Deaf quilters find camaraderie in their handiwork

Miss-Delectable · 05-12-2008, 11:02 PM

Deaf quilters find camaraderie in their handiwork - Rochester, NY - MPNnow

The group of women seated around four tables — arranged in a square — are bathed in the natural light pouring from the large windows in the North Chili Community Center auditorium.

Their hands are busy cutting, sewing, pinning, stuffing and signing. The whir of the sewing machines doesn’t drown out their conversation — because the members of this club are deaf.

The Chili quilters club meets every Friday — from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — to make crafts, catch up with one another and keep up with the latest techniques.

“Oh my goodness,” said Elsie Sullivan, a part-time clerk for the town who works at the community center. “Some of their quilts are just beautiful.”

Sullivan has learned to communicate with the women in the club, though they sometimes rely on writing things out to get their message across. She recently purchased a patriotic-themed tapestry quilt in red, white and blue for $10 from the club, and she’s also asked club members to help her with an old quilt she started but never completed.

“Quite a few years ago, I made the top of a Christmas quilt,” Sullivan said. “I never had a place to put it and I’ve lost interest now, but I wouldn’t mind getting it finished.”

According to Kathy Greenawault of Chili, the club donates their crafts to hospitals, schools, wounded American veterans, disabled children, day-care centers and other organizations. They also sell them as a fundraiser for the club.

Member Valerie Trowbridge of Chili gives away some of her quilts as gifts.

Greenawault said the club is about camaraderie and an opportunity to learn from one another. Even after 14 years attending the weekly quilting sessions, there’s always something new to learn, she said.

“Like any other arts, techniques are always changing,” she writes.

Anyone interested in joining the Chili quilters club, donating fabric scraps or purchasing any of their handiwork is welcome to stop by the North Chili Community Center, 4400 Buffalo Road, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

05-12-2008, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 8,170	Deaf quilters find camaraderie in their handiwork Deaf quilters find camaraderie in their handiwork - Rochester, NY - MPNnow The group of women seated around four tables — arranged in a square — are bathed in the natural light pouring from the large windows in the North Chili Community Center auditorium. Their hands are busy cutting, sewing, pinning, stuffing and signing. The whir of the sewing machines doesn’t drown out their conversation — because the members of this club are deaf. The Chili quilters club meets every Friday — from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — to make crafts, catch up with one another and keep up with the latest techniques. “Oh my goodness,” said Elsie Sullivan, a part-time clerk for the town who works at the community center. “Some of their quilts are just beautiful.” Sullivan has learned to communicate with the women in the club, though they sometimes rely on writing things out to get their message across. She recently purchased a patriotic-themed tapestry quilt in red, white and blue for $10 from the club, and she’s also asked club members to help her with an old quilt she started but never completed. “Quite a few years ago, I made the top of a Christmas quilt,” Sullivan said. “I never had a place to put it and I’ve lost interest now, but I wouldn’t mind getting it finished.” According to Kathy Greenawault of Chili, the club donates their crafts to hospitals, schools, wounded American veterans, disabled children, day-care centers and other organizations. They also sell them as a fundraiser for the club. Member Valerie Trowbridge of Chili gives away some of her quilts as gifts. Greenawault said the club is about camaraderie and an opportunity to learn from one another. Even after 14 years attending the weekly quilting sessions, there’s always something new to learn, she said. “Like any other arts, techniques are always changing,” she writes. Anyone interested in joining the Chili quilters club, donating fabric scraps or purchasing any of their handiwork is welcome to stop by the North Chili Community Center, 4400 Buffalo Road, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. __________________

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