On the third Wednesday of every month, quilters of all ages and experiences gather at the Fitzpatrick Senior Center in East Islip. From 6:30 to 9 p.m., members meet to preserve the hobby of quilting, all sharing the same passion and encouragement. They are known as the Great South Bay Quilters.

The GSBQ is a nonprofit organization that was started back in June of 1983. This year will be their 42nd, meeting once a month from September to June, to share their passion for quilting. It is a welcoming group of individuals, inviting newcomers and those who have little to no experience.

Currently, there are about 54 members, some of whom are volunteers and dedicate their time to the GSBQ Committee. Joan Dlouhy is the president for the 2024-2025 year and has been a part of the Guild for over 17 years. Additionally, she was previously the president from 2013 to 2014.

After the GSBQ took a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they made their return just one year later, giving back to their communities. In 2021 and 2022, the Guild donated toys and toiletries to the Family Service League, in Central Islip, and St. Patrick’s Hospitality Center, in Bay Shore. As part of a yearly project, GSBQ members are asked to complete a quilt within the 10 months to be donated to an organization.

At each meeting, doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 7 p.m. At the first meeting of the year, held on Jan. 16, members discussed labels for quilts. Labels are typically placed in the corner of a finished quilt, to display information such as who made it, the year it was started and finished, name of the receiver, or a short poem or story.

Shortly after the business meeting, the Guild takes a brief break for coffee and cake, before gathering again to participate in a show-and-tell. Quilters showcase project quilts that they have either completed or are working on. There is also a raffle held at the end, with tickets being sold during the earlier part of the meeting.

The organization doesn’t just make quilts for themselves or their family members, but also their local communities. Although sometimes they receive donations, a majority of the products used to quilt are purchased by the members themselves. The Guild provides the wadding, or middle layer of the quilt. Quilts have three layers: the quilt top, wadding and quilt backing.

The GSBQ have donated quilts to nursing homes, veterans’ groups, hospitals, women shelters and church organizations. Additionally, one of the quilts made by Dlouhy was raffled at the Bay Shore Historical Society’s potluck dinner this past December.

Those interested in learning more about the GSBQ or attending a meeting can head to www.greatsouthbayquilters.org. Additionally, newcomers are always welcome to stop by the Fitzpatrick Senior Center at Brookwood Hall in East Islip. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 19.