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CANFIELD -- Most of the 60 members of That Quilt Group I Belong To gathered earlier this week at the Fair Park indoor pavilion to host its regular monthly meeting that included a glimpse of ribbon-winning quilts from this year's 180th Canfield Fair.
The group also reviewed some of its service projects with area charities.
According to TQGIBT member in charge of communications, Jeanne Neville, the group has humble beginnings dating back to 1976.
"Sue Bell was instrumental in starting the group," Neville said. "She would invite people into her home (to share the quilting hobby)."
In 1977, the group became official, and today it has grown and meets in pavilions and church centers to share projects, the quilting hobby and to take part in one of its many service projects. Among them are making Christmas stockings to go to Comfort and Hope, a nonprofit that fills the stockings for Sojourner House, a domestic violence shelter in Youngstown. Smaller quilts are made for Beatitude House, a local shelter for homeless and poor women and children, to use for cuddling.
The group also sews pillow cases to serve as personal bags for children at Akron Children's Mahoning Valley. The children, who often come to the hospital with nothing of their own, use the bags to carry their clothing, supplies and gifts home from their hospital stay. TQGIBT will deliver 210 pillow cases later this month.
The group hosts a quilt raffle with proceeds going to Silver Linings, an organization that supports seniors and disabled individuals.
"This year's quilt is a tribute to Dolly (Parton) and her 'Coat of Many Colors,'" said TQGIBT President Carolyn Artle.
Members also provide quilts for veterans at Hospice House in Poland.
While the group does a lot for charity, it also does a lot for the hobby of quilting. Each month, the group has a project members can purchase and work on at their own pace. There is also the camaraderie of fellow quilters, who can share techniques and ideas with one another.
"We have all manner of quilters," Neville said. "Some still quilt by hand, some use a machine and a few have the very large quilting machines."
The quilts can range from full-size bed quilts to smaller lap quilts to wall hangings. All types can be entries at the Canfield Fair.
At the recent meeting, members got the chance to show their fair entries and in some cases, those that won awards. One big winner was Mida Delaney of Austintown.
"I usually do two quilts for the Columbiana County Fair and do charity quilts each year," she said. "I started quilting 35 years ago when I lived in California. I joined TQGIBT when I moved to Ohio."
Delaney also earned a "special recognition award" this year for her quilt. The award is a carved wooden disc -- one of only four available for the arts and crafts building.
Another quilter showcased her embroidery work on a wall hanging that won Best of Show at the fair. Bonnie Naman of Canfield displayed her work and ribbon at the meeting, along with her red Christmas Tree piece that took first place.
Sandy Ellis of Youngstown displayed an America-themed quilt for which she earned second place. Sheila Factor of North Jackson showed her "birds of all seasons" small quilt that earned her third place.
For information on joining the TQGIBT, call 330-507-4672.