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Friendship in bloom: Starts with quilt

Silverton Garden Club
Silverton Garden Club

By Kathy Cook Hunter

When some Silverton Garden Club men and women decided to make a quilt, most of them had no idea it would lead to friendships.

Club treasurer and a quilter Jeff Bovee suggested interested members create a quilt to sell as a fundraiser, and the suggestion was immediately met with enthusiasm.

“We had many quilting gardeners and wannabe quilters in our club,” President Barbara Williamson said. The garden club, by and large comprised of baby boomers and many – ahem – “older” members, is no longer interested in devoting itself to raising money through plant or baked goods sales. Likewise, donating their time and effort to projects around town is not a top priority as aging bodies’ aches and pains have taken hold.

These days, as shown by a survey Williamson took, members mainly want to learn more about gardening at the monthly programs. And individuals are willing to donate money here and there to what they consider worthy projects, such as a club brick in the walk outside The Oregon Garden’s pavilion or a flower basket in downtown Silverton.

But the club needs money in addition to dues to operate, since it donates money toward qualifying horticultural projects at local schools every year. So, like Topsy, the quilt idea grew as interest grew among participants, and they began the project last February with six people.

Becky Ludden, calling herself an on-and-off quilter for 15 years, said the project renewed her interest in quilting, while Kathy Bovee remembers Joanne Sowa as the one who had the idea for club quilters to get together and quilt.

“I started as a child,” Sowa said. “I always loved textiles.” Living in Idaho before she and her husband moved to Scotts Mills, she worked with art quilters and discovered how supportive and nurturing the group was. “When this idea came up, I said, ‘Let’s go for it.’”

Bette Stewart quilted “40-some years ago, and this was really a good way to get back to it,” she said. “The club survey had indicated interest in social activities, too.”

Each quilter “pieced,” or made individual parts, of the quilt top. A longtime garden club member, local artist Mary Goodson, did the applique and helped design it. They hired Rebecca Looney of Silverton to machine quilt the top to the batting. They donated all materials, time and the cost of the machine quilting.

Stitches in Bloom schedule
Transforming the Traditional
Lura Schwarz Smith will teach
the hands-on quilt workshop
on Jan. 21 and 23. $300,
includes lunches; details
at oregongarden.org/events

Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jan. 24, 25 and 26 at
The Oregon Garden Pavilion,
879 W. Main St. Admission:
$11, adults; $9, seniors;
$8, students; free to
garden members.
Volunteers get in free
([email protected]
or 503-874-2533).
503-874-2537, oregongarden.org

Williamson had long wanted to be a quilter. “It’s been on my bucket list, and I’ve waited my entire life,” she said. “It was like a dream come true. I found it’s addictive, and the (group’s) generosity, friendship and support have been tremendous.”

Looking around the group, she said gratefully, “Thanks for all the enthusiasm. It really got me started.”

Although the group agrees quilting is an expensive hobby requiring top-quality, 100-percent cotton fabric and a good sewing machine, they say quilting’s artistic aspect makes it worth it.

When their first quilting effort was finished, they didn’t want to stop. The Bovees suggested making sampler quilts for themselves. “There are many designs out there you can copy, but with Jeff and Kathy’s tips, I put those ideas together into my own design,” said Stewart’s husband, David.  Williamson added, “Jeff, Kathy and Joanne were so supportive and kept us going.”

Although most of the garden club quilters have attended or want to go to the Sisters Quilt Show, considered Oregon’s premiere quilt extravaganza and held every summer in Sisters, Sowa offered, “I have to say The Oregon Garden’s ‘Stitches in Bloom’ show is outstanding. ‘Stitches is gaining in fame and getting more following.” All agree the vendors at the local show, now in its fifth year, are “wonderful.”

Stewart enjoys volunteering at the show. “You get to see more, such as showing the backs of quilts to people.”

That “Stitches in Bloom” is smaller than the Sisters show is fine with Kathy Bovee. “I like the size – it’s more manageable,” she said. “You get to see lots of different quilts, but it’s not overwhelming, and it’s fun to shop with their vendors.”

“I find it very inspirational,” Williamson said. “…all the different quilts, plus all the seminars that give you ideas.”

“And there’s a wide range of styles and skills,” Sowa said. “A person doesn’t need to be able to pick up a needle and thread to appreciate the beauty and creativity.”

“I go back because I like to see the diverse patterns,” David Stewart said, “and I like to figure how the quilts were assembled.” He appreciates the mechanics and technical skills shown in lining up corners and prints, and wonders, “How would that technique help me put mine together so it lines up right?”

The Silverton Garden Club Quilters, as they call themselves, wants to continue meeting and quilting together. “We’re having so much fun,” Bette Stewart says.

Eventually nine people worked on the club’s quilt they’ve named – guess what? — Friendship in Bloom, which will be on display at “Stitches in Bloom.”

 

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