A Stitch in Time II By The Susanna Circle Quilters Opens At MoonTree Gallery
DONALDSON — In the two years since they exhibited their fabric works of art at MoonTree Gallery, the Susanna Circle Quilters have been busy creating an entire new collection, A Stitch in Time II. See these fantastic new fabric art works Saturday, July 23, 2016, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. EDT at the opening reception with the quilt artists. The ladies will be on hand to greet attendees and tell everyone the stories behind the quilts. In addition, piano music by Cliff Berger will lend a festive ambience during the opening reception.
The Susanna Circle Quilters were launched 17 years ago when one of the members of Wesley United Methodist Church offered a workshop for anyone in the church wanting to learn basic quilting techniques. The class was taught by Phyllis Pearson, an avid quilter and member of the church. That introductory course lasted six weeks and covered the steps of making a quilt from beginning to end. Fourteen ladies came together to learn how to choose a pattern and fabric, cutting and sewing techniques, how to hand quilt, and how to bind and label a quilt. After that beginning course was finished, the new quilters sadly bid farewell to Phyllis as she moved to Corvallis, Oregon to be closer to family. However, the group had formed community, and they decided to continue meeting every week to sew.
Elaine Averill assumed leadership of the Susanna Circle Quilters group. Then 13 years ago, after retiring from Culver Elementary School, Judy Patton joined Elaine as co-leader. The group continues to meet to this day on Thursday mornings to sew on various projects. Through the years, this active group has had several successful quilt shows, besides their very popular 2014 show at Moontree Gallery. Some other exhibit venues have been the Wesley United Methodist Church during Culver’s Lakefest weekend and the Culver Public Library. They’ve shared their time and talents in other ways, too, making Christmas lap robes for the residents of Miller’s Merry Manor in Culver, and donating quilts to local charities and projects, pillow cases and wheelchair bags to Riley Hospital, among other projects. Every new baby born into the Wesley Church family is given a quilt made by the Susanna Quilters.
In case you’re wondering how the group got its name, it was to honor Susanna Wesley, the mother of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist denomination. Susanna Wesley was not a quilter as she had nineteen children and probably didn’t have a moment to spare in creative endeavors. The group just wanted to honor Susanna, when they chose their name.
The Susanna Circle’s A Stitch in Time II will be on display at MoonTree Gallery from July 23 through August 20, 2016. MoonTree Gallery is open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT. It is also open Saturdays from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. Call MoonTree Studios at (574) 935-1712 for group tour arrangements, or for an appointment at times other than these. Closing day for A Stitch in Time II Being will be Saturday, August 20, 2016.