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Piecemakers Quilt Guild providing comfort for children, others in need
McCOOK, Neb. --There's something about a quilt.
It's stitched with love. And, with love, it's draped around the shoulders of a friend, or tucked under the arms and legs of a sleepy child.
Nestled under a quilt, it's easy to let the day's woes slip away.
"There's comfort in a quilt," says quilter Beverly Dodge of McCook. Bev and fellow members of the Piecemakers Quilt Guild, "want to comfort people, especially little ones."
That's why the Piecemakers Quilt Guild is making quilts for children in foster care, and for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Services (DASSS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHH) and Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska.
DHHS is in need of twin-size quilts and pillowcases, particularly for boys. DASSS would appreciate twin-size quilts as well, for boys and girls, and full-size and queen-size quilts for women. Community Action has a need for toddler bed quilts, and for full/queen quilts for adults.
Bev said the Piecemakers know it's important to remember that there are residents of McCook and the area who need the comfort that quilts can bring to their lives. That's why the Guild is making 60 quilts to donate to the four organizations.
Guild members "blew past" their first goal of making 20 quilts, and are well on their way to their second goal of 60 quilts, Bev said. "We are so excited about what we can do for our community," she said.
Guild members are working with donated fabrics and supplies and time and talent. "We sought 200 yards of donated fabrics," Bev said, and they received 300 yards. And then 500 yards. "When material is priced anywhere from $9.99 and up, these donations of fabrics are wonderful gifts," Bev said.
Guild members Jamie O'Byrne and Lisa Soflin, co-owners of "Quacky Quilters" in downtown McCook, are donating the machine quilting, tapping into the 7,000 computerized quilting patterns available on their high-tech long-arm quilting machine.
Project coordinators selected two "Easy-Peasy" quilt patterns -- one with panels, another with squares -- designed to "stitch up in a hurry." They matched up complementary fabrics and bundled the unfinished quilt top "kits" together. Many Guild members have taken quilt kits home to work on; they also work on the quilts when they get together at their monthly meetings.
With their goal in sight now, Guild members have reached a point where they need help with the cost of quilting supplies. And they would like to find someone who can assist Jamie with machine quilting. "I know there are people who would help us help others who are experiencing a time of insecurity and need," Bev said.
Supplies for one finished quilt can run up to $225, Bev said, requiring several yards of fabric, batting and backing, and many hours of piecing before it is quilted and then bound with an edging.
Monetary donations of any size will be used to purchase batting, backing, thread and the machine quilting. Prairie Winds PC's and McCook National Bank have each "adopted" a quilt and have provided the funding to complete "their" quilts.
"Support is key to the success of the Guild's community mission," Bev said.
Guild members agree on this thought posted on their Facebook: "As quilters, we are all aware of how much comfort and security can be gained from a quilt. We are so blessed that our love for our art can be shared with others."
For more information on the Piecemakers Quilt Guild charity quilt project, contact Guild president Beverly Dodge at (308) 345-2553.
Donations made payable to "Piecemakers Quilt Guild" can be taken to or mailed to Jamie's shop, "Quacky Quilters," at 112 West C in downtown McCook, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.