Community quilt to be auctioned a second time

Text and Photo by Jude Mead

Quilting and quilting circles have a long history in Norfolk. Twenty-five years ago a group of 19 women from the community gathered together and made a quilt as a fund-raiser for the Church of Christ Congregational. The quilt was raffled off, and the lucky winner was Norfolk’s own Virginia Russ Chalmers. The quilt has been with her ever since.

According to Chalmers, it has been an important part of her life. Perhaps because her mother, Elaine Russ, had been influential in getting the project organized and was one of the main quilters. “I remember the quilt was hanging on display in the back room of the library while the raffle was going on. My mother had retired from her teaching job at the Botelle School a few years before and had begun spending more time with such projects as quilting,” said Chalmers.

Although Chalmers is attached to the quilt, she has been downsizing and decided to

donate the quilt back to the church to auction off again as a fund-raiser. “Lately I have been cleaning out many corners and extra spaces at our home, trying to downsize. Donating this quilt back to the Norfolk Church of Christ Congregational seemed like a good solution,” said Chalmers.

Suzanne Hinman was one of the women quilters and a young mom at the time. “I used to sew during my kids’ nap time. We also used to quilt during playgroup time and that inspired me. I used to make quilts for my kids and for gifts,” said Hinman. Today she is still quilting. “I just made a signature quilt for my cousin’s wedding where each guest had a square of fabric and wrote or drew a picture on it. That was a really fun project. I have also made hanging quilts and am working on quilts for my grandsons,” she said.

Hinman enjoys finding fabrics and designs that represent the person. Most important to her, however, is making something by hand and gifting it. So when she was asked to join in making the Norfolk quilt, she jumped at the opportunity.

Making quilts has been an American tradition since colonial times. Back then, quilting was a necessity. The quilts were made of any piece of fabric that could be recycled. They were called patchwork quilts and were used for everything from window coverings to bed quilts. The idea of quilting started as an essential item for the poor and eventually became a luxury hobby for the wealthy. By the mid-1800s, quilting took off in popularity.

Catherine Kane, who owns Brookside Quilts in Egremont, Mass., has made over 50 quilts. “I have always loved textiles and design work. I learned to quilt from my dad, who was quilting before me and took it up when he retired,” said Kane. Her quilt shop is where someone can begin with a lesson or class. “We typically sew pieces together by using a machine. The fabric goes together like a puzzle,” said Kane. 

Kane likes helping others learn to quilt and appreciates the history of quilts. In her shop is a museum filled with quilts of different styles and patterns. “Upstairs in the shop is where we have our ongoing exhibit. People can come in and see some very beautiful hanging quilts,” she said.

It is nice to know that the practice of quilting continues today. Although styles and methods in the craft have changed, quilt-making continues as an active and vibrant part of our heritage. Quilters, especially the 19 who contributed to making the Norfolk quilt, made something that expressed their values and personalities. Let’s hope quilters continue to make their own distinctive contributions to this decorative art form.