Then and Now Exhibit
A special exhibit by York Quilters' Guild members, showing one of their first quilts and a current quilt to see how their talent and quilting has evolved in 20 years or more.
Viewing the exquisite quilts at a quilt show, have you ever wondered where the journey began? At the York Quilters’ Guild, we have many quilters who have been quilting most of their life. Some as young children, taught by their Mother or Grandmother. What great memories! Make sure you take time to examine the special exhibit “Then & Now”. I’m sure there will be a dramatic difference. Please come and enjoy each of their journeys!
Then and Now Participants:
Jill Coleman - I started quilting in my 30's, self taught, no quilters in my family. I love all aspects of the craft, especially looking at a pattern and envisioning it in a totally different colorway, fabric line etc. I guess I would have to say my least favorite is that 5th corner of binding, doesn't it always seem there are 5 when you are getting close to finish??
Barbara Colvin - My background is garment and home dec sewing but I was always interested in quilts. I took a beginning quilting class and then a sampler class from Carol Blevin at Seams Elegant in 1988. I was hooked! I enjoy figuring out how a quilt is constructed working on Electric Quilt. Piecing and both hand and machine applique are my favorite parts. My least favorite is the quilting, however my longarm machine makes it easier.
Janet Chinault - I took a beginner quilting class, attended the York Quilters Guild show and joined the guild all in 1988. Quilting has been my passion ever since. I enjoys all aspects of quilting, especially the cutting, machine piecing and hand applique. Favorite patterns are traditional ones, often scrappy. Belonging to several groups that meet monthly to quilt together, as well as a local quilt study group, which also meets monthly.
Judy Deveney -I made my first quilt in 1990. A sampler quilt made in a class with Carol Blevins. At that class I became completely hooked on quilting. I am a fabric collector. My favorite part of making a quilt is selecting the fabrics. The least is Basting the quilting.
Kristin Gabel - I began quilting 41 years ago as a way to connect with my new mother-in-law so that we would have more in common than just her son. I took lessons from Ellie Bennett which were held at the hardware store in Littlestown. From the very first lesson on hand piecing and hand quilting, I was hooked!
My favorite part of quilting is making miniature quilts. I enjoy the challenge of working with very small pieces and 1/8” seam allowances. My least favorite part of quilting is binding the quilt. Once the piecing, appliqueing and quilting is done, I’m ready to move on to the next project.
Betsy Hoffer-Carolus - I took my first quilt class from the 4H center before my first daughter was born and she is now 40 y/o. Soon after, I found Carol Blevins teaching classes at Ben Franklin Crafts and really loved her detailed knowledge and information. I was hooked! Both of my grandmothers had quilted, but one of them died before I was born. Sewing the quilt blocks gave me a special link to my grandmas. My quilting knowledge expanded with classes at MAQ and more classes with Carol Blevins. I even taught a 4 block sampler class for our Mom and Me group at our church. Over covid I cleaned out my sewing room and one by one, finished 4 quilts that I had been working on for years and had tucked away! I am delighted to now be able to use them on my bed.
Paula Jacobus – I started quilting in 2000. I had breast cancer and was walking from the wig store to lunch when I passed a fabric store. I stepped inside to say hello to a friend. She and others there convinced me to try that evening’s mystery quilt. I did not know how to use a rotary cutter or chain piece, but showed up that evening with my high school sewing machine. I was quickly hooked on quilting. I went to MAQ that summer and took my entire stash of fabric. That would be impossible now! My quilting journey has provided a wonderful creative outlet, fun times with friends, and many quilts for family and friends. I look forward to more quilting time during retirement.
Anne King - I started quilting as a teenager under the guidance of my mother and grandmother. I had also been sewing a lot of clothing at the time and my “Then” quilt contains many fabrics from clothing that I made and from fabric sample books. My “Now” quilt was a guild challenge for the guild’s 30th anniversary. I tried to include many techniques that a quilter may learn over 30 years. My favorite part of quilting is piecing and applique. My least favorite part is marking the quilt- mostly due to the fact that I still haven’t found a perfect way to mark it. I also find quilting on my home machine challenging at times. I still find it a great creative outlet.
Cindy Leen - In 1991 I received a quilt pattern in the mail from my sister. It was a Round the World pattern, and she thought it might be something I would be interested in trying. I bought a used sewing machine, and slowly began my 30+ year adventure. A year later I was married, and my next project was 2 quilts for my young stepsons. Those were simple dinosaur fabrics with borders, and I put flannel on the backs; both of those young men still have those quilts. So that was the start. I joined the York Quilters’ Guild in 1998, and I have been in two small quilting groups that have been meeting monthly for many years. I go to as many shows as I can, as well as the two guild retreats that we have every spring and fall at the Bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle. Quilting has really played a huge part in my life!
