BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Participants in the WWI Centennial Theme and Challenge sections at the recent Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild show included (seated left-right): Mary Kaufmann, Cassidy Jacobs, and Patti Winters. Standing left to right: Cindy Craddock, Carol Shetler, Kim Hunter, Helena Volanski, Kay Rhinehart, Linda Becker and Nancy Jacobs. Deb Smith and Bonnie Foust were absent from photo.

PENNSDALE – Now that the quilt show is over, the Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild is busier than ever. This Saturday there will be a workshop at the First United Methodist Church in Pennsdale to work on their 2019 Christmas quilt, a fun block known as the “disappearing four patch” according to organizer, Teri Snyder.

On Friday, May 4, Gail Kessler of Ladyfingers Sewing Studio in Oley, PA will be presenting a lecture on the art of quilting “From Concept to Cloth”, and the following day on Saturday, May 5 Kessler will be holding a workshop for the members.

May will end with a trunk show from well-known quilter Wendy Etzel who will highlight “Forty Years of Quilting” on May 24. Her quilts are artistic and range from traditional to modern, some are abstract while others are visually impacted with landscapes and colorful scenery. A resident of Barbours, Etzel is the author of five books. She is especially known for her quilted houses inspired by the Victorian designs of Williamsport. She incorporates special objects into her designs often set among quilted cupboards and bookshelves.

More exciting workshops and programs are coming in September announced President, Cindy Campbell who will be having an open board meeting on Thursday, April 26. “Our guild is growing by leaps and bounds,” she said. “We are open to entertain new ideas.” She also announced a survey to complete online to determine how to “invest in our resources going forward.” Fall programming will host a program and workshop with Deb Tucker’s rulers. “Three certified instructors of Deb Tucker’s Design Rulers will come to Pennsdale on Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29,” Campbell announced.

During the March 22nd meeting members reviewed a slide show photographed by Sue Keller of the quilts that were entered into the quilt show. 165 quilts plus three from the county museum can be viewed on the quilt guild’s Facebook page. A gift presentation that included a weekend retreat to Link Hill was given to Cindy Craddock of Muncy who has chaired the quilt show for the past four years. “I am overwhelmed at your generosity and thoughtfulness,” she said afterwards. “I did the show not for a reward, but because I enjoy seeing all the quilts we labor over, hanging in one place and sharing that with the public. You all amaze me as quilters.”

With tape and map in hand, Betsy Madsen arranged quilts for the show while Luanne Libbey handed out voting ballots. Kay Rhinehart worked with the raffle quilt which was pieced by Sue Britton, quilted by Larry Rhinehart and won by Nancy Winder.

Challenge and WWI theme quilters were invited to show their work in a history display coming this summer at the Lycoming County Museum. The exhibit will be held from mid June to mid August and supported by the museum’s WWI items and highlighted during programs on the “Great War” according to Carol Shetler, board member of the museum.

The WWI theme was a great success this year as the quilt show was well attended, a total of 750 people. Veterans were able to receive a discount off their admission and several male veterans visited the war room. Red Cross signature quilts from the Thomas Taber Museum were on display among 36 other quilts entered on the WWI theme by the guild members. Shetler said that one resident from Turbotville remarked, “There’s a lot of history in that room!”

Betty Neff, a professional quilter who sells “Featherweights”, a lightweight 11 lb. sewing machine made with all metal parts between 1933 and 1964 by Singer, exhibited an authentic WWI trunk and an antique quilt from that era. A new design made by Neff featured a yellow ribbon block with stars and rockets, and the pattern was available at the show. “This was a wonderful opportunity for the guild to have a former member whose career has expanded into the national platform of the quilting world,” Craddock said.

The winners, voted upon “people’s choice”, were announced at the March 22nd meeting. Maxine Zettlemoyer won first place in the large quilt category; Luanne Libbey won second place tied with Pat Coulter and Nancy Ryder won third for her Wedding Ring quilt.

In the medium size category, Susan Eldred won first, Sharon Miller won second and Joyce Enigk won third. In the small quilt division, Cindy Craddock won first, Dorothy Zimmerman won second and third.

Darryl Vermeire won first place in the hand-quilted division followed by Rhonda Freezer for second and Carol Shetler won third.

For miscellaneous category, Cindy Campbell placed first, Cindy Craddock placed second and Maxine Zettlemoyer won third.

For WWI theme Linda Becker received a ribbon for first place, Patti Winters got second and Deborah Smith placed third. Cassidy and Nancy Jacobs won the challenge division followed by Cindy Craddock and Carol Shetler.

Emily Shultz won the Bernina sewing machine that was given away by Hoover’s in Mifflinburg.