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Feature Story : Gramma Fannie's
Gramma Fannie’s legacy lives on through quilt barn By Dave Mast Gramma Fannie loved to quilt. Hours upon hours, day after day she would sit and appliqué, baste and block fabrics, creating astounding works of art which come from perfecting techniques through years of tender loving precision and care. Jo Ann Hershberger, owner of Gramma Fannie’s Quilt Barn, located at Schrock’s Amish Farm Berlin, Ohio, wanted to honor her grandmother’s dedication and lifelong love of quilting, so she named the store in memory of her grandmother — Gramma Fannie. Today, Gramma Fannie would be more than thrilled to witness the way the store has blossomed since it opened in 1991. She would have a grand time perusing through the myriad of vivid, quality materials on hand. She would love to inspect the hundreds of quilts hanging from every corner and counter of the store, and to look through the nearly endless patterns. Gramma Fannie's Quilt Barn offers locally hand-stitched quilts and wall hangings, books, kits and anything else associated with quilting. “When we first opened, I knew very little about quilting,” said Hershberger. “I just knew that I wanted to honor Gramma Fannie in some way, and this was ideal. I knew what I liked, but I didn’t know what quilters wanted.” That has changed over the past 17 years. Hershberger credits the top-notch sales people who supply her, along with manager Lydiann Miller and the rest of the staff with providing the necessary leadership and knowledge to create a quilter’s haven. Over the years Hershberger has learned a great deal, and now she only seeks to include quilt shop fabrics designed specifically for quilting, from the very best suppliers. “Batiks, Aunt Gracie’s... we only see the highest quality, unique fabrics out there in the market today,” said Hershberger. “We’ve really kept up with the latest trends, and carry a huge assortment of fabrics and accessories.” The current staff has been put together with specific skills in mind, so they can offer customers the necessary knowledge on whatever questions they might have. They also have specific jobs to do when it comes to creating quilts for display and sale at the shop. “We make a lot of our own quilts, and we try to keep as many unique and different styles of quilts in the shop as possible,” said Miller. “By doing that we can match people’s decor, or we can custom create something if someone brings in ideas.” Miller’s daughter Rosie does all of the piecing; Ada Raber marks the quilts, does piece work and specializes in the very popular Star Spin patterns; Maureen Booth is the queen of table runners and centerpieces. “They have made a wonderful team,” Hershberger said of the four. “There isn’t anything in here that they can’t tell you about. They’ve all got their own niche... their own specialty... and they have all been instrumental in many of the quilts throughout the store.” The majority of the quilts on display are created by the group. There are also a number of quilts on consignment, which means a huge variety to choose from in every color and style imaginable. Each year they are involved with two major shows: The Quilt Shop Hop, and the upcoming Amish Country Quilt Show, which will take place from March 26-29. The show, which takes place at Berlin Christian Fellowship Church and Troyer’s Restaurant just west of Berlin at the corner of SR 39 and CR 201, has quickly become a favorite among quilters. There patrons will find hundreds of vendors, more than 200 quilts on display, a queen size Scrappy Fan Quilt will be raffled off to benefit breast cancer research, a quilting bee, demonstrations from quilting guilds, with each day featuring something special along with the fabulous daily schedule. March 26 will feature a Scrap Happy Sale — a kind of quilter’s garage sale — in which people may rent tables for $10 to sell used books, fabrics, patterns and other quilting novelties. Demo Derby will highlight Mar. 27 from 1-4 p.m., in which up to 10 shop owners will set up tables and perform demonstrations on various quilting aspects, from rotary cutting to how to use the new rulers. On March 28 and 29, author Jodi Barrows will be at Helping Hands Quilt Shop for a workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Barrows revolutionized the quilting world with Square in a Square®, a new technique for rotary cutting and strip piecing that allows quilters to achieve perfect points with improved accuracy, simplicity of construction, and speed. Also on March 28, author and designer Karen Phillips-Shwallon will be on hand for a Victorian Tea. “It’s going to be a fantastic show,” said Hershberger. “There really will be something for everyone who enjoys quilting.” Gramma Fannie's Quilt Barn is part of Schrock’s Amish Farm, located at 4363 SR 39, Berlin, Ohio. You can contact them at 330-893-3243. For more information about Gramma Fannie's click here. |
Address: 4363 SR 39 Millersburg, OH 44654 330-893-3243 Visit Us: M-Sat 10-5 Email Us: amishfarm@tusco.net Visit Our Website: www.realamishexperiences.com
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