The Early Years
How we got started quilting
Donna first began quilting by taking a class offered by Deb Tucker. When Deb Tucker moved out of the area, Donna was asked to take over her beginning quilting class. For over 20 years Donna taught beginning quilting at the Chicken Coop in Mechanicsburg. Hand piecing, hand applique and hand quilting were all part of the 8 week program. She also worked at the Fabric Stand at the Silver Springs Flea Market until the market was closed and torn down to make way for Wegman's, Kohl's and Target.
Introduce a daughter to quilting
Debbie frequently would accompany her mother Donna to fabric stores and quilt shows. Instilling a love of textiles and handmade objects early on. In the mid 1980's Debbie and Donna were visiting the quilt shops in Bird-in-Hand, PA and a blue and white log cabin was on the wall. Debbie asked her mother to make that quilt and she would have 10 years to finish it. Donna took on the challenge and had the top completely done by the next weekend. She then hand quilted the entire quilt top. While she finished it well before the 10 years was up, she waited until then to put her signature on the back of the quilt. The quilt to the right, is that first collaboration.
and a Mother
Donna's mother, Dorothy Mills, was an avid crafter and hand-sewer. Once Donna started quilting she participated as well. She sewed this Trip Around the World wallhanging and Donna hand quilted it for her. It is one of the few pieces we have that they both worked on together.
Debbie's First Quilts
Debbie sewed the Blue Bars quilt (below) without any instruction, which is quite evident once you get close to the binding. She made it as a surprise for her mother.
The quilt on the right, is a Turn Me Over I'm Reversible quilt that Debbie took to college. She picked out the fabrics and her and Donna sewed it together. Donna put on the binding. Something she still continues to do, as we've seen the binding Debbie does.
Debbie's First Applique Quilt
