Piecemakers celebrates ten years! In 2003, Debi Morton was looking for a way to get together with others who loved quilting as much as she, so she thought to start a group. She had no idea what a Quilt Group even did at their meetings and decided to get some help. Having heard of a lady at Fair Field Bay named Patty Allen, who was a machine quilter, she decided to give her a call to see if she would help. Patty wanted to think about it before she agreed to help; but, in the mean time, she mentioned several Quilt Groups she knew of, one being the AR Quilt Guild and another, Daisy Patch Quilters. Debi decided to check out these groups and see what they did so she would have an idea of what she would like to see in a club. A couple of weeks later Patty called and said she would help start a club in Clinton. Patty and Debi met for lunch and set out a plan for the club, picking the things they liked about each club and making their own. Patty agreed to write a newspaper article and Debi found a meeting place and put an announcement on the Radio Community Calendar calling all quilters to attend a meeting at Petit Jean Electric for the formation of a Quilt Group in Clinton. They really didn’t have a clue if anyone would attend that first meeting, but much to their surprise, around 30 ladies came. Needless to say, there was a need and a desire for a Quilt Group in Clinton. They voted on names and “Piecemakers” got the most votes. Patty, having been involved in Quilt Groups before, agreed to be the first President. Since that day, Piecemakers have met every third Wednesday of the month for the last 10 years.
Piecemakers Quilt Club was organized ten years ago, and on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 that occasion was celebrated by more than thirty club members. Seven of the charter members who were involved in Piecemakers from the beginning were in attendance: Vicky Allen, Doris Brown, Eloise Brown, Pamela Davis, Janet Kuykendall, Debi Morton and Diane Smith. These ladies were recognized with a gift of a charter member pin. The club celebrated the years of quilting camaraderie and friendship with a gift exchange and a pizza party after the business meeting. Happy Birthday Piecemakers!
Club members and guests were welcomed by Linda LaDoux, club Vice-President; Doris Brown gave the treasurers report; and Victoria Banks, Club President, conducted the business meeting. Eloise Brown invited Block of the Month participants to show their mystery blocks for July. Shari Wisniewski was the winner of the prize drawing. Eloise showed the blocks for August and explained the directions. In September, Eloise will teach our Sit and Sew and we will be making a small duffle bag (6 x 7 x 11 ½). Even though it is still two months away, she passed out instructions, with homework to do before the September meeting. Jan Savu began taking sign ups for upcoming Fall Retreat, which will be held at Mount Eagle September 30 through October 3. If any spaces are left, friends will be able to sign up in August. Kay Otis gave a report about the bus trip to the Hot Springs Quilt Fest. Everyone who went had a great time.
Victoria Banks thanked everyone for participating in the Community Project, making Port Pads for the Clinton Hospital. Since the need for these at the hospital is not as great as expected, it was suggested that we also start making hand pads for stroke patients at the nursing home. August is our community Sit and Sew, so cut your fabric and elastic, bring your sewing machine and supplies and we will make these hand pads. The Club will provide stuffing. The challenge for this month was the Four-Patch Posey Block. Over 20 blocks were made and members voted for their favorite block—Kay Otis was the winner! These blocks will be put together to make a donation quilt for the library.
Sew and Tell is always such a fun part of our meeting, when we can share our accomplishments. Today we saw: T-shirt quilt, hexagon quilt, bags, wall hanging; completed Civil War Sampler Quilt, baby quilt, wool project, welcome wall hanging, more bags, 1600-inch quilt, 3-generations of scraps placemats and more.
Kay Otis presented our Sit and Sew Program, making a microwave Soup Bowl Cozy. Many excited quilters gathered to make these handy holders for handling hot soup bowls from the microwave. Thank you Kay for this fun and useful project.
Piecemakers next meeting will be held on August 21 at the Methodist Church in Clinton at 10 a.m. Guests, prospective members and anyone interested in quilting are welcome to attend.