Quarters for Quilts at IMANI Workshop

Abigail and I started teaching the women at Imani to quilt on the 25th of July.   The women in the workshop had selected three women that they felt should learn the technique.  (Democracy at work!).  We worked with Beatrice, Emily, and Penny.  Abigail and I had bought fabric in Nairobi for the project before arriving in Eldoret.  We were unsure if we would be able to find fabric locally.   Then the week before we started teaching the technique, we went shopping in Eldoret with Antonia for a sewing machine with a blanket stitch.  Antonia is in charge of purchasing for the workshop in Eldoret.   This was quite the experience, but I don't have the time.

We started by showing the quilts that Lynn had made as samples.   Then we taught them to use a rotary cutter and cut 3 1/2 inch squares until we were up to our eyebrows in squares!  By the end of the week, they had pieced (or is it peaced) two baby quilts together and then asked to be creative and pieced the quilts in a different pattern.

Lynn, the most awesome quilt teacher ever, arrived the next Monday in Eldoret.   We rotary cut her a little slack and only went to Imani for her to meet the ladies.   Did not want to overwhelm her because she was dealing with jet lag!

The next day, Lynn hit the ground running and taught them applique techniques.   They actually clapped when the monkey went on the patchwork.   Lynn finished out the week teaching the actual quilting and binding of the quilt.  The next week was spent learning the graceful giraffe quilt.   (I am trying to attach pictures).  Emily, Penny, and Beatrice were quick to learn and enthusiatic about their new skills.   Look for quilts and pillows at Global Gifts in Indianapolis soon!

Thank you to everyone who made this possible!   We would like to venture there again with more quilt instructors to do a mini workshop!    

Lea Anne