VALLEY QUILT GUILD of TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO
America the Beautiful Raffle Quilt
Featured Quilter
The featured quilter for the 2026 Valley Quilt Guild Show is Jane Gingrich.
Jane’s mother, Esther Ayers, though not a quilter, was an excellent seamstress and taught her how to sew by age 5. Her grandmothers, Hattie Ayers Shull and Clementine Zofrea, both avid quilters, were a source of her love of quilting. Jane made her first doll quilt by the age of 9 and first bed-size quilt in 1975-1976.
Jane has been a member of the Valley Quilt Guild since 2008. She served in many positions including Programs and Workshop Chairman, Community Service Chairman, 2017 Quilt Show Chairman, Guild Co-President, and 20-year Anniversary committee member.
Jane loves color, especially reds and blues, and she is inspired by eye-catching patterns or nature themes. Her favorite technique is paper piecing. She enjoys making the Mariner Star Compass so much, she has made 12 different Compass blocks for a quilt named, Mariner Compass, 12 at Sea, utilizing her collection of red, blue and cream fabric.
Most of Jane’s quilts are made for special people in her life who include her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, two grandchildren, a brother, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends.
Several quilts in the show reflect her love of sharing her talents/designs with the special people in her life. Most of these quilts have been made using clothing of her parents, husband, and children. They include “Dave’s (her husband) Retirement,” “Fishing with Father,” “My Mother’s Day Dress,” and “Sweet Boys.”
Jane has made 88 quilts not counting table runners/toppers.
Jane believes that anyone who is thinking about taking up quilting should start with a small project and take a basic piecing class at a small quilt shop.
She also believes that Valley Quilt Guild offers a wealth of knowledge through its classes and experienced quilters. She has inspired many in the guild through her love of quilting and hopes to pass on her enthusiasm to her grandchildren.
Jane took her first class from Schoolhouse Quilt Shop in Canton, Ohio, 1984.
As a former member of the community service committee, Jane has delivered many quilts to the Job and Family Services Foster/Adoption program, Red Cross, and Veterans Services, to name a few.
We invite everyone to talk with Jane and enjoy her beautiful creations.
