Linda Bailey developed a love of fabric from her mother and grandmother who were avid seamstresses. “I remember being 3 and using the ‘big scissors’ to cut cloth, and at 8, I was on the sewing machine.”
But 13 years ago when Bailey retired from a career in marketing and executive search, she discovered quilting. She’s now the incoming president of the East Cobb Quilters’ Guild, an organization founded in 1982 and known for its quilt shows at the Cobb Civic Center. It’s also the largest quilting guild in the state.
“I have a group of 250 to 300 friends who are as different as they can be, and yet we have this passion in common,” said Bailey.
That passion comes with a significant community service component. During October, members step up their contributions and make quilted blankets, placemats and pillowcases for Children and Family Services offices around the metro area, Meals on Wheels, Ryan’s Case for Smiles, the March of Dimes, military families and children with long-term illnesses. Donations have also gone to the Center for the Visually Impaired, Habitat for Humanity and the Ronald McDonald House.
“We’ve even been asked to do ‘fidget quilts’ for people in memory care,” said Bailey. “It gives them something to hold onto. We have a member who gives quilts to the police for them to keep in their trunks and give out. They provide comfort and care; you surround someone with love when you give a quilt.”
But don’t envision something your granny made, said Bailey.
“These are not your grandmother’s quilts; they’re fiber art,” she said. “We find ways to use color and texture. And we’ve recently accepted machine quilting as part of the art.”
The group usually meets at the Catholic Church of St. Ann in Marietta on the fourth Fridays, when they might hear a guest speaker, share inspirational stories and sewing tips. Members come from across the metro area, and men are included.
Even as COVID moved many meetings online, the membership has remained steady.
“I think people had time to sew and quilt,” said Bailey. “Many new members started making masks and realized how good and fun it is.”
Bailey believes COVID has also helped the guild produce more items than ever.
“Our goal is usually 300 quilts, 300 placemats and 300 pillowcases,” she said. “But by the end of this year, we expect to have exceeded those numbers by far. We’re already up 116 extra placements, and when we finish quilts the year, numbers will be much higher.”
Information about the guild is online at ecqg.com.
Who’s doing good? Each week, we write about a deserving individual, charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event or person for us to cover, contact us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
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