'Quilt Lady' Returns to Old Poway Park

Back by popular demand, “the Quilt Lady”—also known as fabric artist Criss Stern—will demonstrate the art of quilting in the historic Porter House of Old Poway Park beginning Saturday, Feb. 4.

“To be in the Porter House, it’s just a very inspiring, magical place to work,” Stern said. “When people come in, I have all my quilts hanging up on the walls and my machine is usually running so they can see that. There’s a beautiful pueblo-styled fireplace in there and the windows are open [so] you can hear the birds singing. They come in and it’s a pleasant place to be.”

Stern is returning for the second year of the Artist In Residence program— presented by the Poway Arts & Crafts Guild and the city of Poway—that allows visitors to observe and interact artists at work.

“It’s fun to share my craft with them and explain to them how it’s done,” Stern said. “It’s inspiring to have people come in there and be excited about what I do.”

Visitors can view the progress of Stern’s creative work in a studio environment at the interactive event instead of observing completed compositions displayed at art exhibits. 

“The interesting thing is that there’s something there for the whole family,” said Valerie Ann Bailey, founder of Poway Arts & Crafts Guild. “The kids like the subjects of the quilt, [like] if she’s doing a quilt that uses a train seam. Women are usually interested in the patch work in the quilting and the coloring themselves. It’s fascinating to see how everybody relates to it individually.”

Stern said the male visitors are typically interested in the machines, such as the long arm sewing machine and robotic stitcher.

“The guys really enjoy the quilting machine because they think of it as a power tool — it’s a great big, huge machine that works back and forth on a computer by itself and so, they’re pretty enthralled and interested in that.”

Last year, Stern saw about 35 to 50 visitors per day when there were no rainy weather conditions.

The artist’s studio will open to the public through March between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays at Old Poway Park. For more details, visit the city's website. 

The program’s commencement coincides with the Boardwalk Craft Market, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month until May. For more information, visit the city's website.

A week before these events starts, there will be a comedic performance by Chris Clobber at 7:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. Admission to the men’s club fundraiser costs $25 for advanced reserved ticket and $30 at the door. The event is at the Temple Adat Shalom, which is located at 15905 Pomerado Rd., Poway, CA. Visit the Temple's website for details and tickets.