Quilters Club provides for two children's homes

The Clovis Quilters Club made more than 75 homemade quilts this year for children at The Baptist Children’s Home and the Christian Children’s Home, both in Portales.

“Some are so gorgeous I want to put them in my closet and not let them go,” joked club president Katie Greene. “They were all made with love for all these kids.”

The Baptist Children’s Home has been operating as a residential childcare facility since 1919, and offers care for dependent, neglected or abused children. The Christian Children’s Home also offers a safe home for children in need, and provides care to 70 to 80 children annually.

Greene said at the beginning of the year the club decided to make quilts for one children’s home, and the idea quickly snowballed into making enough for two children’s homes.

“We did them individually, we did them together; we worked our hands off,” Greene said.

“We would do it all over again,” said club quilter Mary Cruz. “I’m amazed that we made it. I thought we would never get them done.”

Greene said her living room is full of bags of quilts ready to be delivered to the homes this week. Each quilt was made with care in different sizes to suit different ages, and with designs as unique as the children who will receive them.

“I am so excited,” Cruz said. “I know one of the children that’s in there. I made one especially for him. I know he loves football … so the quilt looks like a football field.”

The average amount of time devoted to a quilt depends on the size and experience level of the quilter, but Greene said the quilts took anywhere from a few hours for a smaller one to a few days for the larger quilts.

“They are time consuming,” Greene said. At one point, “I was on a marathon, I sewed and did nothing besides that.”

Every year the club works on quilts to donate for the benefit of the community, including a large quilt for The Hartley House to raffle for donations.

“That’s what our club is for,” said Greene. “I think it’s wonderful … We are constantly talking about charitable things we can do.”

Cruz said the group will start offering a free quilting class in January, and residents to join regardless of sewing skill level.

“We learn things and teach each other,” Greene said. “I’ve been quilting since the 80s and I still learn something every time I sew. They are a wonderful group of ladies. We always encourage more people whether it’s something you’ve never done before or whether you are experienced and just want to chitchat with the ladies. It’s kind of my life.”