Carlila Hughes and other members of Cheney Frayed Edges at the Cheney Care Center, delivering quilts to residents.
CHENEY – For Cheney Frayed Edges, quilting is about more than sewing – it's about community and care. The group's quilts, often described as "scrappy" due to their mix of fabrics, have brought warmth and joy to residents in local care centers.
"We make different patterns for men and women," said Carlila Hughes, president of Cheney Frayed Edges. "Last time, we delivered 17 quilts. Next, we'll see who still needs one."
Hughes added that the quilts bring joy to residents. "It's heartwarming to know how much they value them," she said.
The group's work has been supported by donations, including a significant contribution from Lorraine McMillan, who passed away in December 2023. Her daughter, Carol MacQuarrie, a founding member of Cheney Frayed Edges, ensured her mother's fabric collection was put to good use.
"My mom wasn't a quilter but loved fabric," MacQuarrie explained. "She sewed clothes and collected materials. After her passing, my sister and I wanted her fabric to go to a meaningful cause. Cheney Frayed Edges made that possible."
MacQuarrie also reflected on the personal and communal impact of quilting. "Quilts provide comfort, especially for older folks in nursing homes," she said. "There's something special about a quilt made by local women."
Beyond their quilting for care centers, Cheney Frayed Edges actively participates in community events like Mayfest, creating decorative pieces for local businesses and landmarks.
"Quilting is a craft that spans generations," MacQuarrie said. "My grandma quilted, my mom sewed clothes, and I've completed over 5,000 quilts. At 77, I'm still at it."
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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