Lorrie Petersen - Quilting with the Hopi's - Wonderful Story Written by Lorrie

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"I  thought I'd share with you about my first wonderful four days with the Hopi Indians on their land in Northern Arizona, teaching a quilting class of 10 women.  I'd developed a friendship with them as a result of our club, Red Rock Quilters, collecting and donating fabric and equipment for their use, and I volunteered to help out.  This is the fifth year of the Hopi Summer Arts School, Hupitutukaiki, which teaches traditional arts, etc., and I taught this class with two Hopi women who have become wonderful friends."
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"In the Hopi tradition, when a baby is 20 days old, they hold a naming ceremony, and each guest brings a baby quilt.  Many women purchase panels and tie them, not knowing what else to do."

 

"More than half of our class had never sat in front of a sewing machine, and knew nothing at all about how to make a quilt.  They ranged in age - two young women in their early 20's, some middle-aged, and several well into retirement age."

"Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of quilters in Sedona and Cottonwood, each woman had a sewing machine to use, fabric to choose from, and we had cutting mats, rulers, rotary cutters and irons to keep everyone busy.  All of the students, as well as Ella and her sister Lorna who taught with me, are truly delightful women, warm and friendly, with great senses of humor.  They listened closely and worked very carefully, and at the end of our first four evenings (5:30 to 9:30) it was heartwarming to see how proud they were of what they were accomplishing"

"One evening one of the women told me she watched the clock all afternoon at work - she just couldn't wait to get to class!"

"The completely inexperienced sewers are making a quilt of alternating four patches and fabric squares, while a few who are more daring or have sewn before, are making more complicated patterns."  Some have finished their quilt tops:

"Next week we'll be machine quilting or tying, adding the binding, etc.  If we have time, we'll introduce a second, fun project, perhaps a flip and stitch table topper, or simple bag."
 

"During the day Ella and Don Humetewa, with whom I'm staying, have been showing me around and sharing about the traditions and beliefs of the Hopi, such as dry farming corn, as they've done for decades:"

 

"Each evening as we drive to class, we pass the village of Oraibi, on Third Mesa, which is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in America.  Such history!"

 

"One morning the director of the school took me along to some of the other classes.  I was stunned at the level of accomplishment from students who had never done these before.  We visited a class weaving ceremonial belts, where Mary, one of our quilting students, is hard at work:"
 


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"and another where two boys were carving Kachinas:"

"It's such a privilege and pleasure for me to spend this time among the Hopis, making friendships and learning, and I look forward to sharing more with you after next week."  






Lorrie Peterson is a member of the Verde Valley Spinners and Weavers and they meet in Sedona at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 100 Arroyo Pinon Drive on the 3rd Thursday of each month excluding July and August.

I will check to see if Lorrie will speak to the guild about this exciting trip.











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