News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Quilting is a traditional art - one that is continuing to grow and evolve as artists press into new frontiers.
Yet even the most avant-garde quilter can appreciate the extraordinary detail-work of hand-stitched traditional quilts. Visitors to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this July will have an opportunity to see such work on display at Beacham's Clock Company.
Family quilts belonging to local contractor and Sisters Rodeo Association President Glenn Miller will be on display there through the entire month of July.
These quilts have an additional touch of traditional resonance. They first hung on the streets of Sisters back in 1975.
"A couple of 'em were in the first quilt show 40 years ago," Miller told The Nugget.
The quilts come out of the Mennonite and Amish traditions.
"My mom was a Mennonite and all my aunts and uncles were Amish," Miller said.
A couple of the quilts on display in this year's show were made by Miller's mother.
"Mom made quilts for all of us kids at one point in her life," Miller said.
Most were made by an aunt.
"I used to buy quilts when I was doing big custom homes," Miller said. "I used to buy them from my Amish aunt as a housewarming gift."
With the Quilt Show celebrating its 40th year in Sisters, it seemed appropriate to break out the heirloom quilts.
"Jean Wells (founder of the quilt show) actually told the gals to give me a call and see if I still had them," Miller said. "I've had 'em at home in a cedar chest for years."
Beacham's Clock Co. is located at 300 W. Hood Ave., between Oak and Pine streets.
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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