The Stitch Witches of Casas Adobes Congregational United Church of Christ
The Stitch Witches, a small group of CACC members and friends of the church enthused about needlework, meet most every Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to noon in Rooms 5/6 of McNear Hall on the church campus.
Our focus is on quilting but all forms of needle arts are encouraged. Some people work on group projects, which are always in progress, and some bring their own needlework. Materials and equipment are provided for the group projects and skills can be learned on the job. Finished group-made quilts are typically donated to hospices or children's charities; banners and wall hangings to the church.
Our quilt ideas are largely inspired by the fabric we have on hand. We have had lots donated to us. We select those with the fabric content most suited to the quilts we make to give away and then simply mix and coordinate as we go. Fabric we don't used is donated elsewhere.
Caring and faith-filled friendship are the order of the day at every session. We have no rules, no dues, no officers, no attendance records, and no experience is necessary. We enjoy each other's company and the opportunity to share our skills. All are welcome.
50th Anniversary Quilted Banner
The initial inspiration for this sanctuary banner, which celebrates the church's 50th anniversary in 2008, came from Sally Kabat before her move to another state. (Sally had also convened our earliest meetings.) As do most of our projects, it grew and evolved as various members of the group worked on it. It was made to hang on the left side of the chancel.
The banner was sewn by hand, with the exception of the large flow of diamond-shaped pieces of fabric from the lower right to the upper left. They were stitched by machine. These multi-colored diamonds represent all of the people who have come through the doors and joined in the congregation of Casas Adobes Congregational Church, UCC over the years. The flow of diamonds --- the journey through the years --- ultimately focuses on the light-filled area at the center of the Twisted Cross. Quilted into the cream-colored background is a "50", musical notes, and an original design of a trinity symbol made up of three of the "God is Still Speaking" commas. The banner is outlined with a dark, double line that relates to the black iron UCC symbol at the right side of the chancel. Appliquéd on the double line are images of some of the tiles designed and created by church members for the walls of the Columbarium, representing the enveloping care of CACC-UCC.
Pentecost Banners
After the 50th anniversary quilted banner, we wanted to do more for the church sanctuary. Possible themes and location were discussed over the worktables for weeks. Pentecost became the inspiration and with the idea of wind (breath of God) and flame (appearance of flames appearing on heads of believers), Ruth Clough used pastels to sketch ideas. Possible sites to hang banners dictated the dimensions. Chris Sternberg converted drawings to the geometry of quilting. We used bargello quilts as basis for our work.
We absolutely could not make the large projects without the collaboration of all members. Everyone's knowledge, experience, techniques and ideas are always being factored into the work. The designs and sewing are impacted each week by who is there. For example, some of us are familiar with the raised flaps of fabric found in some art quilts --- so they were added to enhance the idea of breath or wind in the blue-toned banner. The colors and locations of the large, long stitches used to attach the layers were decided as various people worked on them.
