Think Quilting is for Grannies? Think Again

Gone are the days of grannies bent over thier sewing machines, quilting alone — bestowing bedspreads and wall coverings to every newborn and newlywed in the family.

The Forest City has its own crafting couple mavens — Jill and Butch Negrelli, who started Quilter's Haven of Middletown in 2002.

Jill, fondly known as "RumpelJillskin" by friends and colleagues, is considered the creative go-to person in the quilter community from her long years of work with sewing and ceramics as well as various other creative crafts.

Jill and Butch strive to provide a fun, idea-provoking environment where quilters, beginner and advanced, can come together to share tips, ask questions and enjoy the company of other quilters during the process of completing a project.

“It's a great sounding board — we bounce ideas off of each other,” explains Jill Negrelli.

This unique location educates the public on the quilting process by offering classes, workshops and retreats.

Open sews, held in the morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. are a great time to focus on a project and unwind from the day in a light-hearted, therapeutic environment.

The open sew Thursday night crew, Jill Negrelli, Linda Steele, Angie Falcon and Pat Marzin, describe Quilter's Haven as a friendly, tight-knit community offering a place of relaxation. “You've got to come here for your vitamin Q,” says Falcon.

Intermediate quilter Regine Carre started as beginner on Thursdays nights five years ago and has been attending every week since. “it becomes a bit obsessive,” Carre says, laughing. All smiled, agreeing that the group is more like a family.

Guests should bring their own sewing machines and should come equipped with their own materials. However, machines are available for borrowing. Open sew entry costs $6.

Classes are typically held on Saturday mornings and serve as a great time to learn a new technique or design. A book is typically required and a supply list is provided in advance.

The retreats are held twice a year, in the fall and spring, and offer a four-day weekend of pampering with beautiful scenery, tasty food and creative inspiration. For $200, a large group escapes to Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester with an on-site chef and a view of Cedar Lake.

To add a personal finishing touch to the quilt, Quilter's Haven's Gammill's long-arm machine, approximately 20-inchs in length, brings the quilt top, inside batting fabric and quilt backing together with intricate designs.

All sessions, classes and retreats require a basic, beginner's knowledge of sewing. However, the quilters are happy to help newcomers with tips and suggestions.

For information, call (860) 346-1773 or e-mail quiltershaven50@aol.com.