While it may be a simple group of women from one of the poorest areas in the state, the St. Croix International Quilters’ Guild is a force to be reckoned with. The 80 or so multigenerational members from the Washington County and New Brunswick regions are well on their way to raising thousands of dollars for the Ronald McDonald House of Bangor.
Sue McIver, Baileyville resident and president of the guild, said the quilters have created a “Gaelic Garden” style quilt that already has raised $3,000 worth of raffle tickets. Blues, reds and greens fill the intricate design of triangles and squares, creating a multicolored burst that stands out against the cream background.
The group has grown in the past few years, a sign McIver said follows a national movement of more young women quilting and reaching out to others. Members of the St. Croix guild range in age from 24 to 80 years old.
“Quilting is a multimillion-dollar business,” McIver said. “We’re to the point now where there seems to be a lot of women who are going back to doing things the way their grandparents used to.”
She also said it’s a way for women to connect with one another and share life and quilting experiences.
“Age makes no difference. No one looks at anyone as older or younger. Everybody is the same when you quilt,” McIver said.
Guild members regularly meet several times a month and make hundreds of quilts a year. Often one member will purchase materials for the top of the quilt, another will supply the back or the batting and guild dues will pay for the topstitching.
Because the group is international, with quilters from Maine and New Brunswick, wares created by its members are sent to hospitals and organizations in both countries, including Down East Community Hospital in Machias and Saint John Regional Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Ronald McDonald House quilt will be on display at the guild’s upcoming Around the Block quilt show at First Congregational Church in Calais from 1-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets for the show and raffle are $5, which will include tea and treats made by guild members. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sue McIver at 207-427-6967 or visit the website at stcroixquilters.com.
