Quilts have been a part of the ladies group from Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda for the past 30 years. It started with more members but is now down to four women who quilt and one who cuts and sews. They meet at the Peace Parish Hall.
“We mostly make lap robes,” Ann Lang said.
Lang, Pat Reinert, Florence Giessel and Florence Trinko, church members who all live in the Tilleda area, do the final quilting.
Irene Wohler cuts and sews the tops. She doesn’t drive and can’t get to the meetings, so she works at her apartment in Shawano.
Wohler takes the finished tops to church on Sunday when she gets a ride to services. She has been quilting for around 50 years.
“I like to sew,” Wohler said.
The women all have been quilting for many years. Most of the women were taught by their mothers.
Trinko said quilting fills her time and gives her satisfaction, too.
“It’s nice to make something for someone to enjoy,” she said.
Twice a month from October through April, the women turn out the lap quilts with precision, making as many as seven in a day.
“We’re experienced,” Lang said.
The lap quilts are 44-by-44 inches and are given to Birch Hill, Evergreen and Homme Home. The ladies make bigger ones for Safe Haven. They also make quilts to sell.
“We take orders,” Lang said.
Queen size quilts are $50, with the customer supplying all the materials. Smaller ones would be less expensive.
They make queen-size quilts for church members who are getting married. The women find out what color is preferred and then shop for material either at a fabric store or department store that still carries it. For a wedding in June, they are looking for purple material.
“There’s nothing better than a comfy quilt on a cold winter day,” Lang said.
People bring material and yarn for the women to use.
“We’re always happy to accept donations,” Lang said.
During the church’s soup dinner, the women display the quilts for sale on benches.
“Then we buy more backing and filler,” Lang said.
The women make 30 to 40 quilts each winter. They not only help other people with their crafting, they enjoy getting together from 8:30-11:45 a.m. Mondays and Fridays at the parish center.
“We have a good time,” Lang said.
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