WI members quilt for a cause

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Under a provincial Women’s Institute initiative, the Martock and Windsor Forks WI are busy again this winter quilting for those in need. Over the past four years, the local service club has crafted 150 quilts for organizations such as the Salvation Army, who distribute the items to homeless shelters. So far, 25 quilts have been completed and adorn the staircase at Ruth Daniels farmhouse on the Chester Road, waiting for pick up.

The WI members meet at the Daniels home every Tuesday to cut, lay out squares, tie and stitch the 12-by-12-inch blocks of fabric into heavy blankets. Daniels said the quilts are sized to fit a standard single bed. “In the shelters, the beds are small.”

She pointed out they also like to batten the quilts with wool blankets and are happy to accept any donations of those. “We like to fill them with wool, that’s what makes them nice and warm.”

Daniels noted that it’s nice to know what they do has value, even if they don’t see it first hand. “If you’re homeless, you will get one of our quilts,” she said. “When the Salvations Army lady came and saw all the finished quilts she cried. People are cold, there is a need.”

And what doesn’t get done at the Daniels house, the women take home. “We do the works,” said Joan Havilm, “We’ll take them home later to bind them.” Although none claim to be expert quilters, each of the 35 members contributes in some way to the finished piece. “I’m not much of a designer, I’d rather cut,” Joy Davidson said as she organized the blocks of fabric laid out on her table. “Some turn out prettier than others, but I guess when you’re cold it won’t matter too much.”

The Salvation Army will also hand out quilts along with soup and hot drinks to homeless persons on the street during the colder months. “It’s nice to know they are used wisely.”

There is the social element to the Tuesday gathering, which helps with morale. “We take a break and all have a nice lunch together. It’s really like a social club,” Davidson said.

This group of WI members ranges in age from 60 to 90 years and have been quilting together for years. “None of us are real young,” said eldest member Gladys Gummer. She said it is difficult to get younger women involved. “They’re all working now, or have kids to take care of.” But for her it’s a perfect fit. “It’s nice to be doing something, otherwise we’d just be sitting around.”