News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Quilters from around the world studied the quilts hung throughout Sisters in the largest show of its kind.
Dozens of volunteers hung quilts all around Sisters.
It was a perfect Sisters Country day.
Instead of scorching temperatures, quilters on Saturday enjoyed a warm summer day with just enough breeze to ruffle the 1,500 quilts displayed on buildings around town.
A quick survey of license plates on the cars parked in every available space around Sisters revealed the reach of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: Wisconsin, Colorado and of course dozens from Washington and California.
Perhaps the farthest-traveled were Chris and Gail Coe of Durban, South Africa, who planned their RV tour of America around the Quilt Show.
"My wife is a quilter in South Africa; started two or three years ago," said Chris, who had signed up for the Quilt Rescue Squad. "Somebody (in South Africa) mentioned to us about this funny little town in Oregon who does this in July."
Since they had always wanted to tour the U.S., especially the National Parks, the Coes decided to come out for the show.
Chris decided he wanted to volunteer.
"Frankly, what I know about quilting is dangerous," said the retired dentist. "I decided I'd better find something to do."
Coe said he was pleasantly surprised at how engaging the show is. He thought he'd be bored, but he found the whole thing fascinating.
Other visitors found the show a real inspiration.
Jean Smith has been planning to come to the show for years. A childhood camp buddy of Sisters resident Karly Lusby, Smith has been quilting for 13 years but had never made it up from Berkeley, California.
She was astounded at how thoroughly the show lived up to its international reputation.
"We have a show down in the Bay Area, but it pales in comparison to this," Smith said. "I can't imagine the volunteerism that goes into this. It's amazing."
Smith said that attending the show had given her "a kick in the butt" and inspired her to try new things and take some new classes.
Another set of international visitors is just getting started quilting - but they are coming early to the game.
Haley and Claire Spring, ages 6 and 3, are visiting their grandma and grandpa from Sydney, Australia.
Ed and Marilyn Jensen live at Cascade Meadow Ranch and revel in an extended visit from the grandkids, where they keep them busy "taking horseback riding lessons and doing everything Sisters has to offer."
Last weekend, that included taking them to the kids' activity area on the lawn at Town Square, where Sue McMahan led them in making a nine-patch quilt block.
"It's a simple way to teach kids how to quilt," McMahan said. "We like to start 'em early."
Quilting has gradually come to bridge generations and tastes, shifts that are reflected in the wide variety of quilts on display on Sisters' downtown shops and offices. Traditional patterns hang near contemporary designs that look almost like paintings.
Quilters study the quilts looking at technique, snapping pictures and seeking inspiration to take home with them for their own projects.
A crowd gathered in front of Mackenzie Creek Trading Co. to admire one quilt made by Beth McIlvoy of Redmond, depicting running horses that looked ready to jump right out of the quilt.
"It looks like it's 3-D! It's amazing!" one spectator exclaimed.
Another popular subject for photos was a quilt made by Judy Franklin of Aloha. The quilt featured colorful pictures of planets and a historic moonshot photo.
The information card explained that Franklin made the quilt "for my niece, who dreams of being an astronaut."
Hundreds of quilts depicted dreams and memories - and inspired thousands of visitors to bring their own dreams and memories to bear in a traditional American craft that is only now reaching its golden age.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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