This month’s R.H. Johnson Library quilt was created by Patricia Casey of the Palo Verde Patchers. It will be in the library through December.

This is an example of hand reverse appliqué, hand embroidery, machine piecing, machine quilting. While in traditional appliqué, one sews a shape on top of a background fabric, in reverse appliqué one makes a hole in a top layer fabric to reveal a glimpse of a background fabric and painstakingly sewn.

“The title of my quilt is long, but it has been a long journey to get it done,” stated Casey.

Mee Vang was a Hmong artist in Seattle. Due to an industrial accident, she lost many of her hand and foot digits, which would prevent her from creating any more of these handsewn PnDhau/pandau panels and her Village Story embroidery.

“I purchased many of these panels from Mee in 1994 to help her financially. They remained in a safe trunk until 2022 when I was encouraged by a friend to make something with them. This is my tribute to Mee,” added Casey.

To finish the quilt, Brenda Drake, also of Palo Verde Patchers, custom quilted for Casey, who started quilting in Seattle in 1991.

“I had many wonderful teachers, too many to mention. I worked part-time at In The Beginning Quilt Shop and was assistant manager of Quiltworks Northwest,” stated Casey.

Casey and her husband moved to Sun City West in 1998 and she has been a member of the Palo Verde Patchers since January of this year.

“Better late than never,” she stated, adding she is happy she was encouraged to join the club.

Visit patchers.scwclubs.com or call Kathleen McCulloch at 248-390-0990 for more information about the club.