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Stitched Together

Photo by Len Villano.

Remember a long time ago, last winter. Well, sort of a long time ago; heck, it’s hardly snowed at all since April.

While most of us were huddled by the fire, thinking unkind thoughts about the weatherman, 20 creative souls trekked to the Baileys Harbor Town Hall on eight frigid Sundays to participate in the Community Quilting Bee organized by Kristen Peil of the Baileys Harbor Historical Society.

Some of the group – like Kaye Wagner, Judy Young and Jane Whiteman, members of the Trillium Quilt Guild – came to enjoy the fun as well as to help novice quilters.

Other regulars included Julie Knox and her granddaughter Collette Ullman, Kristen’s husband Caleb Whitney (yes, men are fine quilters!), Jeannie Ehmke, Lorel Schneider, Carol Sokolowski, Mary Moran, Linda Anderson, Debbie Logerquist, Kathe Budzak, Judith Kalb, Cathy Kaiser, Linda Silvasi-Kelly, Thea Thompson, Roberta Thelen and Peil.

Photo by Len Villano.

The results of their 40 hours with needles and thread were: a 65” x 80” community quilt with 30 personally designed squares; a table runner (a mini-quilt featuring hand-embroidered Baileys Harbor wildflowers); a framed quilt square encrusted with beads, baubles and textiles; four pillows created from extra crazy quilt squares; and even a shopping bag or two.

The quilt will be displayed throughout the summer at the McArdle Library and the town hall, and at festivals and other summer events in Baileys Harbor.

All the items will be raffled off at the Baileys Harbor Autumn Fest. Ticket sales began on June 4, the day of the historical society’s folk art event and will continue through Sept. 27. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. They can be obtained from the board members of the Baileys Harbor Historical Society: LeAnn Despotes, Susie Bauldry, Roy Cole, Steve Hey, Mary Moran, Marianne Newton and Peil.

Information can also be requested from the BHHS at [email protected]. The community quilt is, of course, the grand prize. Proceeds will be used to make the Albert Zahn digital archives accessible to the community.

Photo by Len Villano.

Peil says all the materials for the quilt and other items, except the backing and binding, were recycled fabric supplied by Door County Nature Works, Nathan Nichols & Company and Door County Interiors and Design. She expressed thanks to them, as well as to Lorel Schneider (a magician!) for sewing the squares together, to Carol Sokolowski for binding the quilt, to Debbie Logerquist for the incredible beaded square, to Kaye Wagner and Jeannie Ehmke for creating the wildflower table runner, and to the town of Baileys Harbor for making the space available each Sunday.

“The biggest takeaway from the project,” Peil says, “is: surround yourself with good people and anything can be accomplished.”

Will the Community Quilt Project continue next winter?

“Heck, yeah,” Peil says. “We’re thinking of creating a quilt with squares representing Baileys Harbor buildings. Don’t put that needle and thread away yet.”