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For more than 50 years, Millie Lais, Magnolia, has been living out her favorite saying: "Life is like a patchwork quilt.”
She was honored over the weekend as the 2021 Blue Mound Quilters “Quilter of the Year,” with many of her classic pieces on display at the Hinkly House during Luverne’s Buffalo Days celebration.
By piecing together fabrics that otherwise mean nothing, Lais has created a hobby that gives her satisfaction and others a way to remember her when they're bundled in her decorative warmth.
"When I was a kid, I was fascinated by quilting," Lais was quoted as saying in a 1999 Star Herald feature story about her 30 years in quilting. "It was more frustrating then because the tools weren't around that you can get now.”
She remembers cutting patterns out of newspapers and magazines and trying to make sense of them. "Mom would let me use old fabric and sheets to get started on," she said.
Just the idea of being able to take pieces and make them into a finished product intrigued her.
Lais is a charter member of the Blue Mound Quilters, a club that meets once a month for quilting, swapping tips, trying a new project or watching presenters.
She was named Quilter of the Year as the first one honored with the new award because of her contributions to the art and to the club through the decades.
“Millie was our choice because we respect her as a person — she is a kind person who is always pleasant, enthusiastic and has great love for family,” Willers said.
“We respect her as an artist — she is imaginative, multitalented, and her quilting ability has grown throughout her quilting career.
“We also respect her as a teacher. She is willing to share her knowledge of quilting with others.”
As a member of the Blue Mound Quilters, Lais has helped make the quilts that decorate rooms at Luverne's Hospice Cottage and also the quilts that raise money for hospice through raffles.
She was one of the six quilters who made a historical hospice quilt many years ago. Her quilt was hand-quilted.
In honor of her 2021 Quilter of the Year Award, that 1999 feature story, written by then-Star Herald reporter Sara (Quam) Schmuck, is reprinted here:
Science of quilting
When Lais decides to tackle a quilting project, she first selects fabrics, which is an important step. Lais has taken classes in color theory to help the fabric-selection process be clearer.
"Color can make such a difference," Lais said. "Sometimes ladies will use the same pattern and the quilt looks totally different because of their color."
Once the fabric is chosen, Lais cuts it and sews together sections of the quilt called blocks. The blocks are then joined to make the quilt top, and the batting (stuffing) and backing are added to finish the project.
Lais said she prefers polyester batting because it washes well and dries fast. It doesn't shrink or change shape like wool or cotton can.
However, natural fibers are best in some cases. Lais said the fluffy, wrinkly look of an older quilt can be achieved by using cotton batting and washing after the quilt is completed.
The cotton will shrink slightly and pull away from the edges giving it the desired appearance.
Lais said she has quilted with many fabrics over the years and still prefers cotton. Flannel quilts are her favorite to cover up on the couch with, but any type of cotton is nice to the touch.
Polyester feels a little rougher so she uses that mainly for doll blankets. Lais has also joined in the trend of denim quilting, but it's not her favorite. Denim isn't very cozy and it's hard on the quilting needles, but she said her grandsons have denim quilts that are fine for them because denim is so durable.
Lais typically quilts from patterns, but she has dabbled in design, too. One creation is a Vikings lap quilt complete with Vikings colors, logo and other basic football graphics.
Stitching a legacy
Whatever quilt she makes, she includes either a penned signature or sews her personal label into the quilt, both with a date.
Lais said she gives most quilts away — for weddings, birthdays, graduations or other special occasions, but they aren't for sale.
"I can't make them for less than $150, not counting labor," Lais said. Handmade quilts in other parts of the country are regularly sold for as much as $1,000 but Lais said she couldn't get that price here.
Some quilts, however, Lais won't give away or sell. "I told my husband, 'When I'm gone the kids can fight over them.' There's some I just can't part with."
Lais can usually be found working on more than one project at any given time.
She said it keeps her from getting bored with looking at the same fabric or shapes for too long. For example, one of the first quilts she started when she was just 17 was finished more than 20 years later.
Lais knows that everyone who likes quilts won't be able to make their own. For the retail shopper looking for a quality quilt, she offers these tips:
•Look for a sturdy top material.
•Check that all the seams line up properly and are consistent throughout the pattern.
•Seams should have ample overlap to prevent pieces from separating or fraying at the seams after washing or through everyday wear.
•Quilts with round patterns are the most difficult to sew because there are no straight lines. Because of that, Lais said, the seams on those quilts should be carefully examined.
Some people have come to her for advice on old, tattered quilts that may have been in their family and people want restored. Lais said it's difficult to repair a torn or severely worn quilt because finding matching fabric with the aged look is nearly impossible.
To keep the quilt's integrity and to make sure family members can enjoy it, Lais suggests framing sections of the quilt to hang like a picture on a wall.
Lais said quilts made from various mismatched materials may be her personal favorite.
"With a scrap quilt, you look at it and every time it's different. You can see the fabric from an old sheet or dress and remember those things."
Lais has no plans for slowing down her hobby. If she has it her way, she'll continue blanketing the area with her warm quilts for many years.