CHAPEL HILL -- To the music of whirring sewing machines, Karen West danced from student to student, answering questions and offering tips as they fashioned striped and flowered fabrics into works of portable art.

Her collection of dress-up clothes had grown as the parents had added loose bits of fabric from sewing projects or fabric stores, or hats and shirts and dresses and jackets from parental hand-me-downs or second-hand shops. One day Rachel came down to

Linda McDowell of Scituate remembered the day in 2003 when women from the morning, afternoon and evening quilting and sewing groups held a baby shower for her. “That's the kind of place it is,” McDowell said.

We have sewing machines and sergers available for use. Supplies include: yarn, fabric, notions and crochet hooks along with several patterns to choose from for baby items. We accept donations of gently used/new baby items.

No wonder she never finished this quilt, one she had started by sewing four pieces together in eight-inch long strips. She had finished 68 such strips, enough for 17 of the 24 quilt blocks. But that proved a challenge. “When she sewed them together,