For the past six months, members of the “Nancy’s Quilts” group have met Thursdays at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Bradford not only to make quilted lap robes for residents of The Pavilion at Bradford Regional Medical Center, but also to socialize and visit.
The quilting group, which was originally organized 26 years ago by the late Nancy Billings, had fallen by the wayside following Billings’ death in June but recently reorganized, said Linda Lamborn, group spokesperson.
Lamborn said Billings had formed the group, with the blessings of the former pastor, the Rev. Doug Soley, after her research indicated there was a need for lap robes at The Pavilion.
During the ensuing 26 years, the group gathered weekly and created approximately 1,600 tied quilts, or lap robes, for the senior citizens. Lamborn said the group has had as many as eight members at a time over the years and as few as three prior to its disbanding last summer. She said the group met at Billings’ residences over the years, but moved its operations to the church following its reorganization in October. After it restarted, the group also took on its first-ever name, “Nancy’s Quilts” in honor of Billings.
In addition, the group created tags for the quilts that carry the name of the organization as well as the church. Since regrouping, the quilters, consisting of seven women, have made approximately 60 quilts for the nursing home residents.
Lamborn said that while the church’s outreach ministry has provided some materials and funding for the quilts, they have also received donations from the community for the endeavor.
She said each of the tied quilts, which are created from 45-inch squares of material with batting in between, are tied together with multiple pieces of yarn that are stitched through the three layers and knotted off on top. The lap robes are completed with stitching on the edges. Each quilt takes, on average, three to four hours to create. Each batch of 18 quilts or so are blessed by the Rev. Tom Pierotti during a Sunday service prior to their delivery to the nursing home.
Quilting member Bonnie Anderson said the project has given her pride in their work and the church.
“Years ago, when I worked (at The Pavilion) and someone got a quilt, I was so proud to say they were made at my church,” Anderson recalled. “People were really happy to get them.”
Lamborn said the group can always use donations of 45-inch square fabric of any color or design and yarn. She said the two pieces of fabric used to create the top and bottom of the lap robe are considered more durable for nursing home use, where they may receive multiple washings.
“They’re under a lot of stress because they go through the industrial washers and people are sitting on them and everything,” Lamborn said of the quilts.
She said monetary donations would be welcome to purchase additional yarns, materials or batting.
For more information on the program, or to make a donation, call the church office at 362-4347.
