By definition, a quilt is garment made up of many pieces – a patchwork of colorful and unique materials crafted into the warm embrace of a blanket. The same definition would suffice for the Codman Square Senior Quilting Club, people from the neighborhood who for decades have created a warm environment in which they come together and practice the fine art of quilting.

The group, which has now been reconstituted after a pandemic pause, recently celebrated their first Spring Show since 2019 in the Codman Square Library, where they meet weekly to work.

Elnora Thompson, a resident of Dorchester since 1970, discovered the group in 1999 when it was still operating out of the Kit Clark Senior Center in Fields Corner. The artists moved to the Codman Square Library in the late 1990s after librarian Janice Knight invited them to do so.

“I retired from the telephone company in 1997 and I went to the group when it was at Kit Clark and joined them and have been there ever since,” she said, adding, “I just enjoy everything about quilting. When you hand-quilt, it’s like meditation. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. My mom and grandmother hand quilted. I grew up in Mississippi and it’s part of the culture down there.”

Club leader Elnora Thompson stands in front of one of her favorite quilts – a piece she presented as a bridal gift to a family member. Thompson joined the group in 1999 and has stuck with it ever since.

Thompson said the group is quite prolific. She made 26 quilts herself during the pandemic period. Last September, members came back to the library in person and have been working there through the conclusion of this season – which ended last month.
Thompson said the group is quite prolific. She herself made 26 quilts during the pandemic period. Last September they came back to the library in person and have been working there through the conclusion of this season – which ended in June.

“We love being here,” said Thompson. “The heart of the neighborhood is right here at this library.”

During the spring show on June 15, scores of colorful and artistic quilts adorned the walls. There were quilts from first timers and from those who had been at it more than 20 years. And there were eye-popping creations from their resident artist – Susan Thompson, who makes quilts destined for a museum wall rather than a living room couch. Still, many of the quilts go to patients at places like Boston Medical Center, or the Boston Home in Dorchester.

Gwendolyn Lisenby, who has been part of the group for 20 years, said all are welcome and that’s what she likes about it. She noted that she used to sew all her clothes until material became too expensive. Moving over to quilting was a natural step, she said.

Gwendolyn Lisenby poses in front of a colorful quilt she put on display for the Spring Show at Codman Square Library.

Newcomers like Lisa Murphy have fit right in and have been quite productive. She said she has sewed all her life, and in her family, they made everything by hand. In high school, she learned about quilting and took a class with her grandmother.

This past year, she joined the Codman Square group and has been prolific, producing multiple quilts and one for a resident of the Boston Home who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

“I try to do one community project a year,” she said.

Lisa Murphy (right) with her husband, Joe Levinger, and her daughter, Michelle Levinger, at the Codman Square Senior Quilting Club Spring Show on June 15. The club has survived for decades and is quite prolific.

Then there’s recently retired Donna Meredith, who joined the group recently and produced her first quilt ever. “I’m a beginner,” she said. “It’s only been four months, and this is my first one…Right now I’m just doing squares, but the rest of the ladies are doing cuts and triangles. I’m retired and now I have some new friends and work with them a couple of days a week and they’re wonderful.”

Librarian Knight told the group they are indeed a creative and talented group.

“These ladies are creating art with a sewing machine,” she said. “They let their stitches tell their story.”

Librarian Janice Knight said the members of the club “let their stitches tell their story.”

The club will resume its activities this September at the library.

The Codman Square Senior Quilting Club presented a gift to Librarians Yolanda Ortiz and Janice Knight.

Friends Alice Pettway and Eunice Ohrt have been part of the quilting club for decades, having joined the original group when it was at Kit Clark Senior Center in Fields Corner. Both have made too many quilts over that time to count.