- February 22, 2025
Pieces of fabric in myriad colors and designs were scattered across the table in a meeting room at the Ormond Beach Library on Feb. 11. But they were on their way to becoming something much more.
Members of Racing Fingers Quilt Guild were busy making “fidget quilts” to be donated to hospitals and hospices for patients.
“It gives them something to do,” said Sally McCarroll, president of the guild.
The 20-by-20 inch quilts have zippers, buttons, pockets, Velcro, flaps, elastic and everything imaginable to keep hands busy, and they are especially useful for Alzheimer’s patients, who sometimes disconnect IVs or monitors.
In addition to making fidget quilts, they were getting ready for upcoming American Quilter's Society QuiltWeek event, set for Feb. 25-27 at Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, where they will serve as volunteers. One of their functions will be to check items that people purchase during the show.
Apparently, shopping for fabric and sewing equipment is a big part of the hobby. Guild Member Liz Hall recalled at one show that a woman pulled around a wheeled garbage can to keep purchased items.
“My stove followed me out the door, saying, ‘help me.”
Marianne Pitts, on how much time she spends on her quilting hobby
The members are looking forward to seeing the high quality of quilts at the show.
“I’ve never been to a show of this magnitude,” said Susan Sauro, adding that a friend was coming from Scotland to attend the show.
Many of the quilts on display will be works of art, including scenery, animals or even abstract designs.
“It’s fascinating,” Sauro said. “The creativity is unlimited.”
Jean Roth agreed, saying, “They have quilts that will knock your socks off.”
The Racing Fingers guild normally meets monthly at Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church, but also occasionally at the library.
While cloth is often purchased to make the quilts, used clothing or other items are sometimes used.
Hall pointed to some of the pieces and the table and said, “This is our life revisited,” indicating many had been clothes or other used items.
Another guild member recalled explaining to her grandson, who couldn’t get to sleep, the parts of his quilt. One piece was from his mother’s dress, another from a shirt, etc.
Asked how much time they put into quilting, a couple of the quilters smiled and gave each other knowing looks.
“My stove followed me out the door, saying, ‘help me,’” laughed Marianne Pitts. “Once you get started …”
The members say their guild is bringing in young members, and they meet in the evening so working people can take part.
More than 15,000 people are expected at the event, according to a press release, and more than $50,000 in prizes will be awarded for quilting excellence. There will also be workshops with “some of the top talent in the quilt industry.”
One of the vendors selling supplies will be Byrd’s Nest Quilt Shop, 156 E. Granada Blvd. Shop owner Kathy Byrd is looking forward to the show.
“It’s put on by the same people that put on the show in Paducah (Kentucky) and that’s the Mecca of quilting,” she said.
Byrd’s Nest shops offers classes at their shop and also invites sewers to help create quilts once a month that are donated to hospices.
Visit quiltweek.com, racingfingersquiltguild.com, byrdsnestquiltshop.com or find them on Facebook.
