Richard London created a video on youtube called a Gringo's Life in Panama. A woman being interviewed from Boquete said she would like to start a Quilt Guild. If she or anyone else can please advise me as to what type of machines are availalble locally, or should I bring my own and the type of supples and tools that are readily available I would be grateful. It will help me decide that to bring and what to leave behind.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Replies
I am planning on moving to Boquete in 2022 or 2023 & would like to join a guild when I get there. I live in Iowa now & I am avid quilter & hope to buy a long arm for when I get there. I plan to bring my quilting supplies with me as well as my 3 machines. I have 2 Vikings & a Janome, I have been quilting for about 5 years. Please contact me if any ideas or advise is needed in us starting a guild. I think a guild would be good in that area. It is a wonderful outlet for us ladies. Twyla Sample. 678-852-9570
The Boquete Knitters and Quilters is a group which knits, crochets and quilts baby blankets and quilts, as well as knitting sweaters, booties and caps. We also knit caps for the pediatric oncology patients who are at the Obaldia (government) children's hospital in David. We donate all our finished items to three medical clinics in the area and the staff give them to their indigenous clients.
The knitters/crocheters meet every Friday afternoon at the Fundacion pro Integracion (Handicap Foundation) for conversation and replenishing their yarn.
I know there is a quilters' "division" which meets, I believe on Mondays. I've personally been so busy (over-committed seems to be my middle name these days) that I've not been out to really acquaint myself with them, but I know they're out there!
Locally, you can find a basic Singer type straight stitch machine in Boquete. There are some slightly fancier Brother or Singer machines often available in David at the PriceSmart. If you have a favorite machine, I'd bring it along.
You can find fabric here, but it is not the same quality as you might find at Joanne or Hancock Fabrics. Again, you might want to bring as much stuff as you possibly can. Oh! Especially batting. The batting is inconsistent - and often completely unavailable.
(I'm hoping my dear friend, Darlene Lindholm, will see this and weigh in on more suggestions. She's a quilter extraordinaire and a wealth of information.)
Remember that fabric, batting, and yarn all make great packing material!
When you arrive, email me - TNRNMSG@yahoo.com
Brandy Gregory
Boquete Knitters and Quilters