Petersburg Pilot

Quilt camp draws a new instructor

Keith Chaplin

August 19, 2010.

A five-day quilt camp last week had a milestone as the first male instructor showed off his work and shared techniques at the 10th annual camp.

As a dozen sewing machines buzzed inside the Holy Cross House on a sunny Friday afternoon, instructor John Flynn answered questions, gave suggestions and showed off a few of his ornate creations.

Flynn, who hails from Montana, held a “trunk show” on Thursday night for the participants. The 4 day camp also featured a raffle and classes for all skill levels.

As a rarity in the quilting world, Flynn, who has been quilting for 32 years and 20 years professionally has implemented some new techniques to the art of cutting things up and putting them back together again.

As a bridge builder before his quilting hobby became his profession, Flynn said there are some similarities in the two professions, although admitted the tools were much smaller.

With his engineering background, he has created a laser-cutting tool that makes precise cuts in the fabric for quilting.

Some of his perfectly cut squares were in use as campers attempted to recreate a pattern he designed.

For Sharon McKay, who was sewing pieces of fabric produced by Flynn’s laser cutter, quilt camp was a good way to learn techniques and the tools of the trade.

This year’s camp was her second, and she said she enjoyed it because it got her out of the house.

“I’m kind of a closet quilter,” McKay said with a laugh.

Others at Friday’s class had some of their own fabric and projects in mind, including Karen Nelson who was in the process of cutting out 4,000 pieces for a queen size quilt.

Nelson said attending quilting camp is a great way to learn new techniques, get new ideas and best of all, make some headway on a project enough to make sure it doesn’t become a “UFO” or unfinished object.

“You end up with a lot of cool ideas,” Nelson said.

For Flynn, this was his first time in Petersburg, although he has taught quilt classes in Hoonah, Elfin Cove, Sitka and Anchorage.

In Montana, Flynn said there is a large native influence on quilt patterns much like in Southeast.
He brought one of his creations, which depicts Sioux wedding rings.

Another one of his creations, which he made in 2000, shows a series of wheel of fortune type wheels in red white and blue that is a commentary of that year’s presidential election.

“It’s a good artistic outlet,” Flynn said. “And it’s fun to sew with other quilters.”