COME VISIT US!

Welcome to The Quiltmaker's Shoppe website. Take a look around and check out all the fabric, notions and patterns we have to offer. My staff here are very busy continually making samples to tempt you. Stop by and let us help you find the perfect project.

Home: Opening Hours

WELCOME

QUILTER OF THE MONTH

Rhonda Koepke, Quilter of the Month!

Rhonda began her quilting journey awaiting the birth of her first grandchild. While shopping, her youngest daughter found a minky baby blanket. The price was significant enough to motivate Rhonda to make one! Rhonda remembers, “When I saw the price I told her I could sew that!.[Even though,]I hadn’t sewn since high school (1985)”. A few weeks later Rhonda bought a sewing machine and began making baby quilts.

Reminiscing about her early exposure to sewing Rhonda comments, “I remember sitting in my grandmother’s living room with a quilt stretched out on a quilt stand when I was pretty young. She taught me how to hand quilt…I actually repurposed the legs from that quilt stand and made a stand for my batting roll.”

Rhonda developed a passion for making charity quilts and tells her story best, “After I made my first baby quilts for my grandbaby, I realized how much I loved quilting… I then remembered a very special quilt that had been given to my daughter and an idea sprang to life. My oldest daughter entered hospice when she was 12. The local hospice organization went out into the community looking for a quilt suitable for a 12-year-old girl. Soon after, she [Megan] was presented with a beautiful purple and pink quilt. This quilt is very special to me” Rhonda’s passion soon turned into a non profit organization called, “Megan’s Mom Quilts” You can read about it in the adjacent document.

All but one of the quilts displayed in our window are Rhonda’s charity quilts. The focal quilt displayed was a kit from “The Whole Country Caboodle” featuring their “S’more Fun Outdoors” fabric line. Rhonda made this quilt for a nephew and claims, “It was a real confidence booster when I completed it”.

For her charity quilts, Rhonda uses 3-yard Quilt patterns by Fabric Cafe designed by Donna Robertson. Rhonda remarks that using these patterns make “...it easy for me to shop for fabric because I can buy 3 yards of coordinating prints (plus an extra ½ yard for a regular binding). Then I can pick a pattern…and I’m ready to go.”.

Rhonda loves The Whole Country Caboodle fabric lines by Leanne Anderson from Nashua Iowa. Rhonda met Leanne, “early on in my sewing journey. She has been a tremendous support to me and my foundation.” Rhonda loves bright colorful and whimsical fabrics. Her favorite ruler is the third hand binding tool and the binding tool ruler.

Stop by for our September Quilter of the Month Window Display, at The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe!

MEGAN'S MOM QUILTS

Megan’s Mom Quilts for Pediatric Hospice Patients, is a Non-Profit Organization created by Rhonda Koepke. The organization was founded as a result of a compassionate Hospice Organization that presented Megan–Rhonda’s 12 year old daughter–a beautiful purple and pink quilt. The quilt pictured above has been a keepsake for Rhonda for over 16 years. The gesture inspired Rhonda to make quilts specifically for pediatric hospice patients. Rhonda hopes the recipient's families find her quilts a comforting keepsake.

In Megan’s memory, Rhonda makes these charity quilts for most of the Hospice Organizations in Iowa. She also works with Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Rhonda hosts a Facebook Group called “Megan’s Mom’s Quilts'' where she showcases her inventory of children’s quilts. Hospice Organizations can choose a quilt suitable for the child they want to bless. On the back of every quilt Rhonda adds a tag, “Handmade with Love by Megan’s Mom”. She hopes the recipient's parents understand that the hands who thoughtfully and prayerfully crafted the quilt know first hand the journey they are traveling.

In 2022, Rhonda completed 36 quilts and so far this year she has 18 completed. Rhonda states, “My future aspirations are to network with other parents that have lost young children and offer a place for fellowship and sewing”. Rhonda finds sewing these quilts therapeutic. If you want to be a part of Megan’s Mom’s Quilts–call Rhonda at 319-231-9779. Rhonda also accepts fabric donations and gift cards to quilt shops.

Home: Products