KENT—On the walls of shops around town are handmade quilts, wall hangings and aprons that are for sale and proceeds from the sales are going to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
The Quilt Trail Sale is the work of the Kent Quilters and features 25 quilted items created by 12 different quilters. It is an annual event that is always directed to a nonprofit organization in town.
The large group quilt “Red-y Responders KVFD” is showcased on the wall at J.P. Gifford Market. Members have worked for months to plan, design and create the large quilt that is all in red and white colored fabrics. It sells for $1,250.
“We raise money for a different nonprofit every year,” explained Jane Zatlin, one of the Kent Quilters and the organizer of the Quilt Trail Sale, as she oversaw the hanging of the three quilts in J.P. Gifford Friday afternoon. The group sells small handmade things and wall hangings at the Sidewalk Sales each year but has found that this event raises more funds for them to give away.
“This allows us to raise thousands of dollars. The merchants have been very gracious to allow us to display things,” Zatlin said.
The quilted items are on display through Saturday, Oct. 26 at 15 different locations. Maps are available in the locations. QR codes are located next to each quilt, linking to the payment site, with a short bio of the quilter.
There is another aspect to the Quilt Trail Sale for families who want to walk the town and participate in a scavenger hunt. Each quilted item has a red letter next to QR code and information about the quilt. Participants are encouraged to write the letter on the map, unscramble the letters to reveal a secret message. Those who visit 10 locations will be able to receive a handmade prize at Sundog Shoe and Leather.
Participating merchants enjoy the foot traffic from visitors and residents.
“The merchants have said to me that it is great because it gets people in who might never have been in their store before,” Zatlin said.
James Neunzig, owner of J.P. Gifford Market, confirmed this Friday, Aug. 30. His store has hosted the large group quilt for multiple years.
“It is an incredible charity and it is the most amazing work,” Neunzig said. “Anyone who has these in their business, it really drives a lot of business into your shop.”
When people sit down at the tables and look up at handmade quilts, they take notice.
“People are really dumbfounded about how immaculate and how intricate they are,” Neunzig said. “Last year there was one that was a bookshelf and I remember people would come in, who maybe didn’t have their glasses on, and would say, ‘I thought that was a bookshelf.’ People are amazed at what is hanging up there.”
Joe Speranzo, owner of Sundog Shoe and Leather, has been a participating location each year. He is a director with the Kent Community Fund and has long been a supporter of various town-wide activities and nonprofit organizations.
“It is nice they change who they contribute to each year. It moves it around a bit,” Speranzo said. “It gets people to come visit Kent.”
This is actually the second time the Kent Quilters have made a quilt for KVFD. In the beginning of its 10-year history, the group only made one group quilt and raffled it off.
“When we did the year for the fire department, they decided to keep it. So their first red and white quilt is in the changing room at the firehouse,” Zatlin said. “We decided to circle back to them because now we are raising a lot more money .”
The quilters participating this year are: Sue Rook Nichols, “Beulah;” Deborah Oswarek, “Flying South;” Gail Tobin, “Fallen Leaves,” “Shimmering Sunlight” and “Tiny Steps;” Jo Mellis, “Cardinal,” “Blue Jay,” and “Hummingbird;” Barbara Marcone, “Volunteer Star;” Jane Suttell Zatlin, “’60s Birds” and “Linen Farm Themed Aprons;” Veralyn Davee, “Rainbow Interrupted,” “The River” and “Forest Friends;” Judith Flynn, “5 Chunky Monkeys;” Satomi Hoar, “Playhouse Quilt;” Dana Slaughter, “Twirling Leaves;” and Alicia Winter, “Fields and Streams.”
Doris Palmer was a longtime quilter, one of the founding members of the Kent Quilters, and she passed away this year. Three items are from her collection. “Doris Blocks” is a quilt top created by Palmer and Barbara Marcone quilted and finished the quilt. “At Home with Doris” is a quilt that was started by Palmer with 63 house blocks and four rows sewn together and finished by Karen Eckmeier, who added more blocks and rows. “Country Village” is a quilt of houses and trees created by Palmer and assembled by Lorry Schiesel.
In the fall of each year the Kent Quilters meet to select the next organization in Kent that they will support. There are several new members this year and they consider which nonprofit should be selected. The group meets monthly to work on projects. The organization has to be 501c3 and have the ability to accept online donations for the quilt sales.
“The Kent Quilters are not a legal entity and don’t have a bank account, so we connect to them and they get the money,” Zatlin said.
The participating Kent businesses displaying quilts in the Quilt Trail Sale are: Foreign Cargo, Sundog Shoe and Leather, Covered Bridge Electric Bike, David Gavin Salon, 45 on Main, Fife ’n Drum, Kent Computer Services, 109 Cheese Market, Ace Hardware, Webster Bank, Kent Memorial Library, Heron American Craft Gallery, J.P. Gifford Market, Wilson’s Bakery and Cafe and Peggy Mercury.
The full list of quilts is online with details on how to purchase.
