February 23, 2000
Quilting guild stitches together for a good cause
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Working with machine-like precision, members of the Pine-Needlers Quilting Guild turned out more than 50 quilts Saturday during their sixth annual Quilt-A-Thon. The Traverse City Senior Center hummed from morning to late afternoon as more than 60 volunteers stitched, ironed, tied and bound the quilts, lap robes and comforters.
"I come every year to sew because it is for a good cause," said Elizabeth Olsen of Buckley, one of the younger members of the guild, which features three generations of quilters.
These handmade treasures will be donated to local charities, including the Women's Resource Center, the Doula Teen Parent Program and area nursing homes. The Pine-Needlers Guild has donated more than 500 since starting the annual Quilt-A-Thon six years ago.
The bulk of them go to the Women's Resource Center, a special destination for the quilters who decided before the first Quilt-A-Thon to use their sewing skills to help women at the Helen's House shelter. Each woman who comes for a stay at the shelter leaves with at least one quilt, more if she has children. The Pine-Needlers Guild has also donated larger, showpiece quilts to the Women's Resource Center for auction at their annual Extravaganza fund-raiser.
"Some women come to our shelter with only the clothes on the back," said Carmen Slendek, director of development and volunteer services for the Women's Resource Center. "It really means a great deal to them to have something tangible to take with them."
The Quilt-A-Thon is like a finely-honed machine, churning out finished quilts using a production line that would make Henry Ford proud. It featured ten workstations, each fully staffed and equipped to make a quilt. Each workstation was led by a station master, who rounded up volunteers and the required equipment for the day. The equipment included two sewing machines, an ironing board, an iron, a matte and a rotary cutter.
During the Quilt-A-Thon, many of the quilts just need finishing as members work throughout the year to make the tops. Quilters from around the community chip in, too; one woman donated eight quilt tops though she did not attend the Quilt-A-Thon.
"We're just the mechanics who put the quilt together at the end," said Shirley Perin of Traverse City.
Other materials such as needles, thread, yarn, batting and backing material are also donated by members and area craft and sewing stores for the Quilt-A-Thon.
"The donations make a real difference," said Mary Remintgon, who as president six years ago inaugurated the Quilt-A-Thon. "You don't have to be a member of the Pine-Needlers to participate. So many non-members called me this year and wanted to come and help out."
Charlene Chagnon was one of the non-members who came ready to sew for the day. New to the area, she jumped right into the fray and began helping with the final tying process, talking and visiting with those around her.
"Quilters are a very nice, friendly group of people," said Chagnon, a long-time sewer who is newer to quilting. "I had heard of the Pine-Needlers, but had not contacted them yet. I thought the Quilt-A-Thon would be a good way to meet people since I'm new to the area."