FRANCIE RUSSELL Secretary of Meeker Quilters’ Guild Getting to use a sewing machine, learning how to make a quilt and making new friends are the responses of nearly all the Meeker Quilters’ Guild three-day Quilt Camp participants. Even in this age of technology and hand-held devices, 23 young people, aged from 7 to 16, found joy and creativity in the art of quilt making--just like quilting bees of yesteryear.
This was the 16th annual Summer Quilt Camp sponsored by the Meeker Quilters’ Guild and hosted by Mammoth Baptist Church. The goals of the quilt camp were to teach basic sewing and quilting skills, safe use of sewing equipment and machines, teamwork, patience, having fun while learning the art of quilting and to complete a hand-tied lap quilt at the end of the camp. On Wednesday, the last day, the group celebrated with a pizza party and ice cream sundaes.
In the 16 years the Meeker Quilters’Guild has sponsored the Summer Quilt Camp, 88 individual participants have completed quilts. Of the 88, many of them have attended the quilt camp numerous times for a total of 202 enrollments/quilts.
The Meeker Quilters’ Guild is thankful and appreciative of the community support, quilting fabric donations and Mammoth Baptist Church for helping to keep the art of quilting alive and exciting.
Quilt Camp leaders included: Marlene Young, Debbie Price; Denise Anderson, Roberta Deffenbaugh, Deigh Ausdenmoore, Becky Johnston, Judy Peace, Cheryl Perrault, Karen Ingle, Mariah McDoulett, Brittany McDoulett, Irlys White, Lanette Harris, Kandice O’Hern, Brittany Smith, Monica Schadel, Shane Schadel and Francie Russell.
Pictured are the participants in this year’s quilt camp. Front Row: Rosie McCarley – 8; Elizabeth Taylor – 8; Thia Stapp – 9; Danny Taylor – 8; Katherine Andrews – 8; Graham McCarley – 8; Jonas Andrews – 10. Second Row: Olivia Taylor – 10; Vera Stapp – 10; Annabelle McCarley – 12; Evlyn Watlington – 11; Alba Bagwell – 10; Liberty Keen – 10 and Raylee Armitage – 15. Back Row: Piper Johnston – 15; Katie White – 16; Felicia Woods 14; Jade Wakley – 14; Prudence Smothers – 16; Brianna Wakley - 16; and Kylie Wakley – 9. Not pictured: Harley Smith and Heston Smith.
Photo/Francie Russell