“I saw it on Pinterest,” is often heard as Gail Lewis displays her colorful pieces of art at the of the Mineral County Cabin Fever Quilters Guild monthly meetings.

The membership is pleased and proud to announce that Lewis is this year’s Featured Quilter. 

Nearing retirement, she took a quilting class in 2001 and became hooked on what was to be a hobby but may have become an obsession. She often looks to Pinterest for ideas and to figure out the pattern where she then adds her own flair and vibrant twist. Rarely does she purchase patterns, but instead designs her own by observing an image, figuring out the pattern and then recreating it in the size she wants.

Gail and her husband, Dave, moved to Mineral County in 2017 and a year later she became a member of the Cabin Fever Quilting Guild. Dave like anything mechanical and felt that he needed new tools to work alongside Gail becoming her exclusive in-house long-arm quilter and embroiderer. Dave will tell you it was to save money with him doing this work rather than sending it out to be completed. The Lewises are a unique treasure for this area.

One could call Gail’s quilting style a reflection of her personality; bright, bold and beautiful. She is a big-time animal lover and you’ll see many of her collections from animal patterns in non-traditional techniques from applique to paper-piecing. Never one who has wanted to be in the limelight she’ll tell you, “I get my inspiration from the ladies in my quilting guild.”

Gail’s history and experience of jewelry creation, painting, sewing garments for her family as a young mother, and creating stained glass art provided a seamless transition into the world of quilting. 

She tells the story of her worse quilting disaster where she made a queen-size quilt and then laid it on the bed. That’s when she noticed that she placed one of the squares in the wrong place. She never fixed it or used that quilt. But with her positive attitude, she often shares with new quilters, “Your quilts do not have to be perfect. Enjoy the process and make sure that you are having fun!” 

She keeps new goals on the horizon with a landscape quilt and a Judy Neimeyer pattern on her list for future endeavors.

“The Cabin Fever Quilters Guild is extremely excited to showcase the works of Gail Lewis this year and will observe others who will become inspired by her eclectic sense of style,” states Naomi Mesenbrink, quilt show chairperson. 

The 2024 quilt show theme is emphasized by Gail and Dave Lewis, as this long-married team exhibits the value of handmade art with functionality as it becomes a family heirloom. The exposition will be held in Superior High School Friday, August 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 in conjunction with the Mineral County Fair.  

Meet Gail and Dave along with other members of the guild whether you quilt or not as the presentation is a sea of vibrant creativity that is a major draw to the fair.