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QUILTER OF THE MONTH

Quilting has been a positive passion for Pat Helmrichs for the past 18 years. The process of creating motivates her, “I have always enjoyed working with textiles. It’s very satisfying for me to use my mind and my hands to create something beautiful and useful.” 

Remembering her sewing experience Pat wrote, “I started sewing when I was about 10. My mom was a great garment seamstress, so I learned from her. I kept sewing and made clothes for myself in Junior High, High School and for my family after I was married my daughters could tell tales of going to the fabric store with Mom ‘for hours’ or so it seemed to them. I did bridal sewing for a while.”

Pat made her first quilt when she was expecting her daughter in 1975, “It was an applique baby quilt made with not the best fabric for quilting,” Pat credits her second quilt as the beginning of her serious quilting journey, “I made my second quilt in 2005 when I took a class from Kathy Wilgenbusch at the Quilt Shoppe in Manchester…I must credit Kathy Wilgenbusch with teaching me the basics in that beginner class. She was a patient teacher, always encouraging.”

Nature provides Pat inspiration for her quilting creations, “Everywhere I look there is something beautiful to interpret into my projects. I find it a great resource for color choices. I also enjoy watching ‘Textile Talks’ and ‘Quilt Nerd’ on YouTube. I’ve learned a lot about how quilts reflect our history and our culture. It’s inspiring to see how artists use quilts as their medium for expression.”

Pat tells the story of her all time favorite project, “...a quilt I made for my second granddaughter. The colors were bright and fun and there were a lot of appliques. At one point I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew, but once it was done, I was happy with the results. It’s been nearly loved to pieces; and isn’t that what you want for a baby quilt!”

“Flakey Friends'” table topper and “Field of Flowers Quilt” are two more of Pat’s favorites and both are displayed in our window this month. About “Flakey Friends”, Pat wrote, “I’d seen this pattern years ago and always wanted to make it. I brushed up on my embroidery stitches and dove in. The bright red fabrics and the smiley snowmen put a smile on my face. I enjoyed the slower pace of the hand work….the “Field of Flowers” quilt I did as part of the challenge for the ‘Gone Quilting’ group at the Quilt Shoppe. It was a challenge! And once again I was wondering if I’d be able to complete it. I learned a few new things and remembered some tricks I’d forgotten. In the end I was very happy with the results.``

Pat’s “GO TO” book is 15 Minutes of Play by Victoria Findlay Wolfe who offers a “No Rules” approach to quilting. Pat says, “She really encourages you to exercise that “creative muscle” every day, even if only for 15 minutes”. Kai scissors are Pat’s favorite notion.  

Compliments to Pat Helmrichs– our May 2023 Quilter of the Month!