Ginny Lehr
Cindy Martin - I started my first quilt in 1976 when the bicentennial renewed interest in the art. Many magazines featured how-to sections and lots of pictures. My paternal Grandmother was a quilter so I grew up with quilts on all the beds. I made her a quilted pillow to prove my stitches were good enough to join her at the frame. Favorite part of quilting - the hand quilting, tho I like each step of design to get to that part. Least favorite part - the machine quilting that is currently expected.
Kathy Patterson - I made my first quilts in the early 1990s, but didn't start quilting regularly until I joined the staff of McCall's Quilting magazine in 2004. I learned the basics from my mother and aunt, and my learning curve went up steeply once I was spending time with quilting professionals! My favorite parts of making quilts are the designing stage, and hand-sewing on the binding (oh, the feeling of that final stitch!). My least favorite part is pin or thread basting in preparation for quilting.
Erma Raver
Donna Sheffer - I started garment sewing at an early age in 4-H. I credit my younger sister with getting me to branch out into quilting. While visiting a quilt shop, I found a pattern, fabric and was hooked. The other influence on my quilting journey was the invention of the rotary cutter in 1979. I had no interest in using cereal box templates. My favorite part of quilting is planning my next project and shopping for the supplies. My least favorite aspect of quilting is when a pattern leaves you hanging by saying “quilt as desired”.
Jill Volz * I have been interested in sewing and embroidery since I was young. I would walk to the library every week and bring home books to learn from. I started quilting around 1985 so I’ve been quilting for over 35 years!! I started by taking classes with Carol Blevins at Calico Patch shop. Everything was done by hand including making cardboard templates. Over the years I became very interested in appliqué and took many classes and learned many methods. It’s still my favorite thing and am now into wool appliqué and embroidery embellishment.
Gay Weigland
Barb Wilke - I began quilting at a very young age. My mother always had a project to work on during evenings as she relaxed. My favorite part of quilting is just the act of creating. It is a marvelous media that can be so versatile. My least favorite part is deciding what to make next. There are always so many options of things I just have to make.
Viewing the exquisite quilts at a quilt show, have you ever wondered where the journey began? At the York Quilters’ Guild, we have many quilters who have been quilting most of their life. Some as young children, taught by their Mother or Grandmother. What great memories! Make sure you take time to examine the special exhibit “Then & Now”. I’m sure there will be a dramatic difference. Please come and enjoy each of their journeys!
Then and Now Participants:
Jill Coleman - I started quilting in my 30's, self taught, no quilters in my family. I love all aspects of the craft, especially looking at a pattern and envisioning it in a totally different colorway, fabric line etc. I guess I would have to say my least favorite is that 5th corner of binding, doesn't it always seem there are 5 when you are getting close to finish??
Barbara Colvin - My background is garment and home dec sewing but I was always interested in quilts. I took a beginning quilting class and then a sampler class from Carol Blevin at Seams Elegant in 1988. I was hooked! I enjoy figuring out how a quilt is constructed working on Electric Quilt. Piecing and both hand and machine applique are my favorite parts. My least favorite is the quilting, however my longarm machine makes it easier.
Janet Chinault - I took a beginner quilting class, attended the York Quilters Guild show and joined the guild all in 1988. Quilting has been my passion ever since. I enjoys all aspects of quilting, especially the cutting, machine piecing and hand applique. Favorite patterns are traditional ones, often scrappy. Belonging to several groups that meet monthly to quilt together, as well as a local quilt study group, which also meets monthly.
Judy Deveney -I made my first quilt in 1990. A sampler quilt made in a class with Carol Blevins. At that class I became completely hooked on quilting. I am a fabric collector. My favorite part of making a quilt is selecting the fabrics. The least is Basting the quilting.
Kristin Gabel - I began quilting 41 years ago as a way to connect with my new mother-in-law so that we would have more in common than just her son. I took lessons from Ellie Bennett which were held at the hardware store in Littlestown. From the very first lesson on hand piecing and hand quilting, I was hooked!
My favorite part of quilting is making miniature quilts. I enjoy the challenge of working with very small pieces and 1/8” seam allowances. My least favorite part of quilting is binding the quilt. Once the piecing, appliqueing and quilting is done, I’m ready to move on to the next project.
