I grew up in a Mennonite home and Mom going to sewing circle group at church. There were some ladies cutting from templates, some sewing on treadle machines and always at least 8 or more sitting around a wooden quilt frame putting tiny little stitches in the quilt. It was an all day event with wonderful Dutch/German foods and fabulous pies and cakes, each one tryin to outdo the other. As a result, I am a hand quilter, sometimes hand piecer and love to do hand applique.