OTHELLO — She had been sewing since she was just a kid. But after the death of her first husband, quilting became the “perfect hobby” Karen Norton needed to fill her time.

During the month of January, Norton’s quilts may be enjoyed by the public at the Old Hotel and Art Gallery. She is the Gallery’s January Artist of the Month.

Norton has been quilting the past 14 years and has completed about 200 quilts. She is also a teacher for the Old Hotel’s Quilting Class Block of the Month which is a free class that takes place on the second Thursday of every month.

“I enjoy quilting very much,” she said.

Norton said she loves all of the different aspects of quilting and for different reasons. Everything, from choosing fabric to watching the colors and patterns play together, is an enjoyable process to her.

“I try to learn something new with every quilt,” she said.

Norton tends to gravitate towards the 3-D patterns. She likes to try out new colors and patterns each time. Each quilt is unique and one-of-a-kind, which she believes to be part of what determines the cost of a hand-made quilt.

Norton started sewing as a kid. She was bored one day and looking for something to do.

“I started playing with my mom’s sewing machine,” she said.

Norton began with different garments and clothing projects.

After the passing of her husband years later, Norton once again found herself needing something to do to fill the time. So she borrowed some fabric and supplies from a friend and found her love for quilting.

Quilts make for good gifts, Norton said, and she particularly enjoys giving them for graduations, baby showers and birthdays.

For anyone who would like to see and/or purchase a quilt, Norton has a Facebook page called Quilts For Sale By Karen.