The Methodist Quilters need more people who love to wield their needles finishing quilts. They also are seeking more quilt tops to hand stitch.
Some quilters are Methodists, but many are not. However, they are all volunteers.
They get their name because they meet at the First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista.
For more than 30 years, the nimble fingers of these volunteers have pushed needles through the quilt tops, batting and fabric backing. The artistry of the quilt pattern and authenticity of hand stitching create works of art.
The volunteers charge for their handwork and then donate money raised to local charities. In 2014, they raised $3,000 and donated money to Bella Vista Animal Shelter, Habitat of Benton County Inc., Helping Hands, Hope Cancer Resources, Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter, Oasis, Restoration Village, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Sunshine School and Development Center and Village House.
Right now, the group has about 11 quilters. Many times not all of the quilters are there because they are retired and travel or enjoy other activities.
Finishing a quilt can take months depending on the size of the quilt, the complexity of the quilting pattern and the number of volunteers available to work.
"We are willing to train anyone who has a desire to learn how to hand sew a quilt," quilter Marilyn Frisby said. "Experienced quilters are welcomed with red carpet and trumpet fanfare."
These quilters, who love to sew, need quilting projects to work on.
If a person has a quilt top that has been pieced together but not yet quilted, he or she needs the group.
They'll charge five cents a square-inch for their work.
The work begins when quilters loosely baste the top, batting and bottom fabric resulting in a "quilt sandwich."
Then, they attach the sandwich to a wooden frame. After it is on the frame, several quilters will gather around and start sewing along the pattern.
The volunteers meet once a week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays at the church. They usually bring sack lunches but several times a year they have potlucks.
Also, it's not all quilting and sewing. It's like an old-fashioned quilting bee. The sewers solve problems during discussions around the quilt.
They also tell stories about growing up, talk about movies and good or bad books and, of course, hash over the latest quilting fabrics and styles.
The volunteers love that they help their community and they get to hand sew beautiful works of art. Best of all they get to give people finished quilts to hang on their walls or use on their beds. They're no longer hidden away in a drawer or closet.
To ask the group to finish a quilt or see about volunteering, email Dorothy Day at [email protected] or call her at 479-855-7006.
Community on 04/22/2015