The idea for a quilt representing biblical women germinated in 2000 when a dozen fellow female employees of Mennonite Mission Network in Elkhart, Indiana, began a book study of Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda's Women of the Bible. Carol Honderich found a way to meld two passions: her love for God and her love for quilting.
The year-long study looked at 52 women of from both the Old and New Testaments. Each week, Carol researched traditional quilt patterns for connections to the featured woman. With no design boundaries, each block became a creative, spiritual experience.
By 2004, the quilt was finished — complete with an appliquèd grapevine border and hand quilting — but not the growth of a seed. In spring 2005, this age-old art form took a modern twist when the first Internet Bible study for the Women of the Bible quilt project began. Each week a new lesson is posted. Participants are invited to piece a corresponding quilt block and to share their thoughts and insights in the process.
"I've learned lessons from each of these ancient women whose stories I've studied and stitched. I'm each of these women in some way," says Carol.
To read more about Carol and the Women of the Bible quilt project visit the following links:
Mennonite Mission Network News
Real Women Quilt - Featured Quilter
