Quilts Fill Church Spaces, Delight Visitors

On its own, the historic church with its tall spire and soaring ceilings is an impressive sight. Dress it up with scores of colorful quilts and you’ve really got something to behold.

On Friday, Southport Congregational Church hosted the opening day of a two-day quilt exhibit called “Fabrics and Fabrications.” The ninth annual show features more than 150 quilts, a special exhibit of quilted apparel and a boutique offering small quilted items and accessories.

All proceeds from the event, which returns Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of CT, Emerge Inc. and Project Learn. Previous exhibits generated more than $200,000 to benefit area children, women and their families through these non-profit organizations.

Representatives from the non-profits thanked event supporters at an opening reception Thursday evening.

Donna Jackson, co-founder of Emerge, which provides transitional housing for survivors of domestic violence, said the Pequot Avenue church's quilt show "is a life line for Emerge" and helps the non-profit "subsidize our income amid funding cuts."

"Their hard work and commitment is just phenomenal,” Jackson added of quilt show organizers.

Kim Smith, development director at Make-A-Wish, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, said Make-A-Wish “can’t do what we do without special friends like the quilt committee."

"The doctors provide the medicine and we provide the magic for our Wish kids through our generous supporters,” Smith said.

The Patrick family of Darien was a past beneficiary of Make-A-Wish; Jay Patrick, now 15 and doing well, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005, and Make-A-Wish fulfilled his dream of experiencing New York Yankees spring training in Florida. “In the middle of a difficult health battle, Make-A-Wish enabled us to enjoy ourselves as a family. It was a great relief,” said Jay’s mother, Elsie.

On Friday, the quilt exhibit attracted a steady flow of enthusiasts, who were met by church staff and some of the quilters. Virginia Avery, one of the quilt craftsmen, was on hand to speak about her quilted apparel, which included 10 one-of-a-kind examples on display.

“I’ve been doing this for about 40 years,” Avery said. “I happen to be a jazz musician and that inspired my piece ‘Don’t Shoot the Piano Player’, which features outlines of my hands and an authentic-sized keyboard stitched onto the garment. Other pieces have been inspired by famous designers, like Koos Van Denaaker, who have techniques that I’ve incorporated into my work. All of my garments have appeared in international fashion shows and follow various themes.”

Event co-founder Judy Reynolds said the exhibit originated 10 years ago when she exhibited in a quilt show at a Congregational church in Cohasset, Mass. Reynolds said she and Cecily Zerega, who  joined her, were so inspired by the event that they wanted to bring something similar to their community.

"Our first event, held in 2003, featured 150 quilts, which became the standard in terms of the number displayed. Quilts are never shown twice here, so, over time, over 1,000 unique quilts have been exhibited,” Reynolds said.

Susan Slater of Woodbridge, who was looking at quilts in the Southport chuch's chapel with her Milford friend Wilma Sielert, said she and Sielert have been quilting for more than 20 years. “It’s enjoyable to see the quilts people create, their use of color and design. Quilting is very uplifting. It gives you a lot of joy," Slater said. "One of the best things about it is the people you meet – you develop lifelong friendships.”

Eyeing quilts draped over benches in the sanctuary, Marcy Clair of Shelton said she's been quilting for eight years but still considers herself a beginner. "I love to see the old quilts, get inspired and see the various handwork. A lot of these took years to make,” she said.

Standing nearby, Westporter Lisa Krosse, with friend Michelle Lieberson, said she works at a textile conservation workshop in South Salem and is around a lot of old quilts. "These here are in beautiful shape and involve so much intricate and precise handwork. They’re very impressive, especially given the limited resources the quilters had,” she said.

Manning the boutique set-up with Joan Huntington, Susan Kunkel said the boutique is a popular part of the quilt exhibit. “We’ve been blessed with 15 women volunteers who have contributed their handwork, including children’s backpacks, knitted baby items, mini quilts, knitted hats, potholders and even iPad and cellphone covers,” she said.

Reflecting on the exhibit, Zerega said, “It’s truly amazing to see all this come together, and gratifying to see so many people really appreciating what we have here.”