They’re kindred spirits who gather weekly at Sue Biddle’s home in Auburn to quilt and, in the process, discover rewarding patterns for their lives.

“I have always sewn and quilted on my own,” Susan Murphy said. “Coming here gives me the confidence and willingness to try something.”

Her instructor brings to her quilting classroom years of experience in encouraging students.

Biddle is a retired home economics teacher, who taught at Walton Junior High and Edward Little High schools. She began quilting in 1986 and has held classes in her home for 10 years.

For three years, she worked with Betsy Dore, owner of Quiltessentials on Minot Avenue in Auburn.

“We’ve started with mystery quilts, where the students do not know what they are making. They’ve learned new skills,” Biddle said.

“Some work on garment making, home decor, window treatments and accessorizing their homes,” she said. “I marvel that it has gone on as long as it has. I did not think it would last. I feel a lot of energy, I’m not at all tired.”

Her students mirror her enthusiasm and express appreciation for her instruction and encouragement.

“Sue has given us skills to make some beautiful heirlooms,” Denise Ireland said. “I’ve personally given some quilts to family members. The tools we learn here affect many lives and go on for generations,” she said.

“It’s the friends. We have a blast together,” she said of the camaraderie that’s developed. “On Wednesday, I feel cheated if I have to call and say I have a family event. I want to be here. It’s therapy. You create something, and you forget about your troubles.”

Jan Williams is a novice quilter whose involvement links four generations of her family.

“I used to sew a little bit when (my) kids were little,” she said. “My mother taught me to sew. A lot of things Sue taught me, I had known, and now it brings back memories of my mom. Now my daughter wants to learn, and my granddaughter wants a quilt, as long as it’s purple!”

To Patricia Jamieson, Biddle’s patient instruction gives her confidence to take up a challenge.

“I just plow into it when I see something I like, even if it is above my skill level. She never said, ‘That’s too difficult for you.’ She never squelched my fearlessness. I had 36 different fabrics. She never gave up, she made me finish that!” Jamieson said.

“This affects other areas of life. It is the whole concept of ‘there are no mistakes, just problems we need to work through.’ So now I can be more relaxed about the other things in my life.”

Sandy Chabot, who had planned to make a king-size quilt, calls Biddle a miracle worker.

“She has taught me things I never knew. She’s always willing to fix things, and she fixes your problems.”

Biddle’s response?

“It’s not just me. It’s the whole group. … I’m very grateful for my students and especially Rod, my husband, who is my greatest supporter. He is always attentive to the ladies’ needs and making everyone comfortable, whether it be parking, carrying in their supplies or holding an umbrella in the rain. It is a family business.”