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.
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.
2023 Quilt Camp Dates
| Theme | Dates | Registration Date | Early Bird Day | Cost | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother, Daughter, Friend Camp | December 1-3 | Registration Opens October 30 | Early bird on December 1: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $65 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $210 | Registration Closed |
2024 Quilt Camp Dates
| Theme | Dates | Registration Date | Early Bird Day | Cost | Registration Opens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin Fever Quilt Camp | January 19-21 | Registration Opens December 18, 2023 | Early bird on Thursday, January 18: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $220 | Registration coming in December |
| Spring Fling Quilt Camp | March 15-17 | Registration Opens February 12 | Early bird on Thursday, March 14: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $220 | Registration closed |
| UFO "UnFinished Objects" Quilt Camp | July 5-7 | Registration Opens June 3 | Early bird on Thursday, July 4: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $220 | Registration closed |
| Harvest Days Quilt Camp | October 11-13 | Registration Opens September 9 | Early bird on October 10: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $220 | Registration closed |
| Mother, Daughter, Friend Camp | December 6-8 | Registration Opens November 4 | Early bird on December 5: Early birds come on Thursday for an additional $68 which includes breakfast and lunch on Friday. | $220 | Registration closed |
Upcoming Camp:
REINDEER GAMES
MOTHER DAUGHTER FRIEND QUILT CAMP
DECEMBER 1-3, 2023
We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish You A Merry Christmas. We Wish You A Merry Christmas, And A Happy New Year
Joy to the World! Here is your invitation to come celebrate this joyous season with your family and friends at Mother Daughter Friend Quilt Camp. We can’t wait to share the weekend and some fun patterns and projects with you. Oh, what fun it is to play with Christmas fabrics all day! Me and My Sister Designs has created a playful, whimsical collection of REINDEER GAMES fabric that’s perfect for any project you have planned; cheerful, bright, happy, red and green dots, stripes, ribbon candy and leaping reindeer. Give Nancy J a call (260-563-3505) if you want her to save a bundle for you!
Pretty soon your home will start to look a lot like Christmas with twinkling lights, a manger scene, mistletoe, stockings hung by the chimney with care, jars of candy canes, and piles of Christmas cards from your family and friends. We are excited to listen to our favorite Christmas carols and bake some special holiday treats. It’s time to let the holiday festivities begin, and we hope that includes your annual trip to Camp Tecumseh with a few of the very special people in your life, daughters, granddaughters, moms, aunts, cousins, and friends. Our hope for you this blessed season is that a bundle of wishes would come true for joy, peace, hope, love, precious family time and beautiful holiday quilts!
Over the river and through the woods to Camp Tecumseh you will go… maybe with a plate of your favorite homemade Christmas cookies on your lap. You are welcome to arrive anytime on Friday, December 1st, to check in. Early birds may begin to arrive any time after 12 pm on Thursday, November 30th. There will be breakfast and lunch for early bird campers on Friday. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm Friday evening for all campers which will be followed by the “official” welcome and introductions. Nancy J will have her beautiful shop set up in the lobby with books, patterns, fabric and quilt supplies for round-the-clock shopping fun. A hearty helping of Camp Tecumseh holiday cheer is waiting for you at camp. Can’t wait to see you!
The Hot Chocolate Club, for girls ages 8 or 3rd grade and older, will be meeting once again during December Quilt Camp. Hooray for hot chocolate, games, Christmas crafts, movie night, and the amazing Quilt Camp Race. You might want to order the Carolina Blue, Hot Chocolate club t-shirt when you register.
We are excited to share a few great patterns with you, that you might want to make at this camp!
REINDEER GAMES
Special Delivery! Cheryl from Pink Parakeet Designs has created the cutest REINDEER GAMES pattern for this camp, that includes a runner, wall hanging and quilt. Nancy J can help you out with a kit, that will be ready and waiting for you at camp.
Runner kit $ 37.00 (Pattern not included with Kit)
Wall Hanging kit $ 43.00 (Pattern not included with Kit)
ADD IT UP, Purple Pineapple Studio.
Grab two of your favorite Christmas fabrics and you are on your way to making a quick, easy, fun and festive holiday quilt! 60” x 72”
Pattern $3.00
Kit $ 56.00 (Pattern not included with Kit)
POCKET LONG STOCKING, Vanilla House Designs.
$10.00 Here is a holiday project that will be treasured for years to come. Deck the Halls with this adorable, unique, long stocking (27”) that has three outside pockets for special treasures.
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.
