The work of Island quilters will grace the walls of Orcas Center over the holiday season.  The large exhibit, featuring roughly 20 participants, will continue throughout December. It will open Friday, Dec. 5, with a reception in the Madrona Room beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

The exhibit’s title, “Not Your Grandmother’s Quilt,” indicates the wide range of items on display.  In addition to traditional quilt designs, the show will include bed covers, wall hangings, fabric and fiber installations and embellishments, quilted art, and seasonal items

“Quilt-making provides a creative outlet at any skill level,” remarks quilter Edith Thomsen. “Quilting with friends–an increasingly popular pastime for local men and women–provides an avenue for an exchange of ideas, techniques and materials. It is an artistic outlet for some, a home-based business for others. In addition, local quilters have donated over 100 quilts to local infant-toddler care, or to neighbors undergoing medical treatments or merely needing a ‘Quilt of Comfort.’”

Traditional homemade quilts–often necessities of survival–used recycled fabric heavy wools, cotton or feather batting and occasional fancy hand stitching to provide practical and decorative bedding. But today’s quilters may choose from a wide world of diverse materials and equipment (beads, threads and fibers), so that quilting continues to move far beyond Grandmother’s limited options. From a  simple child ‘s quilt to highly complex designs, today’s quilts offer something for everyone.” 

Island quilters or would-be quilters are welcome at informal gatherings on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month in the Orcas Island library meeting room.