Jeri Hight is a quilter who enjoys perfecting her art. The fact that her quilts have won ribbons and honors nine times confirms it. Many of her award-winning quilts will be on display at the Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club’s annual quilt show July 16-18.

As a military wife, she has lived in many parts of the country and learned the styles of quilting unique to those regions.

"I have always enjoyed handwork and our tour in Hawaii in 1973 exposed me to appliqué on a grand scale. I was hooked. I have made three Hawaiian quilts. A king-size Hawaiian quilt is entirely hand-appliquéd and quilted, taking me about eight months to complete," Hight said.

A ‘Sue’ since ’97

"I joined Sunbonnet Sue in 1997. I also have been privileged to be on the ground floor in the founding of The Appliqué Society or TAS. I cannot overemphasize the value of the association of other quilters and the feedback they can offer.

"The best suggestion I would give to other quilters would be to enter competitions. Winning awards has given me so much confidence and encouragement. But in all honesty, the honor that means the most to me is the one the club has bestowed on me by choosing me their 2010 featured quilter. Thank you!"

Although Hight has made about eight large bed quilts, most of her work is considerably smaller. Being a snowbird and living in a motor home six months of the year brings some restrictions. To overcome this, she takes stacks of projects with her that are smaller and more easily handled. Upon returning to Sequim in the spring, she works these smaller pieces into some of her

larger projects.

"My challenges always have been to improve my work, take on different techniques and make them my own. My biggest goal ahead will be when I take on appliqué quilting by machine after 30 years of handwork. It’s time!"