Audrey Gomez
Each Tuesday and Thursday, local seamstresses gather at the Senior Center to continue a tradition that dates back to 1932: the Jolly Stitchers Quilting Club.
Of course, while none of the current 10 members date back that far, some bring decades of experience to the table; others are learning a new skill.
“Anyone can join,” said Club President Pam Barbee.
When Barbee joined the group 10 years ago, she didn’t have any quilting experience but she did know how to sew.
“Usually if people have sewn, they can pick it up pretty quickly,” Barbee said.
She joined because of her mom, Marge Harer, who also is a member of the group.
A friend who was a member invited Clara Windom to join.
“She told me I’d better come and quilt,” Windom said.
That was in the 1980s and Windom is still stitching.
“Quilters have a way of hounding you until you join their forces,” said Georgia Berg, one of the group’s newer members.
Berg joined about a year ago and, like other inexperienced quilters, stitched on a practice piece before working on the group’s quilt project.
The group has been working on their current quilt for about four months. The fabric members use to create the quilts comes from donations – which are always welcome – and other sources.
“I brought the fabric all the way from Nevada,” Windom said.
The club sells raffle tickets throughout the year at different events, such as the Oregon Jamboree. They do the drawing in December. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5. They may also be purchased at the Senior Center.
Money raised goes to the Sweet Home Senior Center.
The Jolly Stitchers also contribute to different charities, such as The Hope Center, Pregnancy Crisis Center, Sweet Home Fire Department, Teen Challenge, Evergreen Hospice, and SafeHaven Humane Society.
“Some of us are pro-animal people,” Barbee said with a smile.