Local crafters meet in Owego for ‘modern-day quilting bee’

Owego resident, Rose Cornelius, often totes her sewing machine to a Friday morning quilting session at Owego’s Countryside Community Center, while Phyllis Mathews of Barton and Candy Maffe of Candor carry in and set up their favorite sewing paraphernalia at worktables provided by the center. A modern-day quilting bee, so-to-speak, a major aspect of its appeal is getting together to socialize and enjoy the creative art of quilting with others.

The quilting group, which usually draws a few more crafters throughout the year, draws in a few during the busy summer months. The group welcomes new crafters anytime to join them on Friday’s from 9 a.m. to noon at the 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd. location.

You won’t necessarily find the Owego crafters hovering around a quilting frame as was tradition in the mid-nineteenth century when quilting bees were considered a premier social event in the growing United States, but instead spread out their fabric pieces and projects on long tables and diligently work away, while still conversing about each other’s projects and news of the day.

“Coming to the community center is a good way to get out and meet people,” commented Maffe, who joined the group about a year ago.

The small group feeds off of each other’s creativity and shares feedback and asks questions amongst themselves, and after working together for some time now, have identified each other’s strengths.

For instance, Maffe said, “We look to Rose to help us with color choices; she really has an eye for that.”

Cornelius, who is also a member of the Hiawatha Quilters, enjoys the camaraderie the group at the center brings to the sewing table. All three ladies agreed that the available space at the center, as well as basic materials supplied, is an advantage, which makes the trip to Owego more appealing. In addition, working side-by-side with others who share a love for quilting inspires them to keep personal goals of finishing their projects, especially the projects that have been stored away for a while.

From creating patterns using prairie points, a three dimensional embellishment that accents quilts, to cathedral squares which utilize scrap fabric, to plenty of hand-stitching as well as sewing machine work, including free motion stitching, as well as adding embroidery and other unique handiwork, nearly every creative idea is used for their final quilt projects.

Mathews has made several handkerchief quilts, which all have personal treasures attached to them, mostly items collected by her daughter. A kite pin from 1973, an airplane that brings back a fond memory about a special trip, buttons, jewelry and flowers, among other intricate pieces, encompass what should be considered more a family heirloom as it is a quilt.

With scraps used from everywhere and using donated materials, Mathews said it best,
“Almost anything goes,” when it comes to quilt making.

While a majority of the quilts are given as gifts or to family members, such as Mathew’s extraordinary creation of a quilt theme made from her daughter’s wedding, a few have been donated. Many projects the group keeps themselves, namely table runners, wall hangings, or the like. Several of the quilters are also members of other groups at the center, such as the knitting and crocheting group.

For more information about social activities at the Countryside Community Center or becoming involved with a craft group, call (607) 687-4120.