With fingers flying and conversations flowing, members of the Landis Homes Quilters complete an average of one quilt a month. Leading this work is Bonnie McClun, who has loved quilting since the 1970s when she joined a neighborhood quilting group in suburban Buffalo, NY, where she was a teacher.
Enriching
Lives, Together
“Although I loved the group, my job and raising children kept me away from the art for 25 years,” Bonnie shares. “After moving to Ephrata, PA, in 2004, I joined the Red Rose Quilters Guild. My obsession with fabric and quilting has led to some of the most special friendships I’ve ever had. As I continue to develop my skills, my goals are to create works of art that hug my family when I’m not there, make comfort quilts for the guild’s charity initiative, and make or donate several quilts for the Landis Homes Fellowship Days quilt auction.”
When asked what makes quilts so enduring, Bonnie notes, “Quilts were a ‘necessity’ in colonial times - there were no blankets. Quilts evolved from necessities to treasures grandmothers made for their loved ones. We still make quilts for family members to celebrate special times - new baby, wedding, graduation, new home, etc. The sentimental attachment continues. Many quilters now create amazing art quilts that fill galleries and adorn walls.”
But artforms, including quilting, are not static. Technology is changing the way quilting is done. Just as woodworking has changed over the years from hand tools to machines that refine the art of making things like bowls, cabinets, and cutting boards, quilting is changing and will continue to change. Hand quilting is not going away, but many new quilters are leaning into the direction technology is taking.
This September will be Bonnie’s fourth Fellowship Days since moving to Landis Homes. When asked how to describe it to people who have not come before, she says, “The quilts auctioned here are treasured works of art. The quilters at Landis Homes take great pride in the hand quilting that goes into each quilt. Hand-quilted quilts are becoming increasingly difficult to find. This auction is an opportunity to own a special treasure.”
This year’s auction will be held on Saturday, September 14, in the large tent in front of Landis Homes. There will be a number of quilts made by the Landis Homes Quilters. Bonnie has donated a pair of twin-sized, jewel-toned, batik Hunter Star quilts that are sure to make their new owners smile. Several members of the Red Rose Quilter’s Guild have donated quilts and quilt tops. A traditional double wedding ring quilt constructed by a Red Rose member using 1920’s reproduction print fabric and quilted by Landis Homes quilters is a delightful, antique-looking, modern quilt.
Bonnie concludes, “I don’t want to mention all the exciting quilts that will be available this year. You must come to the auction to see all the fabulous quilts we will have. Tip ...look for the tiger and panda!”
Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2024 • 5
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