MONROE - It only made sense that the Courthaus Quilters would gather Saturday to recognize "National Quilt Day."
Surrounded by fabric and pattern ideas, 13 women met in the auditorium in the Government Services Building at the Pleasant View Complex to work on their quilts.
When most people think of making quilts they picture women gathered around a kitchen table, carefully sewing small pieces of cloth together.
Some aspects of making quilts haven't changed; plenty of hours and a great amount of creativity go into making a quilt. What has changed is the use of sewing machine, which makes quilting easier. Another thing that's changed is the type of fabric used to make quilts.
Kris Winkler, Monroe, said most people buy the fabrics they want to use to make a quilt. For the past few months, the ladies in the group exchanged fabrics. It gives them new colors and ideas for their works.
"It gave us a lot of variety," Winkler said.
Years ago, it was more common for quilters to use cloth from old clothes. Some people still use old shirts or dresses from a family member or a friend.
"It's a neat way to remember them," Winkler said.
Quilts come in all sizes. Some of the women Saturday made large quilts for beds at home while others made lap quilts to give to friends or seniors in nursing homes.
The patterns for quilts Saturday were as diverse as the group itself. Most of the women use patterns they found in magazines or books, but some come up with their own ideas.
"The patterns are limitless," Alice Brooks, Monroe, said.
Courthaus Quilters range in age from 28 to 88. Some have years of experience in making quilts, while others are relatively new to the hobby.
What all of them share is creativity and the enjoyment they get from meeting others who are also interested in quilting.
"This is a great place to make friends," Sue Crooks, Orangeville, Ill., said. "Everybody is so helpful."
Crooks is new to the group. She has been sewing since she was 10-years-old but she wanted to learn how to do more than just sew. Quilting gave her a chance to learn new ways to use her sewing machine, she said, jokingly.
Making quilts can be done with a group of friends or it can be done at home.
"It's a hobby you can pick up and walk away from when you have something else to do," Brooks said.
Sue Wild, Monticello, said she enjoys sitting in front of the television when she quilts.
"It's very relaxing," she said.
The Courthaus Quilters meet at 6:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of each month, in the Pleasant View dining room. Dues are $15 a year.
More information is available by calling president Betsy Lauer at 325-2248 or e-mail group at courthausquilters@tds.net.
Surrounded by fabric and pattern ideas, 13 women met in the auditorium in the Government Services Building at the Pleasant View Complex to work on their quilts.
When most people think of making quilts they picture women gathered around a kitchen table, carefully sewing small pieces of cloth together.
Some aspects of making quilts haven't changed; plenty of hours and a great amount of creativity go into making a quilt. What has changed is the use of sewing machine, which makes quilting easier. Another thing that's changed is the type of fabric used to make quilts.
Kris Winkler, Monroe, said most people buy the fabrics they want to use to make a quilt. For the past few months, the ladies in the group exchanged fabrics. It gives them new colors and ideas for their works.
"It gave us a lot of variety," Winkler said.
Years ago, it was more common for quilters to use cloth from old clothes. Some people still use old shirts or dresses from a family member or a friend.
"It's a neat way to remember them," Winkler said.
Quilts come in all sizes. Some of the women Saturday made large quilts for beds at home while others made lap quilts to give to friends or seniors in nursing homes.
The patterns for quilts Saturday were as diverse as the group itself. Most of the women use patterns they found in magazines or books, but some come up with their own ideas.
"The patterns are limitless," Alice Brooks, Monroe, said.
Courthaus Quilters range in age from 28 to 88. Some have years of experience in making quilts, while others are relatively new to the hobby.
What all of them share is creativity and the enjoyment they get from meeting others who are also interested in quilting.
"This is a great place to make friends," Sue Crooks, Orangeville, Ill., said. "Everybody is so helpful."
Crooks is new to the group. She has been sewing since she was 10-years-old but she wanted to learn how to do more than just sew. Quilting gave her a chance to learn new ways to use her sewing machine, she said, jokingly.
Making quilts can be done with a group of friends or it can be done at home.
"It's a hobby you can pick up and walk away from when you have something else to do," Brooks said.
Sue Wild, Monticello, said she enjoys sitting in front of the television when she quilts.
"It's very relaxing," she said.
The Courthaus Quilters meet at 6:30 p.m., the fourth Monday of each month, in the Pleasant View dining room. Dues are $15 a year.
More information is available by calling president Betsy Lauer at 325-2248 or e-mail group at courthausquilters@tds.net.