The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Kids are quilting too — thanks to their grandmas. This year, the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has started a new contest for kids under 18 years of age. Several of the kids entering quilts said grandma was the inspiration for their new interest.

Jenna Coats is sewing her second quilt with her grandma. The 10-year-old wanted a “summery” theme and decided on flip-flops. She and her grandma said one of the most fun parts of the project was choosing fabric at The Stitchin’ Post. Grandma Irene Coats said she let Jenna chose whatever fabrics made “her eyes light up.”

“It’s also been fun to see her confidence level grow with this,” said Irene. She said her granddaughter began slowly on the sewing machine, but soon “she had the pedal to the metal.”

Irene, who has made about a dozen quilts herself, said she wanted her granddaughter to have fun and enjoy the whole process. Jenna, who lives in Bend, has been visiting her grandma’s Sisters home for the last several months to create her quilt.

One Sisters mom, who does not quilt, has two daughters who have entered the contest after learning their quilting skills from their grandmother.

“It skipped a generation,” said mom Debi Crippa who added that quilting is her mom’s “passion.”

“The girls are learning a lot from her,” said Crippa. “More than anything it’s a good way for them to have a bond with her.”

Rachel Crippa, 10 years old, is entering a traditional patch quilt. Her 13-year-old sister Lauren has made a quilt featuring a Scottie dog.

Another contestant is 17-year-old Emily Stokes, who is working on her fifth quilt. Her mom said Emily started sewing in 4H.

“The quilting came from her grandmother. I do not quilt but I sew,” said mom, Robin Stokes.

Emily raises yellow labs and is entering a standard 9-patch with a lab playing with a ball titled “There’s a Dog on My Quilt.” Emily said she enjoys the challenge of quilting along with the math and patience it requires.

“I like spending time with my grandma. She helps me,” said Emily.

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Executive Director Ann Richardson said there aren’t many rules for the first-time contest because the main purpose is to introduce kids to quilting and let them have fun. Quilts must be three-layer with hand or machine stitching rather than tied.

The contest was inspired by the quilting activity area at last year’s Quilt Show where beginners found fabrics, sewing machines and volunteers to help them. Richardson said that area was popular with kids so she wanted to expand on the learning opportunity.

Richardson expects about 15 entries in the contest which will be displayed in Sisters Town Square. Prizes will be awarded Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. The grand prize winner will receive a sewing machine.