NORWICH – In recognition of National Quilting Day, the Chenango Piecemakers Quilt Guild celebrated by presenting a special quilt to the first baby born that day at Chenango Memorial Hospital. This year, their quilt was presented to Manuel Angeles-Guiles, son of Kimberly Guiles and Baltazar Angeles of Sherburne. Manuel was born on March 23, two days after National Quilting Day, and weighed in at 10 pounds, 11 ounces. Nancy Carney and Mary Rose, representatives of the guild, extended the group’s warm wishes as they presented this colorful quilt, which was made especially for the National Quilting Day baby. Each year’s quilt has a special theme and name. This year, the quilt is “Fun in the Sun.”
A small group of women who enjoy quilting began the guild in 1986. It now claims a membership of approximately 100. The Piecemakers have a very strong sense of community and use their love of quilting to not only promote the art, but also as a commitment to serve through projects such as this. They are among the generous community members who make and donate quilts to many newborns born at Chenango Memorial. In fact, recently they donated over twenty additional quilts to the hospital.
The tradition of the “First Baby” quilt began several years ago as a special way to observe National Quilting Day by involving the community.
The entire guild often participates in the project. A special label is affixed to the back of the quilt with a notation regarding the celebration of National Quilting Day.
The Chenango Piecemakers meet the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the United Church of Christ, 11 West Main Street in Norwich. Anyone interested in joining the guild or in learning more about what they do is welcome.