Swatches of fabric in all kinds of colors, patterns and textures covered the tables inside Purdue Extension Johnson County’s workroom.

Around the pieces of cloth, dozens of members of the Nimble Thimbles Quilt Club had come to catch up, socialize and, most importantly, sew. Much had to be done in advance of their every-other-year quilt show, and the members were ready to work.

From stitching tags into reading bags for children to finishing quilts to give to veterans and area seniors, the club remains active employing their skills for others.

“If you can sew it, we’ve probably made it at someone’s request,” said Linda Mullis, a member of the Nimble Thimbles.

The Nimble Thimbles will host their quilt show Sept. 17 and 18 at Scott Hall at the Johnson County fairgrounds. Over the course of two days, attendees can browse a variety of different quilts on display, and interact with vendors selling all kinds of products related to the fabric arts.

Mini demonstrations will show off specific skills, and nationally known fiber artist and quilter Catherine Redford will share her secrets of the trade during a special presentation.

“We want to showcase our talents, and what we do with the community,” said Donna McElwain, a club member. “Then we can educate people on new techniques of sewing and quilting.”

The Nimble Thimble group has been sewing and quilting for good causes for more than 30 years. The club was founded in Johnson County in 1989, as a part of the county’s extension homemakers program.

The goal was not only to preserve and advance the fabric arts, but to use their skills to help the community as well.

Every year, members sew and sell items at the annual Jim Rhoades Memorial Hog Roast, with their proceeds being split between the Good Cheer Fund and the Interchurch Food Pantry.

They make bags for the First Steps reading program, so children taking part have something to carry their books in. Their quilts have been given to local hospice patients, have been provided as lap quilts for veterans on the Indy Honor Flights, given as blankets for babies in intensive care and made pillowcases for foster children to carry their belongings.

Annie Leser joined the club in 2008, following her love of quilting to get involved with a talented group of women. Over the years, she has used her passion for quilting to provide comfort for countless people through the club’s activities, something that she takes great pride in.

“We do so many charity activities, and the outreach is just wonderful. We’ve reached so many people with those many gifts,” she said. “It touches your heart.”

The Nimble Thimbles group gathers on the first Friday of each month for meetings, lessons, speakers and show-and-tell. They share old patterns and materials they don’t want anymore, then take home assignments to finish on their own.

Mullis became part of the club about 10 years ago, after retiring. For her, the group was an opportunity to explore her love of sewing while doing something positive for the community.

“I’ve always loved to sew, and wanted to get more into quilting,” she said. “It’s an active group. We do a lot of things around the community.”

The quilt show allows members to show off what they do, educate people about sewing and quilting and gather for a fun weekend, at the same time. Scott Hall will be buzzing throughout the course of the show with lessons, vendors and quilting displays.

One exciting feature is set to be the presentation by Redford, an Illinois-based fiber artists and teacher who has appeared on Quilting Arts TV and is a regular contributor to Modern Patchwork magazine.

In addition, the quilt show helps raise money for the club, which goes back into its charity activities. That includes raffling quilts that club members make each year. The raffle is held in October, and tickets will be sold at the quilt show on Friday and Saturday.

“That is money that goes into a special fund for the schools that have programs that involve sewing,” Mullis said. “Those programs aren’t as prevalent as they used to be.”

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Nimble Thimbles Quilt Club 2021 Quilt Show

What: A celebration of quilting and fabric arts featuring quilts on display, vendors, demonstrations and other activities.

When: 4 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 18

Where: Scott Hall, Johnson County fairgrounds, 250 Fairground St., Franklin

What will be featured:

  • A variety of quilts on display
  • A presentation by Catherine Redford, a fabric artist, teacher and speaker, at 7 p.m. Sept. 17
  • Vendors
  • Mini-demonstrations on Sept. 18
  • Raffle tickets for sale
  • Sharpening for scissors and other items by Jim Stohr, $5 each item

Tickets: Weekend pass, $10 in advance, $12 at the door; day pass, $5 at the door. Children 12 and under free. For advance sale tickets, contact Kathy at 317-442-6863 or Elaine at 317-549-5320.

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