By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff
Those who participate in any social craft know the importance of having friends to support you. Whether it’s a sewing circle, a quilting guild, or a knitting group, crafters know that there is something to be gained from the social side of their handiwork. This year, perhaps more than ever, that social side took on new importance as the pandemic left many confined in their homes and lonely.
For a year, the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild (RNQG), which describes itself as a non-profit group organized to preserve the tradition, culture and history of quilting and to promote the knowledge and understanding of the art of quilting, has been bringing members online for Zoom meetings. Prior to pandemic-era restrictions, the group had met in person at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole.
Each month, the group now hosts two sew-alongs for those who wish to work together. On Sunday, June 27, quilters joined promptly at 10 a.m. to work on their projects, discuss techniques, and have some fun. The RNQG serves in three main ways: teaching the craft of quilting, making it more accessible, and giving back to the communities of members.
Sunday’s meeting began with general catchup for the week, taking the time for members to ask questions and summarize how their projects have gone since they last met. One member noted her frustration with a sewing machine and a broken needle. “What I’m making will probably become a cat mat,” joked another one. Two members shared their excitement of meeting with each other in person for the first time since the pandemic started. Members pulled out fabric they had been piecing together as others began sewing together pieces of their own projects.
The RNQG functions not only as a quilting group where people can work on projects together but also as a way to make the craft more accessible. Along with providing good sources for materials, each member comes with their own knowledge of the craft. As one member pondered an issue with her sewing machine, another chimed in that another member would probably have an answer for how to fix the problem. “I know when you are working on an appliqué, you’re supposed to use the color of the top fabric. What would you use for this? Would you use the white or the red?” one member asked. Appliqué is a technique in quilting applying one fabric to another, sewing both together so that there is little to no sign of its addition. Members shared their thoughts on the matter, suggesting using the darker of the two colors, while also referring to other absent members who knew a lot about the subject.
Moving to a Zoom format has led to a few adjustments to ensure that everyone can enjoy the meetings. “We’ve found that it’s best to stick to quiet work,” said RNQG President Venera Emmi. Quiet works refer to hand stitching or cutting pieces, rather than using a machine that might be picked up on the Zoom microphone. “If you’re not talking, your machine doesn’t make as much noise. You can actually sew if you don’t talk.” Most members stuck with quiet work for the day to ensure that conversations flowed.
After learning the ins and out of Zoom from the Global Quilt Guild, the group began their sew-alongs to keep up with each other during the pandemic. “We didn’t know what was going to happen. We just started these sew-alongs this year just to take advantage of Zoom a little bit more, because people were so isolated. We knew it would give us the opportunity to spend a little bit more time together,” explained Emmi. “Different people come at different times. We get work done, we have great conversations.”
While the pandemic has caused the postponement of many of their regular events, members can see that there are some positives to meeting on Zoom. “Everyone gets a front-row seat,” said one member. “You don’t have to worry about sitting in the back of the room during a Zoom meeting." Often, attendees also get to unassumingly enjoy the finished products of their fellow artists, with quilts decorating member's walls in the background.
“I’m starting to really look forward to our in-person meetings, too,” added Renate Parisek. “As much as I enjoyed the Zoom meeting, I’m looking forward to being surrounded by people again.”
To be considered a quilt, a piece has to have three layers that are then sewed together through the sections. One could argue that a quilting guild is comprised of three distinct layers, too: working on projects, sharing knowledge, and helping fellow quilters to share their art. As it has throughout its history - which now includes weathering a world-stopping pandemic - the RNQG will continue to do all three.
