Sat, May 11
|Bethany Wesleyan Church
Quilts by Shelba Scheffner
Time & Location
May 11, 2024, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bethany Wesleyan Church, 457 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, PA 18071, USA
About the event
Shelba has always found joy in sewing and crafting, with fond memories of learning knitting from her Aunt Kathryn as a child. She treasures the plastic sewing case her aunt gave her and wishes she still had it. As a teenager, she delved into hand quilting, inspired by her grandmother Eva Haydt’s skillful quilting for her many grandchildren. Recognizing quilting as both practical and creative, Shelba asked her grandmother to teach her, starting with basic cardboard template squares and triangles, and her first pattern was Swallows Nest.
Over the years, Shelba has developed a love for piecing and applique, particularly enjoying Judy Niemeyer’s paper piecing method. She’s attended courses with Judy in Arizona and Wisconsin, appreciating the constant learning opportunities in quilting. The evolution from scissors and cardboard to modern quilting equipment fascinates her, acknowledging how far the craft has come.
Every quilt holds a unique story for Shelba, from her first Log Cabin wall hanging made on her Singer Touch and Sew machine to the present. Her passion for quilting remains undimmed, now supported by two dedicated sewing rooms crafted by her son Justin. While she mostly quilts solo, she values the camaraderie of quilt days with friends at church and retreats like Sewing by the Sea in Ocean City, Md.
Her husband Tom’s unwavering support and her children’s pride add to Shelba’s blessings. Beyond quilting, music is another cherished passion as she has been a church musician for over five decades, finding fulfillment in playing keyboard for the Contemporary Christian Praise Band. Shelba is grateful for her strong hands and fingers, enabling her to continue enjoying both music and quilting.