Volcan Quilters is a not-for-profit community service project that provides classes and materials for quilt making and sewing. Their school has sewing machines available, 2 quilting machines, a cutting machine and all the tools and fabrics necessary to create beautiful textile products. They make bed quilts, wall hangings, purses, table runners, placemats, aprons. All items are individually made with the style and color selection left up to the students. Their showroom features ready-made works for sale; special orders are common. Many students have developed a private clientele after years of beautiful work.
Besides teaching sewing techniques, the school also offers local women a place to enjoy the camaraderie of quilting friends, share ideas and support and encourage each other in their work.
Helping Women Become Independent Wage Earners
Their goal is helping women become independent wage earners, while working from home while they care for their families. This not-for-profit community service project relies heavily on the support and generosity of Panamanians and expats in the community. Over the past 12 years, they have had the help of two Peace Corp volunteers, a grant from the Soroptomist International de Volcan to start the classes, classroom space donated by a local businessman, and the free help of dozens of expat volunteers. They have held classes in five locations and now have a safe school where they can teach, house the necessary materials for quiltmaking, and exhibit their work. All the background work is done by a team of loyal volunteers and 3-4 paid Panamanian teachers who work daily with students.
A Unique School in Panama to Learn Quilting and Sewing
In the past 12 years, this organization had taught over 2,000 women in Chiriqui and Costa Rica to sew, quilt and sell their items to their clients and to visitors. They have exhibited at the National Artisans Fair in Panama City for years and have mounted a museum quality exhibit for 8 years at the Boquete Library exhibition hall.
All their products are quilted, either on a home machine, a classroom machine, or their 12′ long-arm quilting machine. They use 100% cotton fabric to construct their quilts, teaching patterns both historic and modern. The quality tools used in making their products are the most modern available and are not easily found in Panama. There is no place like this school anywhere in Panama with the only long-arm quilting machine in the country. All these things are available to both students and clients under the guidance of teachers and volunteers.
Women, the Untapped Resource of Panama
The women of Panama are a wonder, an untapped resource for the country. They are honest, hard-working, creative, and love to create what they sell and over 2000 women have gained something from their work in the school.
General Information:
Facebook: Volcan Quilters or Acolchados de Volcan
Instagram: @VolcanQuilters
Cell phone: 6539-1270 or Phone: 709-6059 (evenings).
Working Hours: Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Address: located one block off the main street of Volcan as you enter the town, behind the Escuela Primaria Basica, in the large green building on the corner of Volcan’s central park.
Publishing by Carol Doak
