My name is Penny Snyder, and I am from Winfield, KS. Currently in my life, it is hard to believe that there was a time when I was not a quilter. My grandmother and mother planted the sewing seed when I was quite young. I was involved with a church ladies’ group that did hand quilting, and after the boys were raised (2001), I had time and began making quilts. My first quilt was a queen size quilt for our bed, which was just the beginning. I focused on making quilts for people who were important in my life, parents, sisters, friends- anyone needing a quilt. For ten years I made a quilt for a graduating Winfield high school senior that had touched my life in some way.

Through the years I have taken many classes and been involved in many groups to learn different quilting techniques. I joined a quilt group at Sunflower Quilt Shop in Derby that propelled me into quilting. I took a class on needle turn applique but found I did not enjoy hand work. I still wanted the look of fine applique, so I took an invisible machine applique class. I have also taken classes in foundation/paper piecing, Judy Niemeyer quilts, and classes with Jacqueline DeJonge. Spending our summers in Colorado, I am exposed to different styles and techniques of quilting from different parts of our nation. Because of that, I have dabbled in art quilting taking art quilt classes. I don’t shy away from new techniques or challenges.

I began long arm quilting approximately 20 years ago. I wanted to do my quilts totally myself which included the quilting. I started with a small, short arm and gradually moved up to a non-computerized long arm that I use to custom quilt my quilts but have operated a Gammill Statler computerized machine too. I have to take classes and have looked for inspiration since long arm quilting does not come naturally for me. I hope that by showing my quilts that I will inspire others to become involved in quilting or to expand their quilting knowledge and try new things.