Quilts make books come alive

Some pairings feel just right. Quilts inspired by books, on display in a library, is one of them.

The Cover to Cover Book Club Quilters have an array of their work throughout the Sisters Library until the end of July. The big beams that grace the library are a perfect showcase for the quilts inspired by "Whale Rider," "The Secret Life of Bees," and "Grimm's Fairy Tales." The white walls of the community room show off more quilts based on the Harry Potter books.

The Book Club Quilters began eight years ago in the Portland area when a group of literary-minded quilters got together. They decided that the creative challenge for their quilting would come from the books they read together.

Jennifer Lawton is a part-time Sisters resident who enjoys combining her love of reading with quilting.

"It takes you places that, as quilters, we wouldn't have gone," she said.

The club reads three books each year, making the book-to-quilt time around four months. A book is selected and read, and six weeks later a discussion is held. Members also share any ideas they have for their quilts. At the end of the four-month period, the group convenes again for a dinner and quilt presentation. The next book is selected, and the process continues.

The books range from literary award winners such as "The God of Small Things," by Arundhati Roy, to Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Thinks You Can Think."

Some of the quilts are literal interpretations, some are very abstract.

"Our goal is to stimulate our creativity," said Lawton.