More than twenty years ago and wondering how I might spend retirement time, I thought of quilting. My first toe-dipping began as many of us in Minneapolis, with a beginning quilting class at Glad Creations. The choice was an appliqué class under the tutelage of Pat Cox. I immediately became enthralled. Glad’s shop was, for me, an adult’s toyland.
Classes continued as I slowly caught on to techniques. I finally had the courage to make and to finish! a block of the month appliqué quilt. But I did leave several projects unfinished. A focus on pieced quilts came next and that has remained as my preferred medium.

I have ventured into many of the genres – kaleidoscope quilts, two-block quilts, two-color quilts, strip quilts and modern quilts. Each new quilt is an adventure – new techniques, new toys, new color palettes. The pictured quilt features an ongoing affair with strip quilting, most often using the patterns of Kim Brackett.

While quilting has been a way to play, the continued attraction is the camaraderie and friendship it offers through quilting retreats, show committees, volunteer opportunities, quilt guild meetings, shop hops and quilting classes are opportunities for laughter, learning, sharing, excitement and the occasional reverse sewing.

Quilters are the most giving group of folks I know. They are constantly quilting for others, meeting community calls for assistance, be it quilts for a family devastated by flood or fire, sheltered wives and children, hospitals. The list goes on with a continuous flow of face masks.