Between exercise, computer and arts and crafts classes such as the Monday afternoon quilting, the Costa Mesa Senior Center is busier than ever.

It’s likely that on any day of the week visitors to the senior center can find a presentation or seminar occurring, health screenings taking place or a class in progress.

Quilting is one of those classes.

On Mondays, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., you will find women like Dolores Kaiser, Joanie Hunt, Mina Angorani and Marti Reiter, just to name a few, are cutting, talking, laying out patterns and sewing masterpieces together.

With a combined 63 years of experience and donated materials, these women spend their afternoon quilting and talking about life, patterns and swapping opinions on their work. On this particular day, there was talk about Oktoberfest, family and surviving cancer.

But quilting together is not just about a free class on Monday afternoon, it’s also an opportunity for sociability, comradery and the art and craft of quilting and friendship.

When asked if their quilting class is more than just a time to quilt, a smiling Dolores responds, “Oh yes, we are friends and like to talk about things. We have been quilting together for some time.”

To date, these women have donated their works of art to Long Beach Veterans Hospital, Santa Ana Life Center, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and anticipate donating baby quilts to Camp Pendleton this summer.

The time, effort, love and discussions that go into these quilts not only give these women something to do every Monday afternoon, but it’s a way for them to get together and more importantly, give back.

For questions on the quilting class or to find out how you can donate material contact the Costa Mesa Senior Center at (949) 645-2356.