At University City Public Library, quilting didn’t just bring people together; it helped bring people back.
After years of disruption from a pandemic closure, a major renovation, and even a flood, the library was reopening its doors and reintroducing itself to the community. Staff weren’t looking for a one-time event. They needed something that would draw people in and keep them connected to the community.
That’s where quilting came in.
Led by Community Engagement Librarian Kevin Korinek and teaching artist Gwen Clopton, the creative aging quilting program became a way to reconnect people not just to creativity, but to each other—and to the library itself.
University City Public Library, just outside downtown St. Louis, serves a diverse and dynamic community across income levels and life experiences. Long a central gathering space, the library also had something critical to build on: strong relationships with local artists.
Quilters, in particular, were already part of the library’s ecosystem. A local quilting guild regularly met at the library and exhibited work in its gallery. Gwen Clopton was part of that world—an experienced quilter, longtime resident, and familiar face in the building.
So when the opportunity for a creative aging program arose, the foundation was already there.
“I never thought of myself as teaching,” Gwen said. “But then I realized… actually, I could do that.”
Instead of starting from scratch, the program’s success lay in recognizing and building on existing community connections.
Gwen’s approach was to start from zero and adjust as needed. By the third week, she realized the original plan was too ambitious. Instead of pushing forward, she scaled back.
“That pivot changed everything,” she reflected.
Rather than aiming for a fixed final product, the class became more flexible. Participants could work by hand or machine, move at their own pace, and define their own level of completion. The focus shifted from output to comfort and confidence. Mistakes became part of the process.
“If you can’t see it from a galloping horse,” Gwen joked, “it’s probably fine.”
That mindset created something powerful: a space where older adults felt comfortable being beginners.
By the final session, the group had transformed. Instead of a formal showcase of finished quilts, the closing celebration focused on progress. Participants shared whatever they had created: blocks, partial pieces, or completed works. There were quilt-themed cookies, coffee, and plenty of storytelling.
What mattered wasn’t perfection. It was participation. It was no longer just a class. It was a community.
The library extended access to its makerspace, allowing people to continue working on their projects. That access evolved into informal, ongoing sewing sessions where participants could gather, create, and connect.
Some continued quilting. Others explored new creative outlets. But the key shift was this: people began using the space independently.
The program also reshaped staffing in a lasting way. Gwen, the teaching artist, is now the library’s makerspace librarian. What began as a partnership became embedded in the institution itself.
For Kevin, the timing of the program was critical. After reopening, the library needed to rebuild engagement and this program helped do exactly that.
It brought people in consistently, introduced them to new spaces, and demonstrated what the library could offer beyond traditional services. It also reinforced an essential lesson: the success of a program depends as much on the instructor as the idea.
“You can pick almost anything,” Kevin said. “But the strength of the instructor will make or break the class.”
The quilting program offered several clear takeaways:
There were challenges as well. Scheduling space, maintaining attendance, and balancing varied skill levels required ongoing attention. But those challenges ultimately strengthened the program, leading to a more responsive and participant-centered approach.
For libraries considering similar programs, the advice is straightforward: start with your community.
“Go out and ask what people need,” Kevin said. “Then find a really strong instructor to lead it.”
Gwen adds another perspective: trust what you already know and share it.
“For me, it was taking the best parts of what I already had, and being able to share that with other people.”
At its core, the quilting program was about more than fabric and thread. It was about rebuilding connection after disruption, after isolation, after time apart.
What started as an eight-week class became something lasting: a space where people could learn, create, and belong. And in the process, it helped stitch the library more deeply into the fabric of its community.
Kevin Korinek is a 20 year librarian and the current Community Engagement Librarian for University City Public Library in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to running a successful nonfiction book club called Rhythm n’ Books, he loves finding great programming opportunities and bringing new people into the library.
Gwen Clopton has been sewing since she was eight, starting with Barbie clothes made from fabric scraps and cellophane tape. She learned to use a sewing machine from her mother and her Girl Scout leader—and yes, she earned the badge! After years of making many garments and crafts, Gwen turned to quilting at age 25. With her friends, she used the Eleanor Burns “tear” method to complete her first log cabin quilt. Since then, Gwen has explored numerous quilting techniques and created many quilts over the years.
She currently works as a library assistant in the UCPL Makerspace and stays active in the community by participating in a hand-piecing group and leading a local Quilts of Valor chapter, where volunteers make quilts for veterans. Previously, Gwen spent most of her career as a technical writer in the financial industry.