The Seacoast Quilt Guild’s “Picture Book Quilts” exhibit is being shown at Abbot Public Library through September.
The exhibit has been on display in the Virgina A. Carten Gallery since the library’s reopening in July, featuring quilted renditions of picture books like “Where’s Waldo,” “The Hungry Hippo,” “Harold and the Purple Crayon” and other classics. A physical copy of each corresponding book is on display beside the quilts.
Most of the quilters used a machine applique and Wonder-Under to apply the book cover to the surrounding fabric, and each quilter selected their book for a reason, Guild member Lyn Holian said.
“Hearing the story behind each quilt was one of the best parts,” she said.
The Guild, founded in 2010, is made up of around 25 members. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center.
At the meetings, members get to know each other, play quilting games, talk about future exhibits and event ideas and share their recent projects. Getting involved is a no-brainer for quilt enthusiasts.
Member Martha Paige shared that she is relatively new to quilting, but showed up to a meeting earlier in the year to check out the Guild.
“Everybody was friendly and sharing ideas and I was like ‘I’ve found my people,’” Paige said. She is currently working on a strip and flip quilt.
Julie Corso has been working on a Parisian quilt for over three years. The quilt features different pictures of Paris, and Corso is nearing the finish line.
“I never thought I’d get to the borders, but here I am,” Corso shared with the group.
Many of the quilters are working on projects for family members and friends. Christine Fernandez has been in the Guild for five years, and the last quilt she made was for her granddaughter.
Darla Kilroy has been a member for about a year. She is working on what she calls “challenge quilts.” One is a 365-day challenge, which requires Kilroy to stitch a new pattern each day for a year.
Kimberly Grad, the library’s director, was at the Aug. 7 meeting. The Guild discussed possibly hosting quilting lessons at the library in the future.
For now, curious crafters can visit the library’s Thompson Makerspace to find two sewing machines, according to Grad. There is also a 3-D printer, laser cutter and a podcasting studio.
“Quilters are friendly people,” Guild member Sarah Bates said. “If anyone needs it, we’re happy to give you a ride to a meeting.”
