Some might say quilting is becoming a lost art, one of those relics from past generations that is no longer relevant today. However, one needs only to pay a visit to the quilting exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair each year to see that is not totally true.

What may be true is that those who have developed a love for quilting are getting older, and there seem to be fewer and fewer of the younger generation interested in picking up the art. The United Methodist Quilting Party in Callaway is a prime example of that.

The UMC Quilting Party was started in 1973, after a survey sent out by the church revealed that a number of ladies were interested in forming a quilting group. In August of that year, the group officially began and over the years has boasted quite a list of members, including: LaVonne Hickenbottom, Lucille Beshelar, Gayle Estergard, Lorraine G’Schwind, Patty G’Schwind, Kate Henry, Donna Myers, LaVonne Smith, Lucille Ward, Gladys Spangler, Shirley Pierce, Mary Jane Brestel, Pearl Anderson, Dolores Goodees, Patty Keeney, Schitzie Gilming, Cuba Eastwood, Mae Cook, Nellie Wolford, Marj Headley, Georgia Pitkin, Delores Leigh, Terri Dodge, Irene Snyder, and Helen Hickenbottom. That’s a big group of quilters!

Today, 50 years later, only three members of the quilting party remain. Shirley Pierce, Lucille Beshelar, and LaVonne Hickenbottom. The group started out meeting every other Tuesday at the Community Center, but Pierce said as they got older they decided to meet every week. Hickenbottom is a “newbie” to quilting having just picked up the trade a couple of years ago.

“I’ve been quilting since I was a little snot,” Pierce laughed. “My mom always had quilts in the wintertime. I’ve been sewing since I was probably about 10-yearsold.”

Pierce said it is difficult for younger women to find time to quilt. So many work outside the home, and it is time-consuming. “When I’m making a quilt I look at it as an artist. You’re putting the different colors and pieces together and forming a picture,” said Pierce. “There are a lot of people who make quilt tops but they don’t quilt them.”

The day we visited Pierce and Hickebottom were working on a quilt as a gift for the former pastor of Morning Star Church. “We do quilt for other people and get paid for it, then we take the money and help someone, Pierce explained.

That give-back mentality has always described the quilting party. In their first organized year, they donated $300 to Golden Harvest, $75 to the church fuel fund, and $350 to the Community Center fuel fund. Over the years the group has contributed to an orphanage, the nursing home, the hospital, the library, the Community Center, the ambulance fund, and several other worthy causes.

Recently it has been just Pierce and Hickenbottom holding down the fort, as Beshelar has been battling illness. They meet every Tuesday at the church from 10 a.m. till about 3 p.m. “We quilt a while, then stop and eat lunch, and quilt some more,” said Pierce.

“We take turns bringing lunch,” Hickenbottom added with a laugh.

Pierce has passed her love of quilting down to her daughter, who now lives in Denver. For Hickenbottom, it is an interest that has only developed after she got to an age where it was more difficult to do the things she really loves - being outdoors working.

“I love riding horses. I raked hay and am just an outdoors person,” she shared.

Quilting can be a catalyst that ties generations together. Pierce has made a quilt for every one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also owns quilts her mom made and has a double wedding ring quilt that her grandmother pieced that is over 100-years-old.

“I’m hoping that this winter I can get that quilted for my daughter,” Pierce said.

The two ladies grew up as “neighbors” between Callaway and Broken Bow. All these years later they are just trying to keep the quilting party alive.

“When they first started there were so many ladies that they had two quilting frames set up,” said Pierce. “Most of them are gone now. I don’t know who will do it when we’re gone.”