Helping hands

College students get quilt experience

By Jaine Treadwell (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Monday, July 13, 2009

When Jewell Dickson was looking for a hands-on quilting bee for her occupational therapy students at Alabama State University, she was directed just down the pike – to Pike County and the Colley Senior Complex in Troy.

That was three years ago.

On Monday, her 2009 class was seated around the quilting frame at the Complex with needles and thread – and a thimble.

“No, it’s not a thumble. It doesn’t go on your thumb.”

The five college co-eds got a lesson in the art of quilting making and also personal glimpses into the past.

“At quilting bees, children would often play under the frame,” said Jewel Griffin, a member of the Colley Quilters Guild. “Sometimes the ladies would forget we were under there, and that’s when we could really learn something.”

The visitors to the Quilters Guild Monday learned about piecing a quilt top. They learned about the backing for the quilt and they tried their hands at quilting.

“Quilting is an outstanding activity for occupational therapy students,” Dickson said. “Quilting is a different expressive media and has therapeutic value. Physically, it helps with fine motor skills and with upper body strength. And, it’s also a social activity. It’s relaxing and brings people together in a common purpose.”

Dickson said that, by visiting with members of the Quilters Guild, the occupational therapy students gain a better appreciation of the age-old art and realize that it’s possible to be active and engaging no matter the age.

“This is the first time that these students have had an opportunity to quilt but my hope is that they will understand that quilting is an activity that will be physically and socially advantageous to those who have suffered debilitating injuries, development delays and in a variety of clinic settings, including hospitals, nursing and restricted living homes.”

The students said they quickly acquired an appreciation of the art and those who are skilled in the craft.

“It works your mind,” said Yen Nguyen. “You really have to concentrate but once you get the hang of it, then you can do it.”

Anna Dorsey, like most the others, was having a difficult time making small stitches.

“It’s hard to make small stitches, and it’s even harder to keep them about the same length,” she said.

“For me, that’s the hardest part.”

Allison Jones was more philosophical in her approach to the rigors of quilting.

“It’s hard to get the thread in the eye of the needle,” she said, with a squint and a smile.

But, after being made aware of the many hours that are involved in piecing and quilting a cover for the bed, the ASU students all agreed that, when the quilting notion strikes them, they will start with a pillow cover.

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