue.

The volunteers, including families of those serving overseas, made more than 70 pillowcases for Illinois National Guard members from the Headquarters 33rd Military Police Battalion in Bloomington.

When she brought her project to her embroidery club for show and tell months ago, she got so much support from the shop's owner and club members, volunteers joined her efforts.

Dodson's son, Justin, returned from Iraq in 2006, but she just kept on sewing and embroidering for others. She sought special clearance from military officials to handle the names of those serving in the Bloomington battalion.

She also worked closely with the Family Readiness Group, a local support group for military families, on gifts for the battalion, which left Bloomington last June.

Dodson talked to mothers as they embroidered pillowcases for their sons. "They made us cry all the way through," she said. "They're (families of servicemen and women) so thankful for this."

Getting the hang of it

Sheryl Walker of Cuba, Ill., who doesn't usually sew, got help from Dodson when she embroidered her husband's name on a pillowcase Saturday.

Her daughter, Erin, an Illinois State University student, and mother, Shirley Taylor, also of Cuba, both helped in the efforts. They also included a personal note.

"It's really a good idea," Sheryl Walker said of the project. "I've been surprised how much Bloomington-Normal has given to the troops so far. This town has been so wonderful with all its support."

This was the third time her husband, a sergeant first class, has been deployed. He also served with the 233rd Military Police Company, a Springfield-based unit of the Illinois National Guard.

The pillowcases were made from 120 yards of a cotton blend, digital camouflage material donated by the Sew Much More shop.

Owner Valerie Haberer said they wanted fabric that was cool and comfortable on soldiers' faces. She had thought that 120 yards seemed like a lot of fabric, but the military company she purchased it from said it normally didn't supply such small orders.

Each pillowcase bears the words "Our Flag Our Freedom: Protecting Us Against Terrorism"; a red, white and blue flag; a soldier; and the future owner's name.

Edie Lambert of Bloomington developed the pattern for the American flag that was embroidered on each pillowcase. She made certain it had 50 tiny stars and 13 stripes, knowing the troops would appreciate the details.

"We feel so good about it. It's a small part we can do," Lambert said.