By Anna Monica – Correspondent

There was a lot of camaraderie, cooperation and creativity going on in the very nicely appointed “barn” area of Danielle and Paul Boudreaux’s home in Reserve. Friends were meeting there to make what they call a “rag quilt.” No, the quilt is not made from real rags, but from very colorful, coordinating pieces of fabric and this time the fabric was chosen by Loretta Duguid of Bakersfield, California, daughter of Jim and Cynthia Vicknair of Reserve. The “rag” description comes from the shearing of some of the fabric to look like ragged edges. It comes out just beautiful on both sides with the opposite side looking like a regular quilt.

Loretta made one last year and donated it to the St. Peter School Festival and worked on getting her mother interested in making one. “She taught her mother and her mother taught us,” the friends say. With her daughter’s encouragement and instructions, Cynthia made one of her own. Then she showed the fabric Loretta recently sent to long-time friend, Danielle Madere, who said “we have just got to make one, too!”

The “we,” for the following five-plus weeks were May Boudreaux, Coleen Boudreaux, Audrey Holmes, Melba Duhe and Cynthia and Danielle. This quilt is to be raffled with proceeds going to benefit St. Peter’s Church in Reserve. When they told the pastor, Fr. Phan Quan about it, he only asked them “and what do you do with it,” so they figured his native land never needed them.

This circle of friends has been very serious about their project which was not only work, but so much fun as they shared together. They say that Loretta was their guiding light. But, the friends also enlisted the continued help of their former Home Economics teacher, Shirley Frost to “come watch us,” according to Audrey. Colleen jokingly added, “We never got A’s in school so now we may be able to get A’s.” Shirley has always been there and is quite proud of her former students as she assists them. But, they say, “She started it!”

They have been friends “forever,” with Danielle, Cynthia and Audrey starting in the first grade so there was no problem in getting together for this project. May got involved because she just wanted to learn to quilt; Danielle had taught Audrey; and Melba always did know how to sew. Colleen was not to be left behind.”The truth, though,” Danielle offered “is that we first learned from Jane Chapman” (of LaPlace).

The driving force was that the friends thought the original quilt was so cute and easier than other quilting, they just had to try it. However, Cynthia did say “it looks easier than what it is.” “We like being together and it was for a good cause,” they agree.

Having met on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons all these weeks, each of the group contributed in their own way. They measured, cut, ironed and sewed continuously, leaving Cynthia to do most of the counting since she is good with numbers. Left-over pieces were used to make pillows.

The quilt was on display last weekend at the St. Peter Festival and those interested may see it at the Reserve Library from May 1st through 30th and at the LaPlace Library from June 1st through 30th. To get in on the raffle, any of the above-mentioned sewing group can help you or you can call the Reserve rectory or Cynthia at 985-536-2428.

This may not be the end of their quilting, however. Jokingly(?), they say, “we all want a quilt so after this, we need to make six more.”