Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a quilt? What makes a hand made quilt different than other options that can be purchased? Well, every summer 4-H students get the opportunity to discover and explore the craft of quilting at 4-H Quilt Camp. Like all 4-H events, education is at the center of the fun students have. Students are sent fabric samples prior to the camp, to assist them in making their own fabric selections for their quilts. This year, students completed a double slice layer cake quilt for themselves and worked on a quilt of valor service project. Using the sewing machines, getting a perfect quarter inch seam, piecing blocks, adding borders, sandwiching the quilt, quilting on a sewing machine, and binding the quilt were skills covered in the weeklong camp in Greeneville, TN at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center. In attendance were 16 4-H students from across East TN, who completed their quilts while also enjoying swimming, painting, ropes course, smores, and more!

Quilt batting was provided by the Eastern Region FCE clubs to keep costs down for participants. Union County participants Gracie Tindell and Jaelyn Cummings completed gorgeous quilts and have plans to enter them into the TN Valley Fair and Union County Heritage Festival to encourage other young adults that they can also learn to quilt. Thank you to Connie Heiskell, Union County resident, for volunteering to help with the camp this year. Even though quilt camp is a summer event, there are opportunities for students to learn sewing skills each monthly with Union County 4-H.

Are you interested in learning to quilt? Alyshia Victoria, UT Extension Union County FCS agent, is also holding a Quilting Basics Class for adults beginning in August. Participants may register for Tuesday night sessions or Wednesday morning sessions. During the 5 session series, participants will learn all the skills necessary and complete a quilted project for $20. For more information, call 865-992-8038 or email avictoria@utk.edu.