Local Sewers Stitch Comforting Lap Quilts for Patients at Perth and Smiths Falls Hospitals
Well over 20 years ago, a group of dedicated sewers gathered in the Portland area to make quilts and pillowcases for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
Lynne Evans, one of the founding members of the original group along with Joan Kelly, says, “The job of organizing everything became too big for just one person,” and somewhere along the line, the group grew large enough to justify splitting into two groups under one umbrella.
The Cases of Caring Group, reported on earlier this month, was formed to focus on pillowcases, while the Rideau Sewers Lap Quilt group made up the other group, creatively stitching lap quilts for patients at Perth and Smiths Falls Hospitals. The group says community residents often use these hospitals.
Many members, like Cathy Mulville, belong to both groups and meet once a month on different days at Portland United Church. Members come from Elgin, Perth, Rideau Ferry, Portland, Westport, Lyndhurst, Smiths Falls and South Elmsley.
On the second Wednesday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., a group of anywhere from six to 10 sewers shows up at the church to help make a difference by doing their part to ensure that palliative care patients across the region are comforted with a specially made lap quilt. Group facilitator Jane Pickard says she has been part of the Rideau Sewers Lap Quilt group for approximately 15 years, noting that pre-COVID, there were more members, with up to 15 attending meetings. Sadly, like many organizations, the number of volunteers has not fully returned.
When asked how long it takes the talented sewers to complete a 50” x 50” lap quilt, the group was unable to answer, since quilt design can range from a simple pattern to a very complex one, and, of course, each member’s skill level varies. Many agreed that sewing can be the easier task when considering all the other steps required to bring a quilt to its final stage. The members in attendance at the March meeting listed the steps needed, including selecting the materials, the design, cutting, planning, placing … and finally sewing and sewing some more.
Surprisingly, one quilt on a nearby table, ready for delivery, had a total of 240 pieces of just white backing and another 240 pieces of patterned material, which took roughly 12–15 hours to piece and pin together.
There is no question that the members of the group put their heart and soul into creating these heartfelt creations for others. Each quilt is finished with a lovely label reading, “Made especially for you by the Rideau Sewing Group,” created by Marilyn Lockyer (coordinator of Quilts of Valour), who, along with Donna Greene, also puts lap quilt kits together for the group. Jane says, “Over the years, both Marilyn and Donna have been active participants of the group, and while they aren’t able to make many meetings, we are very grateful for their help.”
Portland resident Marianne Kenney is one of the more recent members to join the group, saying she joined last year after retiring from Rideau District High School. Marianne said she had a strong interest in learning to quilt and knew she wanted to do something that gives back to the community in her retirement, and this group seemed like the perfect fit.
Pat Watson recalled seeing a photo of a patient with one of the quilts she made, which hit home for her. The group has also received moving thank-you notes from community members who have received the comforting quilts. Jane notes that, in addition to donating to palliative care patients at Perth and Smiths Falls Hospitals, the group also donates to area residents when they receive a request. Those on kidney dialysis and those battling cancer have also been gifted lap quilts in the hopes of providing some comfort in their challenging time.
Jane makes all deliveries to the hospitals, using the group’s beautifully crafted bags and being mindful of being as environmentally friendly as possible.
Jan Haskin, a regular member of the group, is grateful for the hobby, which has a positive impact on others. The group is quick to welcome others to join in, saying they have many tasks other than sewing if someone is interested in helping but doesn’t know how to sew or doesn’t like to sew.
Donations of 100 per cent cotton material are also welcome, as are monetary donations, because “fabric is expensive,” says Jane.
The group is grateful for the generosity of the church in providing them with a space to meet rent-free, including storage, insurance and heat in the colder months. Other organizations, such as the Lions Club, the Legion, and the Retired Teacher Association, have been supportive with donations, as has an anonymous gentleman who made a large contribution to assist the group’s efforts.
Jane says the group was able to donate eight completed lap quilts in January, six more in February, and more are already scheduled for a March delivery.
To join the Rideau Sewers Lap Quilt Group or to find out how you can help, contact Jane Pickard at Jpick@kingston.net. The group reports that the social connections made among members are an added bonus of being part of the group and devoting time to something so special.