Patchwork Of Passions -- Take In A Show, Join A Guild To See How Quilting Has Evolved From Sociable Craft To Colorful Art

"Quilts were special, even magical to me. They could heal and they could curse; they could capture history and affect the future; they could transform pain to celebration."

- Roland L. Freeman, author of "A Communion of the Spirits: African-American Quilters, Preservers, and Their Stories."

On a wintry evening made cozy by a roaring fire, sewing machines whir, steam curls up from teacups and you can barely hear yourself think above the din of conversation.

"Girlfriends, I've just returned from Hawaii and oh, have I got some fabrics to show you!"

"Before you do, I want to teach everyone how to do photo transfers. Take a look at how well mine turned out."

For the 17 women who make up the Pacific Northwest African-American Quilters Association, it is a time for quilting, gossiping and just being together.

Out of this monthly gathering, which celebrates its one-year anniversary in May, have come dozens of richly colored and textured quilts reflecting not only the member's heritage, but the resurgence of quilting as an art form.

In Washington state, there are more than 250 quilting guilds (no one calls them quilting bees anymore). The members are part of a growing national prominence in quilting among American women - and some men - spurred by an increasing demand for handmade items for decorating and collecting.

If you want to see an example of how this craft has blossomed into a highly respected art form as well as multimillion dollar business, check out Quilters Anonymous' annual quilt show, "Yesterday's Memories, Tomorrow's Treasures."

The show, which begins today and runs through this weekend at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, features 350 quilts including those of master Northwest quilter Maurine Roy. A merchants mall will feature hand-dyed cloth and silks, quilting supplies and demonstrations. Guilds perfect craft, link people

Shows are a way for artists to meet each other and see what's new in the world of quilting. But it is in the guilds, where groups of quilters splinter off and quilt together on a regular basis, where the craft of quilting is honed.

Some guilds target a particular quilting speciality such as applique or art-based quilts. Still others are general quilting groups in which novices would feel right at home.

These guilds also create a web of connections by binding people from different races, generations and geographical locations.

"Quilting is a type of networking, an environment where you can find out the best place to get your hair done or get advice on children," says Liz Warner, owner of Quiltworks Northwest, a quilting store in Bellevue.

"I really do believe women need this in their lives."

And if you thought quilting was only for little old ladies partial to rocking chairs and porches, think again. Defying stereotype, younger women are taking up quilting. Most are juggling careers and families.

Lynette Gallon-Harrell was a 31-year-old Seattle mother juggling a demanding full-time job, a baby and a major home remodel when she turned to quilting as a stress reliever. Now eight years later, Gallon-Harrell and her 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter piece quilts side by side.

Karen Brown, a member of Busy Bee Quilters of Snohomish, began quilting at age 30 after years of watching her mother create breathtaking quilts.

"We have a good group with plenty of friendships," she says. "Our meetings consist of a half-hour of business, then the rest is show-and-tell and lots of fun."

Gwen Maxwell-Williams resisted quilting for most of her life. But three years ago, at age 49, the Kirkland resident reluctantly acceded to the request of visiting relatives and drove to a local quilting shop.

Walking the aisles filled with bolts of cloth in seemingly every color, design and texture, she experienced a familiar sensation: love.

In the time since, the Kirkland resident has created 90 quilts, wall hangings and table runners.

A nursing administrative supervisor at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, Maxwell-Williams says quilting has been the one craft to combine everything she has learned in her life, from her degree in interior design to her innate sense of colors, textures and patterns. Quilts as art and history

In a culture where physical aesthetics, from the home to the office, are important, quilts are seen as another type of art, much like painting, sculpture and ceramics. A quilt from a well-known master quilter can command $5,000 or more.

Quilts serve as a way of preserving one's history. They often include fabric from clothing or a special memento. A popular technique now is photo transfers in which photographs become part of a quilt.

With their numbers estimated at 13 million nationwide, quilters have also become a hotly sought-after market, spending about $936 million a year on supplies, according to a study commissioned by quilt-book publishers Leman Publications.

The popularity of this craft is quite evident here in the Northwest, says Stephanie Weitlaus, a member of Quilters Anonymous and of a smaller group that meets in Seattle's Montlake area. In addition to the large number of quilting guilds in the state, many quilting stores have opened in recent years. And classes on quilting are being offered in venues ranging from community centers to local colleges.

"We're in the center of the quilting world," Weitlaus says. ------------------------------- QUILTERS' GUIDE

A 140-page directory, the "Kelley Guide" is a complete listing of quilting guilds (bees), stores and classes for the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. It's available from quilting stores for $7. Here are some other selected resources for quilters:

Associations and guilds:

-- Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters: A regional nonprofit organization of more than 650 quilters who meet regularly in small groups. A two-year membership is $25 and open to any quilter. For more information write to P.O. Box 22073, Seattle, WA 98122-0073, or call 206-622-2826.

-- Busy Bee Quilters of Snohomish: Call Darlene Lee at 360-435-2632 for information about the guild.

-- Contemporary Quilt Art Association is an organization geared toward professional artists who work in the quilt medium. Call Karen N. Soma for more information: 206-522-8541.

-- Pacific Northwest African-American Quilters Association: Call Gwen Maxwell-Williams for information about this guild that meets in homes in the Seattle area; 425-488-3735.

-- Quilters Anonymous meets monthly in Lynnwood. Call Mary Pierce, 360-794-9120, for more information. For more details on the 250 quilting guilds throughout the Puget Sound region, or for advice on setting up your own guild, contact Delayne LaVallie of Quilters Anonymous at 425-672-7708.

Quilting stores and classes

In The Beginning is one of the region's oldest quilting stores, offering beginning, intermediate and upper level quilting classes. 8201 Lake City Way N.E., Seattle; 206-523-8862.

Calico Cat is a quilt store offering all levels of quilting classes. 204 E. Main St., Auburn; 253-939-0885.

Quiltworks Northwest, 1014 116th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. This quilting store, known for its collection of batiks and African-inspired fabrics, offers up to 70 classes at various levels; 425-453-6005.

Lake Washington Technical College's continuing education program offers quilting classes in its textiles program. For information: 425-739-8112.

Quilting calendar:

Quilts from Nature is an all-day class on creating quilts using natural scenery. The class will be March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gold Beach Community Club on Vashon Island. To register, call 206-463-5131.

A Quilters Dream Weekend: Quilter's weekend retreat in May. For more information, write P.O. Box 112-62, Tacoma, WA 98411.

Great Pacific Northwest Quilt Show is July 26-28 at Seattle Center's Northwest Rooms. For more information, contact Jill Christenson at 206-622-2826.

Quilting By the Sound is a two-week quilting seminar featuring daily classes and teachers from as far away as South Africa. It is Oct. 7-20 at Port Townsend's Fort Worden. Call 206-236-5434 for information. ------------------------------- If you go:

"Yesterday's Memories, Tomorrow's Treasures": The state's largest quilting guild, Quilters Anonymous, holds its annual show, featuring about 350 quilts on display. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the Commercial Building at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Admission is $3, free for children 12 and younger. For more information, call Stephanie Weitlaus at 425-397-7682. Or check the Web site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/5698.