Metal tape, pipe-cleaners, glass ornaments, bubblewrap — these are not the kinds of things you’d imagine being on a quilt.

But that’s what sets the traditional quilt apart from some of the quilts that will be in the “Pins & Needles: Creative Quilting” exhibition at the Kings Art Center from Oct. 10Saturday to Nov. 28.

The exhibition will feature creative pieces by 15 Common Threads quilt guild members, said Hanford quilter Deolinda Rhoads.

Kings Art Center Curator John Robinson said the Common Threads quilt exhibit is always a popular exhibition that draws groups of quilters from around the Valley. He said quilters often enjoy examining the technical aspects of the quilt (stitching and design), while those who aren’t as familiar with quilting have a different reaction.

“They seem to be a bit surprised by the variety of approaches to the material,” Robinson said.

Hanford quilter Anna Koelewyn has only been making art quilts for two years, but says she now enjoys it more than traditional quilting.

“I think it’s the creativity of it; after a while you do so many traditional quilts you start to get bored,” said Koelewyn, who started quilting 11 years ago while home-schooling her children.

Many of her quilts come from ideas she learned in quilting classes provided by the guild. In one class she learned a technique of constructing a quilt to look like a photo.

The result is “Dreams of Yosemite,” which is based on a photo she took in Yosemite.

“In Dreams of Yosemite,” shades of red, brown, orange and green capture Yosemite’s fall foliage while shimmery beads give dimension and movement to a waterfall.

“It’s not a realistic portrait of it, it’s an interpretation,” Koelewyn said.

One of the challenges for art quilters is to incorporate the use of materials you might find around the house, such as washers, pipe cleaners, paper towels or cereal box cardboard.

Using “found materials” is something Rhoads likes to do to add a creative touch to her pieces. An added benefit is it also helps eliminate waste.

“I think it’s cool because instead of throwing it away you can use it for something else,” Rhoads said. “Our landfills are getting too full.”

Visalia quilter Adena Joseph said she fell in love with quilting 10 years ago. She said though she thinks making art quilts are fun, she also likes the practicality of traditional quilts.

“I still like making quilts to be used,” Joseph said. “I make a lot of quilts for my friends. It’s practical and it has a lot of love and time invested in it.”

Joseph, a Fresno State graduate student, will have four pieces in the exhibition. Included is a quilt called, “Getting Thru It,” which reflects the way she was feeling when she made it.

“I was trying to get through something very frustrating and I just happened to be working on that piece, so I named it that,” said Joseph of the quilt, which has a green and orange background with black fabric lines looping and intertwining over the surface.

Joseph said she hopes that people who come to the exhibition gain a deeper appreciation for quilting.

“I hope they are amazed by what we can do with fabric and thread,” Joseph said. “It’s just a lot of fun, and hopefully they can see that in our pieces and see that we have fun in what we do.”

(Oct. 9, 2009)