Quilters show up in droves for newly-formed Clinton Quilters group

By Carole Kelly

Quilting, an art or a craft?

Wendy Harris, an organizer of the newly-formed Clinton Quilters, calls it “the art of quilting.”  However quilting is defined, a February kickoff meeting of the Clinton Quilters at the Quisenberry Library attracted nearly seventy enthusiastic quilters.

“The first meeting had participants standing at the back wall and out the door of the room,” says Harris, who, with her friend Dorothy Orr, have formed the Clinton Quilters. They are ready to welcome both the seasoned quilters, those wanting to learn quilting techniques, and even those needing tips on operating their sewing machines.

“We had reserved a small room,” Harris recalls.  “But the turnout was so good February 1, we had to move to the larger meeting room.”  Quilters arrived from Carthage, Brookhaven and Vicksburg, as well as the Jackson-Clinton area for the first meeting and the second on March 15.  The next meeting will be April 12.

Quilting time is the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.  For now, the sessions include machine quilting, with the possibility of expanding to hand quilting in the future.

People wanting to join the group are urged to text or call, in order to allow planning for adequate space for quilters and sewing machines.  Numbers to call are 601-506-7854 or 601-953-2807.

Harris says, “We have an overall purpose, donating some quilts to good causes, such as veterans, families who need them, to police, fire stations, hospitals and nursing homes.”

A flier distributed throughout the area states, “Let’s stitch together a community of creativity and friendship.”  A mission statement expresses the aim to preserve and promote the art of quilting through creativity, collaboration and community engagement.

“We really want to make our quilting efforts a part of sharing with our communities,” says Harris.

Although several quilting groups meet throughout the area, the Saturday sessions fill a need for those who work during the week. Both organizers work, and for some time discussed the possibility of beginning a Saturday quilting session.

“We kept talking about it and met up at Jamie’s in December.  That’s when we finally stepped up and said it’s time to take action,” says Harris.  “There’s something very rewarding to see people meeting to quilt. It’s a great feeling to see someone’s joy when she learns to make a quilt block. Recently I had the pleasure of quilting a pillow for a friend. It was made with quilt blocks cut from her late mother’s shirts, a special memory.”

Harris points out that her fellow organizer Orr is a talented quilter who has studied the art or skill of quilting by the book.

“She is the teacher.  I’m a self-taught quilter.”

The art of quilting dates back to the nineteenth century with the end result being a layered textile with a decorative top, warm filler or batting and then backing.  Intricate designs and beautiful stitches continue to attract prospective quilters.

“It’s art and craft, as well as history,” says Harris. She laughs recalling that she got custody of a family quilt for which no one professed any particular interest. “We are talking family history,” she said to younger members. “This special quilt is from the hands of your great-grandmother!”

Her family testimony includes an ongoing quilting process.

“My grandmother and I started a handmade cathedral window. She has passed, but I still work on it from time to time. Also, my family does a family quilt every year. The women and some of the men do a square for each member of their family.  I gather them and monogram each person’s name on his or her square plus a square that says ‘Family Quilt’ and the year.  We draw at Christmas when everyone is together.  Once your family name has been drawn, you are out of the drawing until each family has a quilt.  Then all the family names are put back in the drawing. The family receiving the quilt chooses the square for the next year.  So many good memories. The guys really like quilting on the longarm.”

Intrigued by “quilting on the longarm?” It’s time to call and reserve a spot with the Clinton Quilters, next meeting April 12.

SIDEBAR:

The next meeting of the Clinton Quilters will be on April 12. To reserve a spot or for more information, call 601-506-7854 or 601-953-2807.