By Satina Tolman
For The New Era
When Carol Kilfoil talks about quilting, her eyes brighten and her smile widens, as if the fabric itself holds a secret joy only she can unlock.
For the past 25 years, Kilfoil has stitched together more than just fabric. Her quilts preserve memories, honor veterans and wrap loved ones in warmth that feels as personal as a hug.
Eighteen of her colorful and expressive creations are now on display at Sweet Home City Hall, where SHOCASE of Sweet Home is hosting an exhibit through Oct. 15.
The public may view the quilts any time during City Hall’s normal operating hours. If anyone wants to meet and visit with Kilfoil, an open house artist reception with light refreshments will be held Monday, Sept. 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. at City Hall, 3225 Main St.
“It’s exceptionally rewarding because you get this beautiful product at the end,” Kilfoil said. “I like the process, but I also really like the product. They’re cuddly, not many art forms are cuddly.”
A lifelong maker
Kilfoil grew up in Huntington Beach, Calif., before earning a degree in home economics from California State University, Long Beach. She has been sewing clothes for herself and her mom since the sixth grade. After moving to Oregon with her husband in 1986, she spent three decades teaching, first foods and child development, then later business and banking skills, in Salem-area high schools. She retired in 2015, but her hands never stilled.
Her quilting journey began with a nudge from friends in a long-time scrapbooking group.
“When my girlfriend said, ‘Hey, why don’t we quilt?’ I thought that sounded like a good idea,” Kilfoil recalled with a laugh.
Since then, her quilting has transformed from a hobby to an art form. Her sunken living room is now a quilting studio, home to the longarm machine her mother gave her when Kilfoil retired. Quilting a king-size quilt can take her two weeks of steady work; a baby quilt might come together in a day.
Kilfoil finds joy in the creative process of choosing the patterns and fabrics.
“Quite often, the colors and tones of the fabric make the design of the quilt,” she said. “It’s really important how you select the fabrics.”
Quilts with meaning
Kilfoil’s most cherished works aren’t the ones she has kept, but the ones she has given away. Her most favorite quilts she has ever made are all ones she has gifted to others.
She has crafted several memory quilts, using clothing from loved ones who have passed away to create precious keepsakes for grieving families she knows and loves.
“The most rewarding ones are the memory quilts,” Kilfoil said. “They bring great comfort to those grieving, as they can feel wrapped in the love of their family member they lost.”
One project especially stands out: After a former student’s husband died in a hunting accident, Kilfoil offered to transform his shirts into quilts. She eventually made five; one for the widow, three for their daughters and one for the mother-in-law.
The families give her shirts and clothing of their dearly departed and Kilfoilf takes great care in the process.
“I sit with them and let them speak to me, and then figure out how to put them together into a cohesive cuddle quilt,” she said. “It meant a tremendous amount to them.”
Honoring service
For Kilfoil, quilting is also a way to give back to those who served. In 2019, she became one of the first members of the Salem Star Valor Quilters of Oregon, a chapter of the national Quilts of Valor Foundation.
The national foundation began in 2003 when Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed to Iraq, envisioned a quilt as a way to bring comfort to a soldier in despair. From that vision grew a national grassroots movement of volunteer quilters who have since awarded nearly 400,000 quilts to veterans and service members across the United States. Each quilt is unique, registered with the foundation and ceremoniously presented as a once-in-a-lifetime award.
The Salem Star chapter was founded in 2019 by Mary and Jeff Williams, owners of Will-N-Bee’z Quilt and Coffee Shoppe in Salem. What began with about 10 quilters has grown to about 50 members who have presented almost 1,000 quilts in just six years.
“It’s a way of saying, ‘Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor,’” Kilfoil said.
For Kilfoil, one of the most meaningful moments was making a Quilt of Valor for her husband Dennis, a Vietnam veteran. His quilt, a richly patterned piece, is featured in the City Hall exhibit.
“I’ve always felt strongly about honoring veterans, but being able to present my own husband with one of these quilts was something special,” she said.
Kilfoil served as the chapter’s secretary, taking care of administrative duties. Every chapter registers every quilt with the national organization, and there is a very specific way to do this. Even though she is no longer secretary, Kilfoil has always been in charge of that important role and will continue to do so.
An art and a joy
Of the hundreds of quilts Kilfoil has made, she said her favorites are the ones she has given away as treasured gifts. One of the quilts she is proudest of that is on display in the exhibit is one she made for her mother in shades of turquoise, blue and purple. The quilt features a decorative “flange binding,” which adds a slim accent of color along the edge for a dimensional finish.
She also counts among her favorites a labyrinth quilt she created as a duvet cover for her oldest son, as well as an elaborate wedding gift for her younger son and his wife. That quilt, stitched in blues, turquoises and white, featured swirling patterns that reminds her of water and reflected the couple’s shared love of swimming and water polo.
When she speaks of her quilts, Kilfoil radiates both humility and joy.
She insists she never thought of herself as an artist until a friend pointed it out. But standing among the rows of vibrant quilts now hanging in Sweet Home City Hall, it’s hard to see her as anything else.
“Quilting is a good way to be creative,” Kilfoil said. “I’ve learned so much over the years. And I just love that, in the end, you have something beautiful to share.”
The quilt exhibit can be viewed during City Hall’s regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.