Walk into the Hopewell Township branch of the Mercer County Library on the third Thursday of any month and you’ll find members of the Hopewell Valley Quilters conversing warmly and sharing lively stories about the artwork members share.
“These meetings are more of a show and tell, where we share our work and tell its story,” said Nancy Breland a member in the Thursday nights group and author of “Tricks With Chintz: Using Large Prints to Add New Magic to Traditional Quilt Blocks,” published by the American Quilter’s Society in 1994.
The group has been meeting for more than 40 years and currently hosts its members at the library at no cost. There are no fees, and membership is not required.
While classes are not conducted during the meetings, members help one another with projects, and all quilting skill levels are welcome.
Despite its local roots, the group draws members from across townships and states, reflecting a broader reach for their craft. The artwork sewn in the Hopewell Valley Quilters group travels around the United States, Breland said. The quilts have even traveled with national exhibits like the American Quilter’s Society, and been published in quilt books and magazines.
Quilting: Intricate, Personal Fabric Art
“This quilt was made with Vera Neumann’s vintage tablecloth and napkins I bought on Ebay,” explained Breland. “I used the snow dyeing technique, where I placed snow and the dye on the quilt and waited for the snow to melt filling the space with color.”
Quilt art can be made from linen, silk, and other materials, but cotton is the fabric seasoned quilters prefer. Each quilt reflects their personal narratives and experiences, hence the use of different sewing machines and dyeing techniques that contribute to the one-of-a-kind quilts they create.
During the quilting process, most members register their emotional journey and the story behind each project. Because the work is a reflection of their life experiences, members of the Hopewell Valley Quilters rarely sell their work.
“Some of my quilts are given to friends and family as a gift. This one, called ‘Olé,’ is going to friends of mine in the West Coast,” said Susan Bozarth-Smith.
Bozarth-Smith named this quilt ‘Olé’ because it made her happy to bring the project to life. She noted how she felt, the quilting process, and completion details on the back, which emphasizes the uniqueness of each of her quilts.
The members’ quilt work has been donated to schools, fire departments and other non-profit organizations.
Beyond personal projects, the group engages in philanthropic efforts. Marsha Watro’s quilts, for example, support children in crisis through donations to the Lower Makefield Township Police Department in Bucks County, PA, as part of the Crayon Quilts – Children Helping Children Program.
Each September, Hopewell Valley Quilters members challenge each other to create a quilt based on a theme. The theme is chosen by the group and can be as simple as a shape or as complex as a time in history, words or phrases, and more.
The group puts on a quilt show each May as part of Pennington Day. The show is informal and community-based, but is open to the public. A vote determines the Viewers Choice Award with a prize for the winning quilter.
Interested quilters can join either the daytime group, which meets every Thursday except the first of the month from 10am to 2pm, or the evening group, convening on the third Thursday of each month.
For more information on joining or participating in the Hopewell Valley Quilters, contact Breland at [email protected].
