Heart of the Woods Quilters on 36th year in Ely

The Heart of the Woods Quilters was organized in 1989 when Corrine Buchner moved to Ely and placed an advertisement in the local newspaper asking if there was any quilters in the area who were interested in forming of guild.

Last year, the Guild celebrated its 35th anniversary with approximately 50 members from the Ely/Babbitt/ Winton/Tower and surrounding area as well as vacationing summer residents.

The Heart of the Woods Quilters have regularly displayed their work during the Ely Winter Fest Art Walk in February.

In the past they have also produced a biennial quilt show with proceeds from the show along money raised from a raffle quilt being donated to women’s and children’s groups in the area.

In lieu of a quilt show, the guild now focuses their attention to supporting charities in the area.

The quilters donate supplies, talent and their time to make quilts and other items.

In 2024, the HOTW Quilters donated more than 1,000 items to various charities in the area. Among s ome of the donations were 145 items given to the Northw oods Partners for their Festival of Trees, 123 for veterans in the area, 383 for NICU patients at the Mayo Clinic as well as the Maple Grove Hospital.

The Essentia Health Oncology Departments in Virginia and Duluth were the recipients 125 quilted and/ or knitted items for their patients.

Children in the area received over 50 items along with donations of mittens, hats and scarves. Each February, the Guild has a Trash to Treasure auction with proceeds of $350 going to the Ely Area Food Shelf.

The Guild meets at the Ledgerock Church on the fourth Thursday of each month to discuss ideas, instructions and friendship with one another. These meeting are open to new members and those visiting the area. For more information, please contact Nancy Andreae at 218-235-1010.