Quilters have "sew much love" for residents

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A stitch in time saves nine, but Jennings at Brecksville residents gave a "10" to the Keep Us In Stitches Quilt Club. Club members came in for a fabulous interactive presentation about quilting and shared the fruits of their talents.

Director of Life Enrichment Linda Begley connected with the group's membership director about providing a program. "Many residents sewed in their lives," Linda explained. "So they loved touching the various quilted items and checking out the stitching. The men were amazed at what the women made!"

We soon learned that The Keep Us in Stitches Quilt Club has been meeting for 42 years, and they usually have about 20-30 members meet regularly at the North Royalton Library. We enjoyed reminiscing about beautiful quilts and handmade items. Janet, a resident at Jennings, remembers that her mom had a quilt stretcher that she would take around the neighborhood. This generous club brought quilted items that they raffled as prizes for residents, who were thrilled with their gifts!

The Keep Us in Stitches Quilt Club makes an average of 200 lap quilts each year, among other items, that are mostly for charitable organizations. The group is part of the larger Northeast Ohio Regional Quilt Council. Member Nancy Dimitris shared that it is a very social group, one of "a whole network of little quilt groups all over the country."

Nancy added that many of the members are retired - some of the members are almost professional and others hardly quilt or are beginners. "When we have our community service meetings at the library (where they are sewing), many people stop in to see what we're up to." She noted that the group worked with a Browine group to teach sewing; it made her think of when she was learning to sew potholders as a Brownie and sewed her potholder to her uniform!

The Keep Us In Stitches Quilt Club adds new projects or special presentations at each meeting, such as creating their "Ugly Fabric Challenge." Another time they played Musical Chairs in which everyone passes their bad piece around (Nancy notes that everyone has one!); when the music stops you are stuck with the piece in your hand. Ultimately, the members are very charitable, sewing bags and totes, jumpers for children in third world countries, wheelchair covers, incubator covers for babies and Halloween pillowcases for children in hospitals to get treats. Jennings residents are grateful for their time and their talent!

Guests are always welcome to observe or join. Find them at facebook.com/keepusinstitchesquiltclub for more information.