Link to the Past
Hanging Around with the Quilter’s Sew-ciety of Redding…
One of my earliest memories is snuggling up in bed under a quilt my grandmother made by hand. The love my grandma put into her sewing made me feel like I was being wrapped up in a hug from her. The art of quilting is a time-honored craft that holds so much history. For hundreds of years, family stories have been lovingly stitched into fabric, creating works of art that hold memories to pass down for generations. Using swatches of fabric from old military uniforms, grandpa’s old jeans, a baby’s first outfit or a precious wedding dress, the quilter can spin a tale of hope, love and family to mark special events in history.
“Quilts provide a link to the past,” said Chris Hartman, a member of the Quilters’ Sew-Ciety of Redding, Inc., quilt guild. “They are handmade and personal. I have quilts from my great grandmother. The quilts are a wonderful link to my family past. I never knew my great grandmother, but through her quilts I feel a connection.”
The quilt guild chose a creative way to celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge. They draped almost 70 quilts over the edge of the 710-foot span of the bridge. The effects of the colorful quilts juxtaposed to the graceful arching white metal and glass of the bridge created a stunning effect, as if the quilts were giving the bridge a hug from their heart.
The Quilters’ Sew-ciety will host its biennial quilt show to honor the 20th anniversary of the Sundial Bridge on Sept. 20-21 at the Shasta District Fair and Event Center in Anderson (10 am to 5 pm Friday and 10 am to 4 pm Saturday). The show will feature hundreds of quilts and several vendors, and visitors will have an opportunity to design a quilt square to be sewn into a philanthropic quilt. Two featured quilters, Patricia Aberg and Lyn Hamilton, will exhibit their unique collection of work. Hamilton is known for her use of bright colors and Aberg is known for her detailed applique work with technical realist art quilts. Both have been past presidents of the guild.
Formed in 1978, the Quilters’ Sew-ciety of Redding has about 150 members. In its 46 years, members have taught quilting in local schools, and they have made and donated quilts to victims of wildfires, veterans, cancer patients, people in nursing homes, foster kids, children in Head Start and the Mercy NICU unit. They have also helped support One Safe Place, Child Protective Services and the Bella Vista Animal Sanctuary.
“We gave more than 1,000 quilts to the Carr fire victims, providing a new family heirloom to people who lost everything,” Hartman said. “During the Zogg Fire, we wanted to make sure we had quilts in the hands of the victims before Christmas.”
Barbara Moore, a Carr Fire victim who lost everything in the fire was one of those recipients. “It gave us (her and her husband Lou) peace and comfort to know that people put so much love and care into the quilts we received,” she said. “They gave us hope to endure the total loss everything we had. I want to say thank you and let them know they were such a blessing.”
For another chance to see these works of art, the Discover Turtle Bay Challenge quilts will also be exhibited at the Turtle Bay Museum from October through December. The Redding quilters are known for their artistic challenge quilts, which have been exhibited at quilt shows, galleries and museums across the nation in the past. •
Quilters’ Sew-ciety of Redding, Inc.
www.quilterssewciety.org
Article Written by:
Stacie Moore, with more than 20 years in education, holds roles from teacher to superintendent in the North State. She’s also a Realtor at Better Choice Real Estate, adding a personal touch to home transactions. Rooted in Redding, she cherishes family and is most proud of her two amazing, successful children.
