Quilt Camp

Join a group as passionate about quilting as they are about community.

A community of quilters awaits at Camp Tecumseh. Serving quilters of all ages, Quilt Camp provides a space to hone your quilting skills, and work on your quilting projects. Held six times a year at the Tecumseh Leadership Center, Quilt Camp is more than just a project space, it’s an active, supportive, and inspiring community composed of people who regularly pray for each other, support each other, and build each other up.









Quilting

Your next project is waiting

Whether you’ve been quilting for decades, or just bought your first sewing machine, Quilt Camp is the perfect place to hone your skills, learn new techniques from fellow quilters, challenge yourself with a new pattern, or just finish that project that’s been sitting for too long in your craft room.

Hone Your Skills

There’s no better place to grow as a quilter than at Quilt Camp. With ample time to experiment, dozens of experienced quilters happy to answer questions, and a shop full of supplies, you have every reason to stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone. If you’re new to sewing, don’t worry. Lots of campers learned to quilt for the first time at Quilt Camp.

Try new things

With occasional workshops led by experienced instructors for every level of sewer, recommended patterns that reflect camp’s theme, and impromptu lessons led by quilt campers, there’s always something new to try.

The Joy of Accomplishment

Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies finishing a project. On the last day of Quilt Camp, take part in “Show and Tell” where you have the opportunity to share your finished project with all of Quilt Camp.

Community

A vibrant community built on trust, faith, and encouragement

Quilt Camp is so much more than a place to make a quilt. With dozens of quilters attending year after year, Quilt Camp has become a family. It’s a place to connect with friends new and old. It’s a place to chat about kids, grandkids, vacation plans, struggles, doubts, joys, and accomplishments with people who support you, encourage you, and inspire you.

From the layout of the sewing rooms, to the setup of the dining hall and sleeping quarters, Quilt Camp is intentionally designed to foster authentic community.

 

Shared Spaces

Strike up a conversation with your neighbor as you work on your project. Meet a new friend over breakfast pastries. Ask about the book somebody is reading before bed. Intentionally designed spaces like our circular tables, bunk-style sleeping arrangements, and communal sewing rooms help foster relationships through proximity.

Shared Activities

While quilting takes up most of the schedule, activities like the Quilt Camp book club, nature hikes, and games provide lots of opportunities to meet new people. Activities like zip lining and morning chapels may be available depending on the time of year.

 

Facilities

Quilt in Comfort at the Tecumseh Leadership Center

Sewing Rooms

Quilters sew in one of four spacious conference rooms in the basement of the Leadership Center. Upon arrival, each quilter is assigned table space and a chair. Each room features one or two extra tables for cutting and one or two irons and ironing boards in addition to plentiful electrical outlets.

Meals

Meals are served buffet style in the TLC dining room and are included in the price of registration. For Early Bird Campers, we do offer a continental breakfast. We offer a number of different meal choices (salad bar, vegetarian option, and a meat option). Please let us know if you have a specific dietary need.

Sleeping Facilities

Every quilter is assigned a bunk in one of eight rooms. Each room features ten bunks with a comfortable spring mattress. Please bring a pillow, bed linens, blankets, or a sleeping bag. Mattresses are twin extra-long.  Indoor restrooms are located at the end of each wing, and feature toilets, sinks, and showers with dressing areas for privacy. There is a limited number of bottom bunks. Please mark your request for a bottom bunk on your registration form. These are usually given on a first to register, first serve basis.

Perks

Snacks, soda, water, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, and cappuccino are available to guests 24 hours a day. Many quilters bring a travel mug to fill and take downstairs to their sewing room. In addition, the TLC features high-speed wireless internet, a beautiful view of the lake, and plenty of spots to sit outside and relax.

Explore the Leadership Center

 

Quilt Shop

Stop by the shop

Forget something at home? Have some extra time? Whether you need fabric, new patterns, instruction books, or other accessories, you can pick them up at the Quilt Shop located in the lobby of the Leadership Center. Available at every Quilt Camp, each shop is hosted by a quilt store from the surrounding area. Past shop sponsors have included Nancy J’s, Crimson Tate, and more.

 

Dates, Prices, Themes

Make your Quilt Camp plan

Quilt Camps are held a number of times throughout the year. Each Quilt Camp features a theme with projects and activities that complement the camp theme. Campers are welcome to sew projects selected as part of the camp theme or bring a project from home. Patient, knowledgeable instructors are available throughout the camp session to provide tips and assistance in sewing camp-specific projects. Campers bring their own sewing machines, quilting tools, and fabric.

Registration is now online. Please click Register next to the corresponding dates below.

