Beginner’s Quilting Workshop

Saturday, July 27, 2024, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Rd., Harleysville

Saturday, August 10, 2024, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at MCC Material Resource Center, 737 Hagey Center Dr., Unit C, Souderton

Hand quilting is a timeless art! Join us for a morning of fun and learning.

In this workshop, led by Sharon Swartzentruber, participants will learn about quilt making, focusing on hand quilting.

Each participant will choose a preprinted fabric panel to learn hand quilting, outlining the design in the panel. A variety of panels will be available to choose from, including baby quilts, Christmas designs and all-season designs.

All materials are included, please bring your own scissors to cut threads. Fabrics and batting will be precut. A demonstration of the process for finishing a quilt will be provided.

Ages 13 and up are welcome to register. Consider getting a group of your friends to come. The workshop is limited to 15 participants.

The second session, August 10 at MCC Material Resource Center will provide guidance on finishing your hand quilted quilt. Participants will use sewing machines, provided, to attach a binding on the edge of their quilt. This session is optional but offered at no extra cost. Donations to MCC Material Resource Center for the use of their facility and sewing machines will be appreciated.

Have fun, learn a new skill, and begin making a gift for a friend or new item to decorate your home!

The workshop cost for both sessions with materials is $100 for members ($115 non-members). Registration is required and space is limited. To register call 215-256-3020 ext. 112 or click the link below.

REGISTER HERE

About Quilting:

Quilting has been around for a long time, in many different cultures. Nakshi Kantha, is a form of quilt from East Bengal (India and Bangladesh) using elaborate embroidery and simple quilt stitches. Early American quilts were made using fabrics from partially worn-out clothing. Mennonites, Amish, and other Anabaptists likely learned quilting from their English neighbors some time in the nineteenth century. During the 1900s, some quilts contained patches from feed sacks. These colorful printed sacks, originally holding animal feeds, could be used for quilts or clothes. Present day quilts are constructed from new cotton fabrics, and may be functional or decorative in purpose.

About Sharon:

Sharon Swartzentruber watched her grandmother, great aunt, and mother quilt as a child. At age 13 she made her first quilted item, a holly hobby shoulder bag with ruffle around the flap. Since then, she has made quilts for her children and grandchildren. She currently serves as the Chair of the Quilt Committee for the Pennsylvania Relief Sale to benefit Mennonite Central Committee. Her favorite quilts are traditional patchwork designs. She is excited to share her love of quilts with you.