Betsy Hoffer-Carolus - I took my first quilt class from the 4H center before my first daughter was born and she is now 40 y/o. Soon after, I found Carol Blevins teaching classes at Ben Franklin Crafts and really loved her detailed knowledge and information. I was hooked! Both of my grandmothers had quilted, but one of them died before I was born. Sewing the quilt blocks gave me a special link to my grandmas. My quilting knowledge expanded with classes at MAQ and more classes with Carol Blevins. I even taught a 4 block sampler class for our Mom and Me group at our church. Over covid I cleaned out my sewing room and one by one, finished 4 quilts that I had been working on for years and had tucked away! I am delighted to now be able to use them on my bed.
Paula Jacobus – I started quilting in 2000. I had breast cancer and was walking from the wig store to lunch when I passed a fabric store. I stepped inside to say hello to a friend. She and others there convinced me to try that evening’s mystery quilt. I did not know how to use a rotary cutter or chain piece, but showed up that evening with my high school sewing machine. I was quickly hooked on quilting. I went to MAQ that summer and took my entire stash of fabric. That would be impossible now! My quilting journey has provided a wonderful creative outlet, fun times with friends, and many quilts for family and friends. I look forward to more quilting time during retirement.
Anne King - I started quilting as a teenager under the guidance of my mother and grandmother. I had also been sewing a lot of clothing at the time and my “Then” quilt contains many fabrics from clothing that I made and from fabric sample books. My “Now” quilt was a guild challenge for the guild’s 30th anniversary. I tried to include many techniques that a quilter may learn over 30 years. My favorite part of quilting is piecing and applique. My least favorite part is marking the quilt- mostly due to the fact that I still haven’t found a perfect way to mark it. I also find quilting on my home machine challenging at times. I still find it a great creative outlet.
Cindy Leen - In 1991 I received a quilt pattern in the mail from my sister. It was a Round the World pattern, and she thought it might be something I would be interested in trying. I bought a used sewing machine, and slowly began my 30+ year adventure. A year later I was married, and my next project was 2 quilts for my young stepsons. Those were simple dinosaur fabrics with borders, and I put flannel on the backs; both of those young men still have those quilts. So that was the start. I joined the York Quilters’ Guild in 1998, and I have been in two small quilting groups that have been meeting monthly for many years. I go to as many shows as I can, as well as the two guild retreats that we have every spring and fall at the Bongiorno Conference Center in Carlisle. Quilting has really played a huge part in my life!
Ginny Lehr
Cindy Martin - I started my first quilt in 1976 when the bicentennial renewed interest in the art. Many magazines featured how-to sections and lots of pictures. My paternal Grandmother was a quilter so I grew up with quilts on all the beds. I made her a quilted pillow to prove my stitches were good enough to join her at the frame. Favorite part of quilting - the hand quilting, tho I like each step of design to get to that part. Least favorite part - the machine quilting that is currently expected.
Kathy Patterson - I made my first quilts in the early 1990s, but didn't start quilting regularly until I joined the staff of McCall's Quilting magazine in 2004. I learned the basics from my mother and aunt, and my learning curve went up steeply once I was spending time with quilting professionals! My favorite parts of making quilts are the designing stage, and hand-sewing on the binding (oh, the feeling of that final stitch!). My least favorite part is pin or thread basting in preparation for quilting.
Erma Raver
Donna Sheffer - I started garment sewing at an early age in 4-H. I credit my younger sister with getting me to branch out into quilting. While visiting a quilt shop, I found a pattern, fabric and was hooked. The other influence on my quilting journey was the invention of the rotary cutter in 1979. I had no interest in using cereal box templates. My favorite part of quilting is planning my next project and shopping for the supplies. My least favorite aspect of quilting is when a pattern leaves you hanging by saying “quilt as desired”.
Jill Volz * I have been interested in sewing and embroidery since I was young. I would walk to the library every week and bring home books to learn from. I started quilting around 1985 so I’ve been quilting for over 35 years!! I started by taking classes with Carol Blevins at Calico Patch shop. Everything was done by hand including making cardboard templates. Over the years I became very interested in appliqué and took many classes and learned many methods. It’s still my favorite thing and am now into wool appliqué and embroidery embellishment.
Gay Weigland
Barb Wilke - I began quilting at a very young age. My mother always had a project to work on during evenings as she relaxed. My favorite part of quilting is just the act of creating. It is a marvelous media that can be so versatile. My least favorite part is deciding what to make next. There are always so many options of things I just have to make.
