Crazy Quilters: Many hands working together for the good of the community

by Mary Jo David

If you believe the old saying that idle hands are the devil’s workshop, you won’t need to worry about the members of the Crazy Quilters. Since the group formed in 2004 with seven charter members at the local Stockbridge United Methodist Church, they have been busy measuring, cutting, ironing, piecing, sewing, and tying. The result: numerous lap quilts and bed quilts—too many to count—have been donated to patients in hospice care and soon to some local nursing homes.

According to Marge Perkins who was instrumental in forming the group and keeping it running, “We initially started out because a few of us at church were interested in coming together just for something to do during the week. Some of the members didn’t even sew, but they could press!”

Since then, the group has met weekly and grown steadily; currently they have 23 members. Many hail from local communities like Munith, Stockbridge, and Gregory, but members have also come from farther away, like Howell, Chelsea, Lansing, and DeWitt. Over the years, some who are more advanced in their quilting skills have helped to teach novices.

This year the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the group’s ability to get together. Yet, Perkins still manages to coordinate with group members via phone and a few safe, socially distanced gatherings to continue fashioning lap quilts and, twice a year, adult bib donations.

Despite pandemic restrictions, the Crazy Quilters recently managed to coordinate efforts to provide more than 50 quilts, soon to be donated to three local senior homes—Sacred Heart Adult Care in Gregory and Elder Ridge Manor and Walnut Ridge Country Estates in Stockbridge.

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that this community has a huge heart when it comes to helping others in need,” Perkins said.

While church membership has not been a requirement, many of the members do belong to Stockbridge United Methodist Church, which has been generous in providing a meeting room for the Crazy Quilters and some much-needed storage for their supplies. The quilters purchase fabric and other supplies themselves, or they select from a stash of donated and leftover fabric available to the group’s members.

During the 16 years of the group’s existence, some members have come and gone and, sadly, some have passed away. But the Crazy Quilters continue as a vibrant representation of the impact a group of caring crafters can have in a community.

For information on joining the group or donating supplies, contact Marge Perkins at 517-596-2764.

One of many quilts produced by members of the Crazy Quilters group is being tied off, in preparation for donating to a local senior home. Photo credit: Mary Jo David

The Crazy Quilters have created numerous lap quilts and bed quilts for donating to patients in hospice care and, soon, some local nursing homes. Photo credit: Mary Jo David

The Crazy Quilters group was founded in 2004 and has met weekly on Tuesdays from September through May at the Stockbridge United Methodist Church. (Meeting have been temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) Photo credit: Mary Jo David