My quilting hobby/passion/obsession is richer because I belong to a group. My group, Quilters at First, meets on Wednesday from 11ish to 4:30ish at First United Methodist Church on the third floor. I probably could get more quilting done if I stayed home in my dog walking clothes and sewed without distraction until 4 pm. But more important to me than the projects I would churn out, is sense of community I experience each week.
These women know more about me than my children! And we know more about each others’ children than those children would probably be comfortable sharing! We have a framed photo in our room that says “Sewing is Cheaper than Therapy-Mostly”. I am not sure we solve anyone’s problems, but we care about each other. I have people who will listen to my mostly first world problems. They know my foibles… repeatably searching for my glasses and phone in an afternoon or spilling my drink down the front of my blouse and they still care about me!
This group of women give me confidence to try a new pattern or help me choose the “just right” blue for a project. I am assured the mismatched seams I am zooming in on, isn’t that noticeable. When I am by myself, I am a champion “over-thinker”. No time for that when we a sharing our latest read or what we are watching on Netflix. We share fabric, patterns and skills. We have hand sewn bindings on each other’s quilts and machine quilted small projects for others.
Our stated mission is to raise money for the TV Ministry and for the Religious Nurture Center. Individually we contribute items for the annual three day sale in October. By combining our efforts, we have created an “event”. An event that is successful because of a community of people. This event would be much, much more difficult to pull off by an individual. Each person in our Quilters at First community pulls resources from their individual circles to make it happen.
To my list of “what I am Grateful for”, I have added community. I am lucky enough and have worked to have several communities in my life, which has made my life all the more richer.
One of the fun aspects of meeting together each Wednesday is to share our weekly finished projects. No one will appreciate your quilt/table runner/bag like we do!!! We acknowledge your points are sharp, your seams match and that it took hours to cut/sew/press flat 200 four square patches!
The best place to show off a new quilt when it is raining, is the stairwell in our Church! This flannel 61″ square quilt is tied with white yarn. The back is black flannel. The little geisha doll prints are my favorites. This cuddly quilt is washable and large enough for a toddler/child’s bed. $100.
Perfect fabric to describe the Fourth of July! This 13″ x 30″ piece could serve as a table runner or a wall hanging. The stars and letters are machine appliquéd. A smart shopper has already purchased this as a birthday present for a daughter born on the fourth.
This seasonal table runner is still available–
Really, you are getting two table runners so if you spill the ice cream sundae , just flip it over –and you are still celebrating the Fourth! I especially liked the white on white print used–it could be a quilting design. Machine quilted and hand bound. The piece measures 14″ x 36″. $40
Remember this table runner from last week?–that I only had a fuzzy photo to share. The summer yellow would be a “fit” for the next three months. The runner is 15″ x 46″, machine quilted and hand bound. $40
Who wants a plastic bag when you could bring home your shopping is this bag. The flowers are appliquéd on a canvas bag–super strong. $10
Skipping ahead to Fall, this square table topper almost appears to be 3-D.
There is a hint of gold metallic in the leave prints. The topper measures approximately 21″ square. Machine quilted in the ditch and hand bound. $40.
Want a very practical gift for a new baby? Paulette has made over 50 flannel burp cloths. They are double thickness and just the right width for throwing over a shoulder.
Each cloth is quilted and the edges serged, allowing them to be laundered over and over. They are $3 each or 4 for $10.
The variety of projects offered on-line for sale now and at the Quilt Etc. Sale in October is possible because of the variety of quilters in our community. I found this drawing on Facebook –believe it applies to our community.
The uniqueness of each member in our community is our strength.
Quilts, Etc. 