Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild
2005 Mary Conkel Award
Pat Tschantz
As a child of the depression on farm and the eldest of four children, sewing was a necessary skill.� I made everything from dishtowels to underwear, dresses, coats, etc. � As my own children came along--all four of them--I made their clothing as well as my own. My father was in the skating business and through this I began sewing for profit making costumes for shows and competitions.� � While doing this I became a single parent and a college student with teaching in my future.� As teaching and being a parent is pretty much full time or more, my sewing became again for the family but this time for my children and grandchildren.� I have made my share of wedding gowns, baptismal outfits, first communion finery, and doll clothes. � After a rather intense career as consultant and teacher of the learning disabled, came retirement and the worst days of my life.� I became very depressed and felt like nothing mattered much of the time.� I had begun to make each grandchild a quilt for first communion.� �Talking to my oldest daughter who was a Houston Guild member, she suggested� I join a local guild to get out with people.�
The next thing I knew I was a guild member and I had a new obsession.� I started buying fabric!!!!!! Here was a very new way to share--donation quilts.� Since I joined AAQG, I have made over 100 quilts, at least two-thirds for donation to the guild, churches, and charities such as the Susan B. Coleman Center. � I am also a member of a small group, the Stitchin' B's, who's company�I really treasure.� We share skills, jokes, and� personal concerns. Though I am a senior member of this group, they help keep me thinking young. � Thanks AAQG for being there when I needed you, for giving me the opportunity to turn a hobby into a means of helping others, for being a place to learn and feel comfortable.
Photo (from left to right) Mary Conkel Award-Winner Pat Tschantz with Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild President Sherie Johnson