Quilters from around Lake County flock to master quilter class

Just like the art she creates, Ayleen Bain, 90, of St. Ignatius, is a masterpiece.

Bain taught a four-hour class June 2, on how to create a “broken star” quilt block pattern in St. Ignatius.

Her presence drew one of the largest crowds to ever show up for the regular Thursday quilter’s group.

Held at the St. Ignatius Senior Center, ladies from around Lake County brought their sewing machines, irons, potluck lunch dish and creative spirit to the group along with all the materials it would take to customize each lady’s own piece.

Time flew by as seamstresses sewed pre-cut pieces, chatted happily and ironed out all their rough edges.

Bain, pushing her hot pink walker and sporting a giant smile, wandered around the rectangular room like a human hug, encouraging, guiding and assisting each participant and friend with their project.

Margaret Schone’s quilt is for her daughter. Others are creating quilts for family members and friends.

Behind the ladies, a full-size quilt hung on the wall with a raffle ticket prices sign.  

That community quilt represents the mentality of love, collaboration and community among group members.

Bain, who started the group in the 1990s, said that she gives away most of her work. But she has reminders and memories of her work through one-inch remnant strips tucked away in a drawer over time, then pulled out at random to make a one-of-a-kind quilt top of its own.

When finished, that quilt will be coveted. It represents years of love, memories and friendship.

After lunch, as the ladies work on their projects, Bain takes a moment to share her uniquely created “crazy” quilt top with the class.

After the crazy quilt, Bain shows off her “Bugs in a Jar” quilt top that she will eventually give away.

Bain’s corners are perfect. Her seams are exact. 

And that is no small task, considering her physical limitations.

Bain said she first had a table and hot iron set up near her chair to ease the stress on her body’s vulnerable places. But, after a while, she realized she wasn’t getting enough exercise, so she moved her ironing table to another location in the room so she would be forced to stand up occasionally and walk around.

She has a list of project plans a mile long, which Bain said is vital to her happy spirit.

“I don’t have time to get old,” she said.

Bain doesn’t come to every Thursday quilting class like she used to, but she loves the company, the friendship and the support she gets from her friends and fellow quilters.

Linda Trickey of Ronan is not a regular Thursday quilter’s class participant. But she was particularly thrilled to attend this one because Bain led the group.

“I circled the date on my calendar four months ago,” Trickey said. “She is the master quilter. She is an amazing little lady and I look for inspiration in her.”

Linda Schoon and Mary Lou Keast helped start the group, and still attend regularly.

Ann Deister began coming to the group when she retired to the area four years ago. Barbara Warrington, Linda Baldwin and Kay Krantz came years earlier. 

No matter.

Now, thanks to Bain, they and the others make up a giant, soothing, warm circle of love.