December 18, 2004

Quilting tradition comes to end for the year with raffle

By Emily Morris
Tidings Correspondent

Sewing machines have advanced to the computerized stage, and labor-intensive hand quilting has become increasingly rare.

Tradition continues to reign though during the twice-weekly Plymouth Guild quilting circles.

For 13 years, the members of the all-woman fellowship at the Congregational Church in Ashland have met from February to October to hand piece and quilt a functional work of art to be raffled the Sunday before Christmas.

This year, the ladies have really outdone themselves, creating a large red queen-sized quilt blending traditional blocks and unique quilted patterns. It is named Indonesian Fantasy for a stunning red and white Indonesian batik featured prominently in the quilt.

"It's a biggie this year, and beautiful," said one of the quilters, Sheila Hungerford. Hungerford said the women made the pattern up based on a quilt they saw last year at the Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show.

The quilting circles began in 1991, when retired teacher Betty Swinnerton moved to Ashland from the Midwest and joined the Guild. During fundraising discussions, she raised the possibility of making a quilt, she said.

"Nobody knew how to quilt then, so I was quite the guru," said Swinnerton, confiding that she herself was inexperienced at the time. "Each year we get better quilts and better quilters."

The quilt is displayed throughout the month of December, and raffle tickets are sold to benefit the Guild's causes, such as the minister's discretionary fund, which the minister can use for the community as seen fit, and summer camp scholarships for kids and mentally disabled adults, Hungerford said.

This year, the bulk of the proceeds will go towards the church's major renovation effort, said Swinnerton.

For about 40 years, the women of the Plymouth Guild have been have been active in fundraisers for the church. Nowadays, it has become a social activity for all the women involved.

After putting so much work into one project, it can be hard to give up.

"It is like giving away one of your children," Hungerford said with a laugh.

Raffle tickets can be purchased through the church office at 482-1981 for $1 or 6 tickets for $5.