From The Heart Exhibit

Fiber artists have always used their craft to reach out to others in need. From prayer shawls knitted by church guilds to quilts made for active duty military personnel and veterans, this exhibit celebrates these works that come from the heart. Plus a celebration of 100 years of 4-H fiber arts.

Pictured here is “Anne’s BMT Quilt,” created by Ellie De Lia for her friend Anne while she was hospitalized for bone marrow transplant. Ellie was inspired to create a quilt with visitors and hospital staff Anne encountered during her stay. Ellie set up a station in Anne’s room, filled with a variety of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and the book “100 Modern Quilt Blocks.” Ellie then asked each visitor to Anne’s room to pick out a block and some fabrics to create his or her own block. Ellie sewed the patches up each night, and returned the next day with new patches to display in the soffit of Anne’s room. Hospital staff became engaged in the project, returning several times to add new blocks and marvel at the growing display of blocks. When Anne’s stay was over, Ellie set the blocks in a black background and completed the quilt.