While Country Gift & Thrift Shoppe is known as the place where shoppers go to find bargains on gently used items, the building also houses an upstairs quilt room where quilts are displayed for sale and where local volunteers work on projects during select quilting days.

Quilting days were held in January, led by quilt manager Pam Fredericksen of New Holland, during which 30 to 40 different Amish and Mennonite groups volunteered to quilt.

"They volunteer the whole day (to work on) personal (quilt) tops that people can consign with me," Fredericksen explained. "I follow (the customer's) directions. I interview them for about an hour and we talk about what they would like to see (such as) if they want colored thread or binding. The person that owns the quilt tops pays, and that generates money for the store, and it all goes to missions."

Groups typically quilt during select days January through July, working on finishing products and stitching new quilts to sell in the store as well. The room is then closed to quilting in the fall and through December because it is used for the shop's Christmas display. "The public can come in and watch, but no photographs," noted Fredericksen.

The room includes several quilting frames that the volunteers can use while stitching. "We pin the quilts to quilting frames to keep tension," noted Fredericksen. "I mark the quilts with pencil that washes out or white chalk if you can't see the pencil on the dark fabric. They use quilting thread, which is stronger than regular thread. I give guidance on the design, and the ladies follow that. I leave plenty of notes."

Quilts of all designs and patterns are currently for sale in the quilt room. There is also a closeted area on the second floor where the more valuable quilts are displayed on hangers, as well as an area offering quilted pillows and quilted wall hangings.

"Quilts are beautiful. The artwork - the beauty - is the hand stitching," said Fredericksen, noting that no two quilts are alike.

All proceeds from the sale of quilts, as well as other items sold in the store, benefit the humanitarian efforts of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). "All of the money goes to MCC," Fredericksen said. "It is a wonderful store."

Country Gift & Thrift Shop is located at 5602 Old Philadelphia Pike (Route 340), Gap. Offered for sale at the store are antiques; books; bridal gowns; crafting supplies; housewares; jewelry; linens; toys; and clothing for men, women and children. Donations of gently used items are accepted year-round.

For more information, visit http://www.countrygiftandthrift.com or http://www.facebook.com/CountryGiftAndThrift. Those who would like to have the volunteers work on a quilt for them may contact the store at 717-768-3784 and ask for Fredericksen, who can also provide a schedule of quilting days.