This page is overflowing with new information! Click on the following links to read about each topic: Featured Quilt Artist for December 2024; Our guild members at the Keystone Quilt Show; Angel Babies; Quilting for Good; HCQ Meeting Agendas.
To view the lovely quilts, made by our guild members, and displayed at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, click here.
Featured Quilt Artist for December 2024
Mary Helen Ames is a our Featured Quilter for December. She lives in Perkiomenville with her husband, Lou. They have a daughter who lives in Florida with her husband, Ed, and their three daughters, Piper, 12; Aliana, 9; and Ava, 7. Mary started quilting in the early 80’s, making Dresden Plate pillows. She stopped or a while to raise her daughter, and returned to quilting in the late 90’s. She has been learning and quilting ever since.
The two pictured pieces are Christmas Tree Skirts. Mary always liked the way a Bargello looked, and she found a pattern that was perfect. The fabrics were from her stash, from trading with friends, and from purchases. It went together smoothly. This was her first try at machine quilting. She used a straight stitch witha bright white Rayon thread. This was a Christmas present for her daughter, who loved it.
Mary made the second tree skirt for herself. It was the perfect pattern as she loves stars. This was her second try at machine quilting. She used a small stipple stitch, and learned a lot.
Homemaker Country Quilters at the Keystone Quilt Show
Several of our members distinguished themselves at the Keystone Quilt show, which was held in early October. Here are pictures of their entries.
Angel Babies
Angel Babies is a charity that provides families who have lost a baby or child the support, compassion, and love needed in their darkest day. Homemakers Country Quilters is now supporting this charity by making blankets, quilts and hats. There are specific requirements for these items. That information is provided on the Our Activities and Charities page.
Quilting for Good
Quilting for Good is a growing local effort. In 2023 they created over 80 quilts for women (and their children) living in transitional housing after leaving various shelters. You can find more information about Quilting for Good on our Activities and Charities page.
2025 Meeting Agendas
January 10, 2025 – Interactive lecture with Barbara Garrett
What does my Quilt tell me?
Our own Barbara Garrett, a well renowned Quilt Historian, will observe quilts made prior to 1950. Those who have signed up to show their quilts will let Barbara know what they know about their older quilt and then Barbara will share her professional insight about the quilt – sharing information about fabric, age, style etc. Each quilt will be viewed for several minutes and the quilts will then be laid on tables in the other room so members can get a closer look.
We have room for about 5-6 more quilts so if you have not signed up, and wish to, let Christina or Madeline know.
February 14, 2025 – Round Robin
3 quilters will share their skills about a particular technique, style or
insight that they have mastered or recently discovered.
March 14, 2025 – Quilt Show preparation
April 11, 2025 – Lecture
“Kestrel’s Creations”
A deep dive into my artistic history and quilting process with Kestrel Michaud. Kestrel is a classsically trained, imaginative, realism fine artist with a passion for illustrating in fabric. She creates captivating works of art using fabric.
Until 2017, she worked as a full-time graphic designer, working with orfanizations including Judith Leiber, Kenneth Cole and NASA. She made her first art quilt in 2018 and won her first major award in 2019. She has gone on to win top prizes at quilt shows across the country. In 2021, Kestrel won a grand prize at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, and in 2024 she won best wall quilt at AQS Paducah. In 2023 she was invited to be a guest on The Quilt Show and Quilting Arts TV. She has been featured in Quiltfolk and Quilting Arts Magazines.
May 9, 2025 – “Empowering Science Communication through Storytelling, One Quilt at a Time-“ With Dr. Laura Guertin
Dr. Laura is a Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences at Penn State Brandywine (Media, PA), dedicated to improving the overall scientific literacy of her non STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) majors in her introductory level earth science classes.
Although Dr. Laura started quilting in 2006, she didn’t start using quilts as a way to engage in scientific storytelling until 2018. She also likes to engage in public outreach events to connect all audiences with earth science and why this is so important to all of us.
She will share her quilt collection based upon her experiences with Expedition 390 to honor the scientific mission of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP).
September 12, 2025 – Welcome Fall!
Meeting formats/venues during Covid
To remain flexible and responsive to the ever-changing considerations during this time of Covid, HCQ will provide its usual programming events in several formats/venues. Be sure to check the description of each event to learn which of the following formats will apply:
- In person – at 4 H Center of Montgomery County 1015 Bridge Rd Collegeville.
- Hybrid – In person at 4 H Center of Montgomery County with an option to attend from home via Zoom.
- Zoom Only – When Zoom format is used for an event, Members and/or pre-paid guests will receive Zoom meeting invitations via email a few days prior to the session.
The meeting format will be listed in the newsletter. If you are not sure, please email the guild a few days before the meeting to see what format we will use.