Art of quilting lives on with creativity, friendship and service across generations

GOSHEN, Ind. – Usually when Goshen College students attend the annual Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale, they see quilts auctioned off for the good cause of global relief which were made by people who remind them of their grandmothers back home.

But at this year's Relief Sale in Goshen in late September, a group of students were the creators of number 244 in the quilt program book: a 62 inch square sampler wall hanging with an international feel of blue, purple, red and yellow Batik fabrics.

The quilt was the culmination of a new program, "Passing on Traditions," which has not only produced contributions to aid in international relief and development, but has also built bridges of friendship across generations.

During weekly Wednesday night gatherings after a light supper together, about 50 college students – both men and women of varying levels of experience – contributed to the quilt during the spring of 2009. Though the group participants changed weekly, they cut the fabric, arranged the blocks and sewed them together. And they were joined by about 20 avid quilters – all women – from College Mennonite Church (CMC) to do the framing and quilting over several months. During these evenings together, students also learned how to tie comforters and knit, while sharing stories and fellowship as their hands and fingers moved needles and thread to create something new.

Kelly Frey, a sophomore nursing major from Shipshewana, Ind., attends CMC on Sundays while in school and found the Wednesday night gathering to offer a good break from her busy academic studies. "I learned that quilting and knitting with women equals quality conversation and bonding," Frey said. "I was able to feel more a part of the Sunday morning service once I recognized some people I had met on Wednesday nights. It's nice to know that these women are thinking of us throughout the week; I know they are praying for me, and that is comforting."

The intergenerational fellowship was also important for senior Bible and religion major Naomi Tice, from Salisbury, Pa. "Quilting nights were a way for me to unwind a bit and relax," she said. "As a transfer student last year, I still didn't know very many people by second semester. When you're quilting, the conversation is a lot less formal, and it's easier to get to know people."

Talashia Keim, the pastor of young adults at CMC, appreciates this ministry of her church which has been driven and run by members, as she attends and gets to know the students. "It's fun to work and talk. You get into different kinds of conversations when you are working on a project," she said. She has also seen friendships develop in that setting that have continued on. Once, she said, a student shared how she missed cooking while in college, and a woman from CMC invited her over to cook in her kitchen.

"This is a good place for them to meet people who don't look like them and aren't their age. This takes away any intimidation there might be between generations," Keim said. "The quilting is fun too."

The CMC women taught by demonstrating techniques and giving feedback, from how to hide a knot to how to make small, even stitches. When Tice found herself in uncharted territory as she was quilting, her elders offered her expert advice to handle some of the trickier moments. "I learned how to get your needle out of the fabric when it has snapped in half and part of it is stuck in the fabric," she said, with a smile. "I also learned to just tear a tiny piece of the batting off, wet it with your tongue, and use it to get rid of a blood stain that you've just inadvertently created if you don't have anything else handy."

The group was formed out of the theatrical production of "Quilters" in May 2008. Goshen College Professor of Music Deb Brubaker, a quilter herself, was one of the directors of that musical, and in teaching the actresses and crew how to quilt, excitement and interest developed for the lost art. She made connections with her church – College Mennonite Church, which shares the college campus – and the idea for a longer term opportunity to learn the art and craft of quilting was developed by Edna Rieth and others from the church's Mennonite Women group. When "Passing on Traditions" began in the fall semester, the group quickly knotted five comforters to send to refugee camps through Mennonite Central Committee.

"The students seem to like that the projects go to serve others," said Rebecca Sommers, a long-time quilter that has offered her expertise for this project.

When the 2009 Relief Sale quilt auction was over, the Batik wall hanging the students had completed – with varying sizes of stitches – had first sold for $350, and then was donated back to the sale and sold for another $170.

The money raised was important, but maybe not the most important outcome. Sommers said, "What I like about it is the big stitches next to the small stitches. I see it as a coming together."

Sophie Lapp, a first-year music and art major from Goshen, started attending the weekly gathering this school year. Though she had basic sewing skills, she found the group to be helpful in expanding her knowledge. "I really like quilts and it is always something I thought I would like to learn," she said. With that, maybe there will be quilt auctions at Relief Sales for many more years to come.

– By Jodi H. Beyeler

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.