Quilt show has another big day

The 2003 Sisters Quilt Show unfurled Saturday, July 12, blanketing the heart of Sisters with breathtaking evidence that the art and craft of quilting is flourishing.

As if to celebrate, the weather was gorgeous. Even the smoke from the Link Fire was kept away most of the day by winds that stirred and fluttered the quilts.

Sisters had done her homework to accommodate the crowds. The new Barclay Park provided a pleasant respite with its convenient restrooms. Storefronts and eateries greeted visitors with festive welcome signs. Several continued the quilting theme inside, displaying hand-stitched originals.

Christa Hamilton at Harvest Basket related that an eager customer so admired one of their definitely-not-for-sale pieces that she finally and convincingly pleaded long enough to purchase the item from its maker.

Visitors were as diverse as the quilt patterns, representing various cultures. Ikako Takichi, Kochi Saiko, Yoko Yanagimoto and Terago Sharma traveled from Osaka, Japan to attend the Sisters Quilt Show. The ladies brought with them several works. Stitched on rich tapestries, their display included an antique obi, or Japanese sash, well over 100 years old.

Takichi is a quilting instructor and teaches 160 students. She has her own exhibits.

Through their interpreter, Yanagimoto, the ladies reported that they were all having a wonderful time admiring Central Oregon and meeting other quilters from the many different states.

Houston, Texas was well represented by quilters Bonnie Portera and Peggy Fetterhoff.

Friends and lifelong quilting enthusiasts, the two have traveled to many shows. They were very favorably impressed by the way in which "your little town has handled such a crowd."

Portera and Fetterhoff spoke enthusiastically of the International Quilt Show in Houston but agreed Sisters had great appeal in its own right.

Closer to home, Joan and Dale Schwinger arrived from Albany, Oregon. Though they were in early 19th century Mennonite dress, they confessed that they were not Mennonite. They just wanted to add to the ambiance of the event, they explained.

Joan has been an avid quilter for more than 20 years. She prefers the traditional patterns such as the Broken Star and the Irish Link.

"I've waited all these years to have some time to myself so I could quilt. Now that the children are grown I intend to do just that," she said.

Husband Dale is very enthused for her and supports all quilting aspirations. His pride in her is very apparent.

There was something for everyone at this year's show. "It's like your Mardi Gras," said one visitor. "People in the streets viewing quilt floats."