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Hi, I'm Delphine and this is my story.

It all began with the purchase of an antique quilt and the subsequent gift of 3 boxes of antique fabrics, patterns and blocks. I decided to learn how to make my own quilts and use the fabric (primarily from the 20’s and 30’s). I have always been a sewer and needleworker so quilting seemed like another good skill to acquire. My first quilt class was taken in 1979 through the Einderlei Shop in Chassel, MI. Twenty four years later I’m still quilting but I have yet to put those fabric scraps into a quilt.

I enjoy the process as much, if not more than the finished product and have 113 finished quilts of varying sizes (28 bed-sized) to my credit. The majority of them are no longer mine though because they were made as gifts, charitable projects or for sale/commission.

Quilts from the mid to late 1800’s are my inspiration because of the fabrics and patterns used. I love patterns with lots of pieces, esp. ones with points! While I enjoy hand piecing and hand quilting, I primarily machine piece my tops and find I’m machine quilting the majority of my latest projects.

I have displayed a quilt at Paduach as well as had it published in the premier issue of Quilting USA. My quilts have garnered Best Workmanship and Best of Show awards but my main reason for making quilts is the process and having the finished project.

Delphine's Classes

Full Day classes can be divided into 2 Half Day classes, if desired.

1. Diamonds can be a girl’s best friend!

This Full Day (6 hour) class uses strip piecing to create a 22” Lone Star of 5 fabrics without cutting diamonds. This small size allows the student to be confident with the technique before tackling a bed size quilt. Border suggestions and instructions are given in class. The majority of students have 90% of their star finished by the end of class time! Students need to do some work before class time using instructions included with the supply list.

2. Cut no Squares!

This Full Day class creates a 29” Sunshine and Shadow quilt top using a strip piecing technique. The strips used are 2” wide from 10 different fabrics. This class sees the majority of students taking home a finished project. Students need to cut their strips before class time using instructions included with the supply list.

3. Taking the Mystique out of the Double Wedding Ring!

This intermediate level, Full Day class incorporates paper piecing with innovative machine work to create a 28” top made of 4 Rings. Additional papers are available for purchase by those wanting to make a larger quilt after classtime. In order to complete this project during class time students will be doing a little homework prior to class. There is a $6.00 fee per student for the paper piecing patterns and templates.

4. Stars and Stripes for Quilters!

An American Flag, 33” by 60 1/2” with all 50 stars is started in the class. It is a Half Day (3 hour) class. The stars are paper-pieced using engineering grade paper. Because of the time it takes to piece all the stars, the class gives instruction on making the stars and reviews all the steps needed to make the entire quilt. A pattern fee of $10.00 would be charged to all students. If offered as a Full Day class I would teach machine quilting of the patriotic sayings covering my flag.

5. Learn to Paper Piece.

This Half Day class covers the basics of paper piecing using simple to complex designs. Students need a sewing machine and scraps of fabric to make the different blocks which can be used as desired after the class. I supply all the paper piecing patterns at no extra charge.

6. Finishing Your Quilt!

This 3 hour (Halfl Day) class focuses on finishing the edges of quilts, no matter the size or shape. Most of the work is hands on while some is done by demostration, only. I cover mitered corners, invisible endings, bias vs. straight grain, curves, etc.

7. Sarah’s Heart - A special log cabin block

When a friend of mine was diagnoised with breast cancer I joined with local quilters to make her a quilt of hope. My husband and I designed a heart shaped 4 section log cabin block that is paper pieced. In class the students would learn to make this 10” block and options for putting the blocks into a quilt. Papers for 12 blocks would be provided for a class supply fee of $6.00. I’m glad to report that Sarah is doing well. This class lasts a Half Day.

8. A Trunk Show

Making and collecting quilts for 20+ years provides me with many quilts to share with others. My self-made quilts range from miniature Amish quilts to a queen sized Pineapple quilt with 4770 pieces of over 200 different prints. My 18 year old Sampler has won numerous awards including Best Workmanship at quilt shows. It was also featured in the premier issue of Quilting USA. Four of my quilts were made during block exchanges and/or Round Robins with local quilting friends. My oldest quilt is an Underground Railroad/Jacob’s Ladder from the mid 1860’s. A sample from the 1940’s is machine quilted and was purchased from the maker. The cost for a Trunk Show is $100.00 and lasts 1 1/2- 2hours.

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