Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club

Rather than starting and completing one project at a time — whether it be crocheting, knitting, embroidery or quilting — Star Farms’ Rosemary Cummings starts 14 projects at once.

Therefore, Cummings has a wide range of unfinished creations — including some that have lingered for 25 years.

“Every quilt is different and nothing can be perfect,” Cummings said. “I put myself into every quilt.” 

Cummings has attended Stitchers, a club based at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall North and founded in 2023, in which the members gather and bond over creative projects. Slowly but surely, her unfinished projects are getting completed while she bonds with others from the community.

Members gather to work on their individual projects and they also work together on one big group project. 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Central Park’s Theresa Langston, who leads the group, began sewing in high school for her home economics class. She became so adept, he was hired to sew for a New York City fashion designer as a side job. Years ago, she made clothes, but now her focus is on quilts, placemats, table runners, rugs, and more.

“I just love the challenge of putting things together to make them perfect, even though when I first started out, things were not,” Langston said. “Now I'm trying to stress perfection more. The challenge of a puzzle and putting a quilt block together is difficult.” 

Langston appreciates that each member of the group has something to contribute — a different skill or tactic to teach to others. She has taught edge-to-edge quilting — which is done using an embroidery machine — during the club meetings because the interest is there and sometimes it is not very easy to grasp.

“You can come (to the club) with no skill, and all of a sudden you realize you have a ton of skill,” Langston said.

Central Park’s Jo-Anne Lawler joined Stitchers with previous sewing experience as her grandmother, Catherine, taught her to hand sew and her mother, Mary, taught her to machine sew. She finds quilting to be relaxing, brain-engaging and soothing for the soul. Since joining the group three years ago, she has grown much more confident in it.

“Everyone at Stitchers offers a different skill set,” Lawler said. “No one makes you feel inadequate. The conversation and laughs are heartwarming and the beautiful quilts are inspiring.” 

Lawler feels a sense of accomplishment when finishing a quilt whether she gives it away or snuggles up with it herself. She has taught her grandchildren — Mary, Jojo and Mark — to sew and looks forward to teaching them how to quilt.

Courtesy image

Cummings said she is not a quilt fanatic and she doesn’t sell her work. She simply shows her work to friends and family. Most times she knows she will give her quilts away, whether it be for a new baby or an auction to raise money. As long as it goes to someone who will appreciate it, she is happy.

Summerfield’s Linda Matte joined Stitchers with embroidery skills but she was looking to learn from others who knew more than her. She loves sharing her skills when it comes to embroidery but she also soaks in advice about sewing and quilting. She is currently working on a quilt for her 7-year-old grandson that features cars and numbers.

“(The members) are willing to help when you're in a jam and they give you ideas about what to do next,” Matte said. “They also help with getting organized, which is one of my downfalls.” 

Matte encourages anyone interested in the club to join. She said there is definitely a learning curve, but beginners are welcome.

“We're here to sew, get ideas and talk about our lives,” Langston said. “That's what we like to do.”

“You don't just sit home and put the TV on,” Matte said. “You actually are doing things that make you feel good. There's a purpose in life.”