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| Day two quilters with projects as completed by noon. Most kids had their projects finished by the time we left. |
“Tell me and I’ll forget;
show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” (Chinese
Proverb). If this is the case 32
Blanding youth now have a pretty good understanding of how to make a quilt.
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| Day 1 photos taken at 3:30 shows what kids had completed on day 1--amazing. |
For some who attended the two
day 4-H Quilt Camp, it involved lots of math as they enlarged patterns or
learned to sew ¼ inch seams; for others learning to thread and maneuver a
sewing machine (without stitching your finger!) was the challenge, but for most
the concept of selecting compatible fabrics, and then piecing parts into an
interesting whole was the fun part of quilting.
Unfortunately, Ethan was the one student out of 33 who did have a sewing needle accident. He was hurrying to finish on day two, and got his finger too close, and the needed went through his pointer finger, and broke in two places -- so it was a mini- surgery performed at camp. He was pretty shook up about it, but within the hour had calmed down, and was making jokes about it.
This shows his wounded finger as well as the quilt which he made for Ryan.
This is the 2nd
year for quilt camp, and there were twice many teachers and students this year (22
and 32 respectively) as last year. Because
quilting is not a gender specific skill, it was great having 7 boys in the
group this year, and all their shades of camo!
I got to teach my grandson Ethan, who loves monkeying around with machines. I knew if I didn't teach him soon, he'd try to figure the sewing machine out on his own. We had a great time together for two days, though I was working with two other neighbor kids as well. This blog is mainly the press release I sent to the paper, but I'll add a few more personal insights as well.
“We had a terrific group of volunteers
who donated their time for two days, helping to pass on their love and skill of
quilting, “stated Janet Wilcox, guild chairman for the event. Ten members of the Grayson Country Quilt guild
joined with another 12 community volunteers as instructors for the camp. Because most of the students were novices at
sewing, it took lots of time and patience teaching the basics, especially
considering many were working with 2 to 4 students. Most of the teachers had met 2-3 times prior
to camp, giving students practice time sewing, helping them pick fabric, and
cutting it out.
There were lots of kids
calling “Grandma” for help through the day, but teachers also included moms,
neighbors, visiting teachers, as well as teens and college students. “The high point for all of us,” teachers
agreed, “was seeing kids discover they have the power to create something
wonderful, through learning a new skill.
It becomes very empowering and fun for them.”
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| Caitlyn Winn got her quilt totally finished at camp. She tied it while we were there. |
The guild struck up a
partnership with USU in 2011 at their first camp, which provided a wonderful
facility, as well as administrative help.
Lou Mueller, local USU professor and 4-H extension agent, and her
assistant Karah Shumway made sure registration was completed, and that the
students learned something about 4-H values.
They also provided healthy snacks, a lunch and break activities – all of
which are important for elementary age children.
Some teachers like Eve Lynn Perkins and
Jeri Montella started working with their
girls several weeks ago, and Skye Jeppson and Precious Smith had their quilts
nearly finished before the actual event began.
Prizes were awarded when
quilt tops were finished. Each
participant received some fabric for their “next” project which was donated by
local guild members.
After all, as
Oliver Wendall Homes said, “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never
regains its original dimensions.” And
quilting is definitely a mind stretcher!
Blue Mountain Lodge was really humming Sept. 12-13 as 28
Blanding quilters enjoyed 24 hours of “pure” sewing and a little bit of sleep. Two instructional workshops were given. Norma Madden taught how to do the pioneer
braid and Crystal Day, owner of It’s Sew Moab, showed how to make a stack and whack stained
glass quilt. By the end of the last day, Nancy Kimmerle had finished a full
sized pioneer braid quilt. “I don’t like UFO’s (Unfinished Projects) laying
around my house,” she said! 
It’s possible that quilt shows began even before this, back when Blanding hosted Frontier Days, but someone else will need to find records on those! Anyway, quilt shows have been going a lot longer than five years!
For some who attended the two
day 4-H Quilt Camp, it involved lots of math as they enlarged patterns or
learned to sew ¼ inch seams; for others learning to thread and maneuver a
sewing machine (without stitching your finger!) was the challenge, but for most
the concept of selecting compatible fabrics, and then piecing parts into an
interesting whole was the fun part of quilting.
