Teacher Interview

The Meeting Place

Meet
Betty Neff

by Jack Braunstein

Determining whether to classify a quilt (or for that matter, a quilter) as traditional or contemporary need not stir up a tug-of-war between two camps. After all, both reside in perfect harmony in the quilts of Betty Neff.

"I find inspiration in all genre and even use vintage fabrics alongside batiks," says the native Pennsylvanian. Although Betty is inclined to work with traditional patterns and reproduction fabrics, much of her work has a contemporary feel. That's because self-expression is her main goal, and she encourages students to strive for the same: "I have them study and antique quilt and interpret it in a way that reflects something about themselves in 2004."

As a teacher, Betty fells a responsibility to constantly grow as a quilter and makes every effort to push out of her comfort zone. "Though I naturally gravitate to fabrics that give my quilts a vintage look, it's hard for me to say that I make only one style of quilts. I make it a point to venture out by seeking instruction from contemporary quilters." For instance, she has learned innovative ways to use color and thread from Mary Mashuta, an ardent contemporary quilter.

It was Betty's mom who taught her how to sew on a treadle machine and later how to hand piece just as Betty's mom had been taught by her mother. In fact, it was her wish to own one of her grandmother's quilts that motivated Betty to learn how to quilt so she could make her own. But neither Betty nor her mother were passionate quilters until the American Bicentennial, when quilting began experiencing its current renaissance. "She loved hand quilting and I love theh piecing, so we have worked on many quilts together. At age 83, she's still hand quilting.

Betty has 30 years of professional teaching, 17 as a home economics teacher in public schools and 13 in teaching adult education classes in colleges and a state woman's prison. She and Judith Cole Youngman developed three series classes in which students study their antique quilts before going on to create their own 21st century translations.

Betty maintains an open and informal classroom where questions are often raised amid a bustle of activity. As a way of enhancing their creativity, she encourages her students to gather photos and articles from quilt shows, magazines, and classes and organize them into notebooks that are categorized according to subjects such as string quilts, Baskets, Log Cabins, or Amish quilts. This enables them to easily retrieve the information they seek when developing a new design or idea.

As least four times a year Betty takes to the road and works at quilt shows as a teacher and vendor. "I like to think that people pay me to travel and that I teach for free," she says. During those trips she sells patterns while her husband Richard, a retired school superintendent, sells vintage Singer Sewing machines through their company Pennsylvania Quilter.

Betty and Richard have restored three older homes in Northeast Pennsylvania, including the one in which they currently live. They've done the electrical work, plumbing, floors, drywall, wallpapering, painting--everything down to the landscaping and restoration of furniture. "The old homes had enough antique furniture, but what was missing was the quilts. So I would design a quilt to fit the area. If you want a certain look in your home, you can create it if you're a quilter."

For more information about Betty Neff's classes and quilts as well as the vintage Singer sewing machines her husband fixes and sells, e-mail her at northwind00@hotmail.com. Or visit her website at www.pennsylvaniaquilter.com

Betty's brand new book Quilts to Treasure is now available. You will love the 8 beautiful quilts in this book. Betty has a knack for choosing just the right fabrics to give her quilts that heirloom feel. Includes step-by-step directions, full-color photos, plus Betty’s insight on fabric selection. Look for it at your local quilt shop.

Here are three of the quilts in Betty's new book, Quilts to Treasure.

	"American Made" (61" x 61") I encourage my students to use documentation fabrics in their quilts because I believe that the fabric documents the era, not just the year. A millenium fabric is the perfect background in this quilt. Foundation pieced stars blocks in the baskets help to complete the patriotic theme of my 4th of July quilt. It was expertly hand quilted by Joyce Zander.
My husband claimed "Heart and Home" (86" x 108") as I was making the Log Cabin blocks. He likes these colors and he helped choose the pineapple, a favorite motif of ours, for the appliqué. Use any 6" block design you like for the house blocks to give your quilt your own style. Heart and Home was hand quilted by The Balls Mills Quilters.
	I designed "Shaker Baskets" (70 1/2" x 84") to use an assortment of purple prints for continuity. A variety of background and sashing prints emphasizes my fondness for scrappy-style quilts. Quilted by Arlene Martin.

Past Profiles:

Meet Betty Neff

Meet
Betty Neff