The members of Red Rose Quilters Guild held a work session on Jan. 14 in the banquet room of the Four Seasons Golf Club, 949 Church St., Landisville. Groups of quilting enthusiasts gathered around more than a dozen tables, each working on one of the many steps required to assemble small comfort quilts.
"They all look different because I cut the fabric and create kits," said project coordinator Jeanne Riley. "(The members) sign out (the kits) like library books (and take them home to sew). I like to design the quilt tops. There are a lot of members who don't want to design; they just like to sew."
Over the course of the year, the guild's approximately 140 members produce about 250 throw-, crib-, and lap-size quilts.
"We are constantly getting completed quilts throughout the year," Riley remarked.
"Most people will make one, but then we have the prolific (members)," added past president Jennifer Funck.
The guild meets at Four Seasons for a business meeting and program from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. Often, the program speaker offers a workshop on Wednesday or Saturday that week. On the fourth Tuesday of the month, the guild hosts studio from 1 to 8:30 p.m. at Four Seasons, and members may work on their own projects or finish the comfort quilts.
"We're one of the few quilt guilds that has our own stash," Riley said, gesturing to several shelves filled with neatly organized pieces of printed cotton cloth, thread in a variety of sizes, batting, notions, and more. Attendees provide their own sewing machines, scissors and specialty shears, and any tools they like to use when sewing.
During the work session on Jan. 14, several people stacked a quilt top, backing, and batting, then pinned the three layers together with right sides together. At another station, the layers were sewn together, leaving a small opening. Next, the quilt was turned right side out, and the corners were finger-pressed into sharp angles. "When your fingernails get tired, you whip out your credit card," Riley said, explaining the common makeshift tool.
The quilt then visited another sewing machine, where a row of stitches was sewn around the outer edge, creating a false binding. Finally, the quilt was finished with heavy thread that tied the three layers together with knots or crowfoot stitches.
About 50 quilts were slated to go through that process on Jan. 14. Funck related that periodically, the guild hosts a potluck and invites representatives of local organizations to attend. After hearing a short introduction of each agency, the guild then presents the guests with bags of quilts. The comfort quilts have typically been donated to homeless shelters, hospice agencies, domestic violence organizations, and groups that assist recovering addicts. Occasionally, quilts have been sent to other states or countries in response to flooding, fires, or other natural disasters.
"They're made with love," guild member Donna Lucidi remarked. "We don't expect them to be perfect. It's (an opportunity for) learning and using your talents."
"We have a wide range of skills and knowledge (among our members)," Funck agreed.
Guild members hail from Lancaster and surrounding counties. Anyone with an interest in quilting is welcome to attend guild events for a fee. New members may join at any time for a fee as well. Additionally, the guild accepts donations of 100% cotton fabric suitable for quilting, and anyone who would like to learn more about donating may contact Riley at Jeanne.riley1@gmail.com. For more information about the guild, readers may visit https://sites.google.com/view/redrosequiltersguild.
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