Learn to quilt by hand at Volcano Art Center

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Quilt creator Roberta Muller will stitch up a storm with two quilting workshops from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. July 16 at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus.

Quilt creator Roberta Muller will stitch up a storm with two quilting workshops from 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. July 16 at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus.

What’s involved in hand quilting?

Lots of stitching, says Muller, who will demonstrate several stitches during the upcoming workshops.

A stab stitch drives the needle through the fabric from the right side, then pushes it back up through the material from the other side.

A rocking stitch uses a thimble. The quilter has one hand on top of the quilt, while the other hand is located beneath the piece to push the needle back up.

A third stitch is called “loading the needle” and involves making four or more stitches before pulling the needle through the cloth.

Muller will demonstrate how to use these basic stitches to help achieve a variety of wonderful hand-finished quilts. Once you get the hang of it, it’s really quite easy, she says.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Muller learned the art of Hawaiian quilting as a young girl from her grandmother, Therese Quinn. Muller began serious quilting in her 20s and hasn’t stopped since. She teaches her craft at Kilauea Kreations II and her studio at home, both in Hilo.

The fee for the workshop is $10 and covers the cost of the quilting kit. There is a limited amount of seats, so register early by calling the Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visiting www.volcanoartcenter.org.