2024 Quilt Camp Dates

ThemeDatesRegistration DateEarly Bird DayCostRegistration Opens
Cabin Fever Quilt CampJanuary 19-21

Registration Opens December 18, 2023Early bird on Thursday, January 18: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday.$220Registration Closed
Spring Fling Quilt CampMarch 15-17

Registration Opens February 12Early bird on Thursday, March 14: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday.$220Registration closed
UFO "UnFinished Objects" Quilt CampJuly 5-7

Registration Opens June 3Early bird on Thursday, July 4: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday.$220Registration opens June 3
Harvest Days Quilt CampOctober 11-13

Registration Opens September 9Early bird on October 10: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday.$220Registration closed
Mother, Daughter, Friend CampDecember 6-8

Registration Opens November 4Early bird on December 5: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday.$220Registration closed

Upcoming Camp:

IF QUILTS COULD TALK
MARCH 15 – 17, 2024

Happy Spring! Just a few weeks ago, we were at the January – Where the Stars Shine Bright –  camp and had a great time sharing the projects, laughter, and the snowy, chilly view as we stitched. We’re excited to share the warmer weather and some fun vocabulary with you in March. 

You have probably heard the saying, “What happens at Quilt Camp, stays at Quilt Camp.” Well, if quilts could talk, what stories would they tell? Here is your opportunity to stitch your story or someone else’s. We invite you to quilt with your own words as you celebrate all that is special or important to you, your family, a neighbor, best friend, co-worker, a child…the list goes on. Each and every quilt you make is more than a quilt. It’s also a story, and we are blessed to be able to express ourselves with fabric, needles, and thread. There is always a story behind our quilts and it’s wonderful to be able to stitch our love, thoughts, prayers, and wishes into them for the recipient.

We are eager to share some creative project ideas with you at camp. Take a look at them, and if you are interested, Nancy J would be happy to order them for you and bring the order to camp. 

Camp will begin Friday morning and we will finish with Show and Tell on Sunday right before lunch. If you would like to arrive on Thursday at noon, as an early bird camper, please note that on your registration form. We will have a pizza party that night and breakfast Friday morning. We look forward to joining you for three fun-filled “Quilt Your Story” days in March. 

  1. MINI ALPHABET QUILT, Primitive Gatherings. 42 1/2” x 42 1/2”. $10.00

Moda recently had a holiday quilt-a-long with a festive vocabulary list and a few filler blocks called Letters to Santa. They used this mini alphabet quilt pattern to make all the letters.

You can write your own story with these letters by choosing the perfect words as you think about the person you are making the quilt for. If you go to the Moda Letters to Santa web site, you will find lots of creative projects that were inspired by the quilt- a- long.  I loved the cute little pillow that spelled CHEER for a cheerleader, the Halloween word quilt, and the set of three personalized family quilts.

  1. SPELLING BEE, Lori Holt. $34.95   A terrific, inspirational resource that has 100 letters, 10 numbers, 20 punctuation marks and picture blocks in two sizes- 6” and 12”, plus 18 quilt projects. You will be amazed at how much you can say with these letters and pictures! This book is a favorite.
  2. LOVE LETTERS FOR BETH, Pink Parakeet Designs. $10.00. Fat eighth friendly, 3 sizes. You can add signatures or notes for a keepsake quilt.
  3. SPELL IT WITH MODA DRAWSTRING BAG. A FREE pattern. Follow the directions to turn your favorite letter into a great drawstring bag, perfect for gifting. 1/2 yard for exterior, 1/2 yard for a letter and lining, 2 yards twill tape or ribbon, 18” x 34” batting if quilting.

We are excited that Nancy J Fabrics will be back with us at camp, and Nancy will be happy to bring you any of these books and patterns. 260-563-3505. Her web site is www.colorsgonewild.com. When placing the order at Nancy J’s, mark it for ‘pick up in store’ when you check out

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Quilt Camp


Do I need quilting experience to come to Quilt Camp?

No. Quilt Camp is a great place to learn. In fact, that’s how a number of quilt campers learned to quilt. However, you will need to provide your own sewing supplies.


What equipment do I need to bring?

You’ll need to bring your own sewing machine and sewing supplies, including a sewing machine, fabric, thread, scissors, rulers, needles, etc.  There are irons and ironing boards available in every room. We have a vendor onsite in case you forgot something at home. The vendor usually has a wide variety of fabrics, patterns, and accessories. We also “hire” an instructor for each Camp to help with projects offered for each themed Quilt Camp. You are welcome to bring your own projects or take part in the projects offered.


I don’t have a sewing machine. Can I borrow or rent one from Camp?

Unfortunately, we do not have machines we can rent out.


Can I bring my own chair?

Yes. While Camp does provide a chair, many quilters prefer their own. You may also bring an extra cushion for your sewing chair.


Can I bring my own food?

Yes, with some restrictions. Due to health department codes, we are not able to offer the use of our refrigerators to our guests. However, you are welcome to bring your own food that does not require refrigeration. However, please make sure that it is in an airtight container as to not draw insects. Please keep the food with your luggage in your room.


Will I be sharing a room with others?

Yes. Each of our rooms sleeps up to ten people. Indoor restrooms are located at the end of each wing. Each restroom has 4-5 stools, sinks, and showers with individual dressing areas for privacy.


My sewing equipment is really heavy. Can I get assistance moving my equipment?

Yes. Members of the Leadership Center staff will be able to assist you with your belongings when you arrive and when you depart.


Can I reserve a bottom bunk?

There is a limited number of bottom bunks. Please mark your request for a bottom bunk on your registration form. These are usually given on a first to register, first serve basis.