One of three handmade quilts donated by the members of the St. Joseph’s Monday Quilting Group. Displaying the quilt are Lorraine Murphy, left, and Rose Driver Jones. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
A group of women who meet once a week at the St. Joseph’s Hall to sew and spend time with one another recently donated three handmade quilts to the Health Sciences geriatric ward.
Lifelong sewer Elizabeth Nolan said that it felt good to be able to donate the quilts, knowing the comfort they will bring to patients.
The club, said Nolan, is a mix of experienced quilters and newcomers, that allows the veteran crafters to enjoy sharing their quilting know-how with other members the group.
“We share ideas if anyone needs any help with the project they’re working on,” said Nolan. “Any given day, everybody is working on a different project, but for the quilts, we would all come together and sew together and share our ideas.”
Member Lorraine Murphy said quilting is relaxing, though she admits she prefers to knit.
“There were days I took my knitting if I didn’t feel like dragging my sewing machine and materials,” said Murphy. “Now, towards the end, we did purchase some equipment to leave at the hall.”
While the group is dedicated to sewing, Murphy said the members are free to choose how they spend their time at the hall.
“Most ladies brought whatever they were working on,” said Murphy. “We did a few things as a group in whole. Like at Christmas time we made a Christmas wreath, and everybody worked on that as one… But whether you quilted, or came for a cup of tea and a chat or read a book, it was entirely up to you. But most of the ladies did their quilting.”
The group, about 15 in number, has been meeting each Monday since September, and held a special luncheon on May 26 to close out a successful first year.
Meetings will resume in September, and new members are welcome to join. No experience is necessary. Charitable projects will remain a core focus of the club.
