Shelley Huber of Rex said the Busy Needles Quilt Guild’s donations are “critical” for the comfort of the people who receive them.

“It just gives them a sense of warmth and comfort when they know they’ve been handmade,” said Huber, a guild member since 2014.

The guild is continuing its mission to use their creative talents to put smiles on people’s faces. Huber, who was recently voted the group’s vice-president, said members gather their handmade quilts each month to deliver to local charities.

“There are other handmade items that charities need, not just quilts,” said Huber. “Some are crocheted or knitted that the charities ask for, for their needs. The items that we provide are not what these charities are funded for.”

Huber said her group – which typically averages 30-40 members each year – has made hundreds of quilts over the years.
“We usually have some kind of project every month,” said Huber. “We make everything from crib to king size.”

Huber said participants use their talents to benefit the community. She said quilt-making carries its own share of benefits.
“Quilting and doing these projects means something different for each member,” continued Huber. “Some do it for stress relief, some do it for PTSD because it gives them something to focus on, and some do it simply for the love of quilting.”

The guild recently held a Charity Kick Off Event at Wesley Way United Methodist Church in McDonough. Guild President Kayla Peterson said the group highlighted members who sew for organizations including Quilts of Valor – honoring military veterans – and Southern Grace Hospice.

Peterson said members enjoy learning ways to hone their craft.

“We share techniques, and we hold classes,” said Peterson. “We do quilts of different sizes, pillowcases and Christmas stockings.”

Meddy Mills of McDonough joined Busy Needles in 2018 and is the guild’s treasurer. Mills said membership has helped to educate participants about local nonprofit groups.

“We learned so much about the history, why these groups were started, all the people they help and why they’re helping,” said Mills.

The guild, for several years, has made stockings to donate to Haven House and A Friend’s House. Mills said providing quilts, blankets, and other items for those who need them is a worthwhile endeavor.

“It just brings such joy to realize that once you’re finished with it, somebody’s going to be able to wrap up with it and be warm,” said Mills. “Seniors will be able to have Christmas stockings filled with goodies, and hospitalized children will get fun pillowcases to make their hospital stays a little brighter.”

The group holds workshops periodically to help participants improve their abilities. Mills said the guild welcomes quilters, regardless of their proficiency.

“You don’t have to be a great sewer or quilter to be a member of the guild,” said Mills. “You just have to have the heart.”
Mills said the guild will host a “sew-in,” in April, to do community projects. She said the guild has also scheduled a workshop in May on memory pillows, and a lecture in June on long-arm quilting.

Denise Varnado is the chapter coordinator for Project Linus in Henry, Lamar, Upson, Pike, Fayette and Butts counties. Since its launch in 2002, the chapter has delivered more than 33,000 blankets to kids in need.

Varnado expressed her gratitude for Busy Needles’ continued support.

“It’s just amazing what they do,” said Varnado. “That helps us out so much when they provide blankets that allow us to serve the children in our community.”

Ryan’s Case for Smiles is geared toward helping children cope with illnesses and injuries. Barbara Means is the Georgia coordinator at Ryan’s Case for Smiles, which provides pillowcases for pediatric units for 10 hospitals in the state.

Means said Busy Needles, in 2021, donated 140 pillowcases for Ryan’s Case.

“It’s a very generous donation,” said Means. “I’m happy to have partnered with them. The kids love them, and the parents love them. A pillowcase seems very simple, but it provides a lot of emotional support and comfort for the children. The children really react very positively to the pillowcases.”

Sarah Embro is the executive director of the ALS Association’s Georgia chapter. She said the association has received quilts in recent years from Busy Needles and similar groups in the state.

Such donations, she said, are particularly useful when a person with ALS becomes immobile or uses a power wheelchair.
“Quilts have a new meaning because you use them more frequently,” said Embro. “They are not only a source of warmth but also comfort. Patients [who receive them] are appreciative and surprised that a group of people, who don’t know them, are supporting them.”

For more information, e-mail busyneedlesquiltguildga@gmail.com.