These snowy, windy and cold days make for some of the best times to gather and knit, quilt or sew. We know of many people who are tucked into their own Washington Island homes, weaving, spinning or stitching, too.
Mondays and Tuesdays find several Island residents meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church, sharing their gift of handwork with others, like a warm shawl or a quilt to comfort those who are experiencing a loss or illness. Handmade hats, mittens and scarves might be draped on December’s “Giving Tree”, where items are collected and sent to youth in need.
The Trinity quilters, besides making comfort and charity quilts distributed both on the Island and globally, create and present a quilt to each of the Washington Island High School seniors at graduation, personalizing each one by using a student’s favorite colors or incorporating fabric that captures their hobbies and interests. Through the year, they also offer the option to buy or bid on quilts with the funds going towards supplies and to charitable causes. In addition, these colorful hats and mittens were made by a generous sewist, specifically to purchase and add to the Giving Tree.
A new addition to Washington Island’s fiber art scene is Jennifer Munao’s longarm quilting business. She stopped by a week or so ago with these cards. Jennifer has a state-of-the-art Gammill Statler Stitcher Longarm machine with a 12-foot wide table, accommodating quilts as wide as 108″ or as small as a placemat. Her website, www.armonalla.com, has more details and contact information.
Speaking of fibers, we have been asked several times over the years about our “fiber optics school”. A quick explanation brings the focus back to the fibers we’re more acquainted with. We understand that efforts are now being made by a regional provider to seek grant funding for broadband expansion on Washington Island through the new (as of a year ago) underwater electric cable from Northport to Washington Island.
Tucked back in the Sievers office, we are planning and preparing for more than 40 fiber art class experiences in 2020. Each day brings us closer to being ready for the start of registration on February 1st!
Love hearing the Siever’s updates….and so looking forward to seeing the schedule for 2020!
Thanks, Nancy! Registration time will be here before we know it!
Seeing the photo of the beautiful fabrics reminded me of cutting fat quarters during my time at Sievers. It was a magical summer filled with meeting new people and new experiences. The night-time silence was overwhelming at first but I soon learned to listen to the waves lapping on the shore of the neighbors’s backyard. What a great way to be lulled into sleep! Just a bit of nostalgia; Oh, to hear those lovely sounds now. Thanks to Ann and Butch for that special summer. Warm Christmas blessings to you all!
Ann Fischer
What lovely memories, Ann. And winter nights are even more quiet! We still cut many fat quarters each year. Our best to you at Christmas and in the New Year from all your friends at Sievers!
Gorgeous pictures with the snow! What a wonderful place to spend the winter!! Summer too!!
Every season is our favorite!