What We Do
In addition to guild meetings and workshops, Bayberry offers many outreach programs to share our love of quilting. These include:
- Quilt-in sessions allow experienced members to share skills and all members to enjoy sewing and socializing.
- Retreats are planned for members to spend time relaxing and working on projects.
- Trips may be planned to visit places of interest to members, including quilt and fabric shops and museum exhibits.
See your Member Handbook for contact information for coordinators for these projects.
Quilt Bank
The Quilt Bank meets every Monday (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center to make quilts for disaster victims, seriously ill children and anyone in need. Hundreds of quilts are made each year and donated to various charities, hospitals, and shelters.
Members are invited to drop in to make quilts for those in need. All materials and machines are provided.
Please click Quilt Bank Acquisition Form and print to record information for Quilt Bank tracking of donations.
What becomes of fabric that is donated to the Quilt Bank? Click to read about it: Donated fabric
Please contact Maryanne Boberg or Karen Pistorino, Quilt Bank Co-Chairs, with any questions.
Quilt-Ins
Join quilting friends at a Saturday “Quilt-In” to learn new techniques, help make items to be sold at the Quilt Show Boutique, or get help on a difficult project.
Quilt-Ins are held most months on the second Saturday at 9:30 am at the West Barnstable Community Building and also on Zoom when possible so that members at home can join in .
Patterns and kits are provided for members to make boutique items and/or they can work on their own projects. Table risers elevate tables to a comfortable position for pinning or basting your quilts. Coffee, tea and snacks are available; bring your lunch or order from a local restaurant.
Please contact Diane McGuire with any questions.
Retreats
Retreats are planned for members to get away from everyday life and work on sewing and quilting projects. Retreats are held at various times during the year in local inns and hotels.
Our recent Winter Retreat held in January 2023 was a welcome opportunity to get together, sew and have fun.
Scholarships / Bayberry Raffle Quilt
An exceptional quilt is made each year in conjunction with the annual Quilt Show and raffle tickets are sold for a chance to win this quilt.
Proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets support the Bayberry Scholarship and Toolship programs. Scholarships support continuing education and toolships are awarded to students in vocational programs to provide funds to purchase tools they will need as they enter the workforce of their choice.
Our 2023 Raffle Quilt “Simply Red” is a mix of applique and pieced blocks made by members Ellie Held, Angela Kravchuk, Carol Salerno, Marilyn Swenson, and Jane Wilson and was quilted by Charlotte Toia. The 62″ x 62″ quilt is made from an original design by Sharon Keightley of New Zealand.
Trips
Coach bus trips are planned when possible to museums, quilt shows, quilt shops and special quilting events. Member suggestions for trip destinations are welcome — please share suggestions with Member Reps or any Board member.
Member Projects
Please contact the member coordinating each project (see Member Handbook for email or phone contact information)
Sew for Kids
Quilt blocks donated by members are used to make quilts for children. Blocks are sewn together at the Sew for Kids activity at the Quilt Show and during the year.
Fabric sacks for Katelyn’s Closet
There is a great need for fabric sacks which are filled with clothing or gift cards by Katelyn’s Closet for children whose lives are in turmoil.
The design is simple:
Lay one yard of fabric down with long side at upper edge, right side down; selvages will be on the sides. Fold over 1/4 inch fabric and iron. Fold over again, this time approximately 1 and 1/4 inch. Putting right sides together with selvages touching, sew the side and bottom seams. Turn sack right side out and insert cording or rope into the fabric casing created at the top.
To participate in the project, please make sacks and bring them to monthly meetings, Quilt-Ins or directly to Katelyn’s Closet located at 33 North Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA.
Preemie Quilts
Preemie quilts are donated to the Tufts New England Medical Center Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit in Boston.
Quilts can be 16, 18, or 21″ square, or similar rectangle shapes, with a thin batting or just a flannel backing. They can be quilted or tied, and can have secure embellishments. The quilts go home with the babies.
Crib/warmers are made from 2 pieces of fabric, one a juvenile print and one being a navy, black or brown. Sew the fabric right sides together, turn and stitch around the edges. Size can range from 6″x12″ up to 17″x32″. These shield the baby’s head/face/body from the light.
Blankets sizes are 12″ to 36″ square or similar rectangle shape. A single piece of polar fleece, knit, flannel, or any soft fabric can be used. Edges can be serged, turned under, or any finish you desire and can be machine-appliqued. These blankets go home with the babies.
Incubator covers protect the babies from light and are really needed. They are made from 2 1/2 yards of fabric. If interested, contact Ellie for these instructions.
Ellie Held is coordinating preemie quilt donations.
Pillowcases
To participate in this project with Bayberry, please make “happy” pillowcases and bring them to monthly meetings. They will be collected, laundered, packaged and delivered to various children’s hospitals in Massachusetts.
Hot-dog pillowcase construction method: Hot-Dog Pillowcase Instructions