MUSEUM EXHIBITS PATCHWORK ART; VENTURA'S QUILT DISPLAY NOT MERELY ATTRACTION FOR SQUARES.Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Community Columnist Stitches in time are saved in nine - patches that is - in ``Handmade History: Quilts of Ventura County'' at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art, featuring quilts dating as far back as 1840. Nine-patch is only one of the patterns used to create some of the remarkable quilts on display in the Hoffman Gallery through the end of March. The nine pattern is a square made up of nine smaller fabric patches. A variety of stitchery and techniques are exhibited - charm quilts and crazy quilts, a quilted kimono kimono Garment worn by Japanese men and women from the Early Nara period (645–724) to the present. The essential kimono is an ankle-length gown with long, full sleeves and a V-neck. and even an American flag quilt dating back to 1917. Sharon Norbutas lends a contemporary twist to the homespun pastime. Her ``Window in the Wall'' creation moves quilting quilting, form of needlework, almost always created by women, most of them anonymous, in which two layers of fabric on either side of an interlining (batting) are sewn together, usually with a pattern of back or running (quilting) stitches that hold the layers from the position of age-old craft to the station of modern art. Norbutas is credited with developing an unusual bias technique that she liberally incorporates in her work. She is reluctant to accept credit for her development. ``There's nothing new under the sun, as far as I know,'' Norbutas said. The quilter expanded an E-shaped quilting bias technique she had seen, turning it into a more elaborate form. Her invention added movement and life to her use of a popular stars motif. A double-bending bias and an overall pattern of 60-degree equilateral e·qui·lat·er·al adj. Having all sides or faces equal. n. 1. A side exactly equal to others. 2. A geometric figure having all sides equal. curved triangles virtually obliterate o·blit·er·ate v. 1. To remove an organ or another body part completely, as by surgery, disease, or radiation. 2. To blot out, especially through filling of a natural space by fibrosis or inflammation. any block lines. Dramatic use of light and color draw the eye away from the individual fabric pieces, shifting the focus to the design as a single unit. As an activity, quilting speaks to a wide range of participants. ``It's gratifying grat·i·fy tr.v. grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing, grat·i·fies 1. To please or satisfy: His achievement gratified his father. See Synonyms at please. 2. to see so many people interested in quilting,'' said Tim Schiffer, the museum curator. Ed Robings, the museum's executive director, added that typically, entire quilting groups turn out to view the Hoffman Gallery displays. Schiffer said that men and women of all ages are visiting the exhibit, and he is not at all surprised that a number of working professional people are among the quilting enthusiasts. Some other highlights of the show are a modern quilt titled ``Apples for the Teacher,'' two crazy quilts, a large watercolor quilt and the American flag quilt. ``Apples for the Teacher'' was presented to Hiroko Yoshimoto by her Color and Design for Quilters class at Ventura College Ventura College is a California-state funded community college located in Ventura, California. Established in 1925, the college has a 112-acre campus with an enrollment of 13,000 students. The college is part of the Ventura County Community College District. . The 1997 quilt features a series of stylized styl·ize tr.v. styl·ized, styl·iz·ing, styl·iz·es 1. To restrict or make conform to a particular style. 2. To represent conventionally; conventionalize. apples. Using a paper-piecing technique, each student created and signed a block. A crazy quilt created with neckties and another showing off wording and wild stitchery lend an air of whimsy whim·sy also whim·sey n. pl. whim·sies also whim·seys 1. An odd or fanciful idea; a whim. 2. A quaint or fanciful quality: stories full of whimsy. to the collection. The Sally Lou Nesbitt watercolor quilt reflects the view outside the maker's window. The softly hued hued adj. Having a given hue, aspect, or character. Often used in combination: rosy-hued; dark-hued. picture, enclosed by a green fabric window frame, is made up of 2,177 pieces. Each piece measures slightly larger than an inch across. The grandmother of Judge J.S. Willbrandt of Carpinteria fashioned the American flag quilt for her soldier grandson. Each of the 48 stars on the flag was embroidered em·broi·der v. em·broi·dered, em·broi·der·ing, em·broi·ders v.tr. 1. To ornament with needlework: embroider a pillow cover. 2. with a state name and year of entry into the Union. An unfinished quilt circa 1880 stands on a rack in the center of the gallery. Through the end of March, members of the Ventura Quilters are meeting weekly, adding modern touches to ``Fruit Basket.'' Tuesday, museum visitors can witness quilting in action. Other noteworthy quilts in the exhibit are ``Cathedral Window'' by Bernice Weil, and ``Stars and Stripes'' by Cheryl Amestoy. Weil created her quilt from 13 years of cloth left over from shirts she sewed for her children. ``Stars and Stripes'' is a wonderful stitched and hand-painted kimono. All of the elements of the American flag are enough to stir spontaneous patriotism. Depression-era quilts, decorative throws, sewing notions and quilt memorabilia fill the balance of the gallery space and spill over Verb 1. spill over - overflow with a certain feeling; "The children bubbled over with joy"; "My boss was bubbling over with anger" bubble over, overflow seethe, boil - be in an agitated emotional state; "The customer was seething with anger" 2. to the museum entryway. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Monday. Admission is $3 for adults. For children 16 and under, and museum members, admission is free. The Ventura County Museum of History and Art is located at 100 E. Main St. in Ventura. Information: (805) 653-0223. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Ventura Quilters members, from left, Arlene Stephens, Ruby Drapeau, Nelda Beem, Patty Latourell and Peggy Watson sew pieces at the county museum. (2--Color) Visitors to the Ventura County Museum of Art and History admire lively patterned quilts, some dating to 1840, on display at the Hoffman Gallery. Michael Owen
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