By Steve Steiner

Managing editor

ssteiner@elkintribune.com

It all began about five years ago, according to the ladies.

That was the start of the Mission Heart & Hands of First Baptist Church, a group of women who design and make quilts — most which they donate to organizations such as The Ark, Tri-County Christian Crisis Ministry, Grace Clinic and, of course, their church.

However, not all the quilts are donated. Some are sold.

“We’ve given away lots of quilts,” said Lois Elledge.

“Everything we raise goes to missions,” said Madelon Blackburn.

The missions to which she refers are those sponsored by or participated in by members of First Baptist Church.

The group’s name reflects its philosophy.

“We believe if our hearts are in the right place, our hands will follow,” said Velma Darnell.

Those hands have been busy. The consensus of opinion was, more than 100 quilts have been made in all those years.

After being together the past five years, the women completed one another’s sentences, avidly, as they told how the group was formed.

“It was on a convention —” said Rheo Mastin.

“On our way back — “ said Barbara Myers.

In addition for coming up with patterns and designs for the quilts, the women constantly seek new ideas and projects, and many ideas get raised during formal and informal brainstorming sessions. Their latest — and perhaps, largest — project expanded beyond the quilters themselves.

In 2007, they had the idea of doing a church quilt. By that, any family who attended First Baptist, could participate by taking a white square and designing a family “logo.”

“We felt the diversity of our church would be reflected in the diversity of the squares,” said Myers.

While the idea hit a responsive note with the women themselves, they had no idea how the rest of the church family would respond.

“The concern was there wouldn’t be enough people participating to make one quilt,” said Helen Anderson.

Their fears were unfounded, By the time the project was declared completed, there were enough squares made — 133 in all — for three quilts.

Two weeks ago, the three quilts — which were placed in cases specifically made for each quilt, were erected onto a wall near the sanctuary.

“The brother of deacon Rick Tilley, Larry Tilley, who owns Custom Cabinet Shop, built the frames,” said Myers. “He was assisted by Leo Darnell (Velma Darnell’s husband).”

While the women meet and construct weekly, one of their members is now house-bound. However, that member, Anna Laura Burcham, still participates. When a quilt is almost entirely complete, it is brought to Burcham, who puts the final touches on by hemming and binding.

The display of the three framed quilts is powerful and compelling, and it is not unique that people who view it, linger over it. That includes the women of the Mission Heart and Hands.

“I just can’t get enough of looking at them,” said Myers.

Want to donate?

While the women donate most of the quilts they make, and sell some, of which they take the proceeds and donate for church mission projects, they also raise money at the annual pumpkin festival. Those proceeds go towards the purchase of materials and supplies to make quilts.

They also welcome donations of either funds or fabric that is good for quilting. That excludes upholstery fabric.