Quilt makers to share skills at open house

Mar 12, 2025

National Quilting Day is Saturday, March 15. To commemorate the day, members of the Hayes Ohio Star Quilt Guild have a month-long quilt display at Birchard Public Library and are hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 15 at the Sandusky Township House in Fremont, 2207 Oak Harbor Road.

The open house includes a mini quilt display, sewing and quilting demonstrations with refreshments.

"I would like to have people come to see what our quilt guild does for our community and we would love to see younger generations come together to bring new ideas," Guild President Liz LaCumsky said. A person does not have to have a sewing background to learn quilting.

A few guild members will bring their sewing machines to the open house while others may be doing hand demonstrations of sewing or quilting. It will be a day to showcase their many talents and educate visitors in the art of quilting.

Some members will be tying quilts which will be donated to local charities and hospitals through their "Kwiltz for Kids" project.

Tying is done by securing all three layers of the quilt (top, middle batting and backing) with strong thread or yarn then tying knots to keep layers together. This project has been in existence since 1991, with more than 6,000 child-sized quilts made and donated to charities in Sandusky County and beyond, said quilter Sue Smith. Approximately 300 tied quilts are made annually, including larger ones for adults in nursing homes or taking dialysis, she said.

Pat Brudzinski of Fremont is an accomplished quilter and blue-ribbon winner at the county fair. "I sew because it makes me feel good," she said.

Guild community projects include hosting a small quilt show at the Sandusky County Restorers of Antique Power held at White Star Park in Gibsonburg during Labor Day weekend; assisting with quilt judging at the Sandusky County Fair; and making an annual raffle quilt for a guild fundraiser. The 2025 quilt is entitled "Radiance" and is in shades of blue and cream.

For the past seven years, a "Thank you for your service" quilt has been made annually for a female veteran. The veteran is invited to speak to the guild, telling them about her service.

"Each (speaker) was interesting and educational," said Linda Gegorski, who aided in making the last three quilts. "We all learned something from each speaker."

As for the "Kwiltz for Kids" projects, most quilts are made at workshops during the first and third Monday of each month at the Sandusky Township House.

"It's our feel-good therapy time," Smith said. Some members bring their sewing machines, others cut fabric into squares or strips while a few others color coordinate fabrics for each quilt.

"We're picky about the colors we choose," Smith said. Fabric is donated or purchased with funds earmarked within the guild budget.

The guild was founded in 1989. Meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Sandusky Township House. Visitors and prospective members are invited to visit any meeting. Guest speakers are often on the program along with an occasional quilt challenge and the July picnic with quilt games.

Members are from around Sandusky County and beyond. Officers are: President Liz LaCumsky of Oak Harbor; Vice President Leah Coffey of Clyde; Treasurer Linda Gegorski of Fremont; and Secretary Jeanette Ricker of Clyde.

Jeanette Liebold Ricker writes about Clyde and Green Springs. Contact her at 419-547-8177 or by email at [email protected].