Sew into quilting
Mission quilting group has sewn together for 2 decades
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ST. IGNATIUS — Just like a quilt, Ayleen Bain has sutured a community of Mission quilters, 20 strong some days, to sew quilts using intricate patterns and vibrant fabrics, an illustration of the group’s love and passion.
“It is so fun to see the sparkles that come in their eyes when they create something beautiful,” said 85-year-old Bain, her blue eyes lighting up as she smiles.
In 1985, Bain found herself retired and with more time on her hands.
So she put her hands to work and enrolled in a quilt-making class offered in Ronan.
It was love at first stitch.
“It was almost a dying art back then but lots of people are interested now. I think people are tired of the boob tube and want to do something creative and worthwhile,” Bain said, recalling that quilts from her youth were often made of old clothes. “It used to be an old lady thing. It started from a need; people used to cut up old clothes to make a blanket.”
Bain made her first quilt when she was in her 20s and it was made of her old dresses and aprons. In her lifetime, Bain has pieced more than 150 quilts, most which go to her family.
“They all have at least one quilt,” she said. “I tell them, ‘If you put it away I’m going to come get it because it should be used.’”
And though her past is embroidered with quilting practice, Bain said she continues to learn a great deal from the group of women around her who call themselves ‘Ayleen’s Quilters’.
“We teach each other every day and share tools and fabric,” said Margaret Schoen, who has been quilting with the group for three years. “There is so much to learn and we laugh about everything.”
Barb Warrington moved to the area nine years ago from Colorado where she did custom sewing and drapery. She said she felt welcomed from the start and has been with the group ever since.
“I had done some quilting, mostly sewing drapes, but that’s no fun,” Warrington shared.
“It is the most addictive thing I have ever done. I just love it.” said Kay Krantz, adding that she started seriously piecing quilts in 1992, when she said she began to explore more difficult patterns.
Marian Green explained part of the fun is in the challenge of intricate quilt patterns.
“I came here and I didn’t know anything besides how to work a sewing machine,” Green joked as her fellow quilters showered her with compliments and laughs. “I sew all the time now. I like learning new things.”
Perhaps the main reason Ayleen’s Quilters continue to show up each Thursday, spending as much as six hours in front of a sewing machine, is the sisterhood they seem to have formed. In between the soft hum of the sewing machine are jokes, laughs and fabric shared.
Over the years, the group has donated several of their quilts to the community and local organizations. They also raffle off a quilt the group has made every year to fundraise for the St. Ignatius Senior Citizen Center. Funds raised during these raffles have been as much as $1,150 in one year. On April 27-28, the group will host a quilt show at the senior center to show off some of their recent work. Last summer, at the Lake County Fair in Ronan, Bain said she was a featured quilter, with 36 quilts on display.
And though the group averages about 12 quilters a week, Bain said there is always room for more, no matter the skill level. Ayleen’s Quilters meet every Thursday at the St. Ignatius Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They welcome anyone interested to join them.
“If anyone wants a good hobby … it’s just a good group of people who like doing the same thing,” Bain said. “Come see what’s going on and find out what you should bring. Have a project in mind (and) people will help you out.”
