Stitching Community: The Perry Piecemakers and the Living Art of the Hotel Pattee
- Ashley Anderson
- Nov 20
- 4 min read
Some art hangs on walls, meant only to be admired. But some art, like the quilts of the Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild, becomes part of the very fabric of a community.
When guests stay at the Hotel Pattee, they sleep beneath works of art that tell a story of heritage, collaboration, and the quiet beauty of creation done by many hands.
The partnership between the Hotel Pattee and the Piecemakers began after the 2021 Fiber Arts Festival, when Hotel Pattee General Manager Jenny Eklund approached guild member Pat Mundy about purchasing her Japanese inspired quilt for the hotel's Japanese Room. What started as a simple inquiry quickly sparked a larger vision: creating quilts that weren’t just beautiful, but intentionally designed to reflect the story, culture, and character of each themed guest room.
“We were thrilled to partner with the Hotel Pattee in this community project."
The idea resonated immediately with the guild. What followed was the beginning of a deeply collaborative effort; one that blended artistic skill, local history, and community pride into something far more meaningful than anyone first imagined.
When discussing the process with the Piecemakers they shared that each quilt “is pieced together by several members of our group and takes an average of 40 to 50 hours of actual needle-to-fabric time.” Once the top is assembled, the layers (top, batting, and backing) are stitched together by a long-arm quilter before being bound and labeled by hand. Every stage represents cooperation, trust, and pride.
The quilts are all machine-pieced, a decision rooted in both artistry and practicality. “Hand piecing and other techniques such as applique are not durable enough to sustain in a hotel setting,” they explained. A small team selects patterns and fabrics to present to the hotel and the rest of the guild for approval, then the team cuts and bags kits for each block. Dozens of hands touch each piece before it’s complete, a creative relay that mirrors the spirit of Perry itself.
That sense of shared effort runs deep. “Making each quilt is and was like a community,” the guild said. “People with different strengths help our town grow and move into the future. We had organizers and those with a vision. We had people who took that vision and broke it down into steps like finding a pattern, creating packets from locally selected fabrics, and the sewers making the vision tangible. The designers organized squares into a cohesive whole, finishing with the quilters and quilt binders.”
As with any creative collaboration, there were special moments that stand out. One that still lingers fondly is the Laying Ceremony for the Angus/Moran quilt, which included a special guest, Perry historian Larry Vodnik. He shared stories of the nearby town of Angus, Iowa, once a booming coal mining community of 6,000 people in the late 1800s. Two quilts from that era were displayed, including one over 100 years old, embroidered with the names of the women who made it. Though Angus no longer exists, its legacy endures because it stitched into cloth and carried forward by generations.
“That quilt continues the story,” one member reflected. “It helps identify the people who once called Angus, Iowa home.”
It’s a poignant reminder that quilts are more than warmth or ornamentation; they’re archives of memory, keeping history alive in thread and texture.
There’s a long standing bond between the Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild and the Hotel Pattee. Current member, Lois Royer, was part of the first restoration years ago, contributing a quilt and handmade napkins used in the dining room. “It’s kind of neat that our group was brought back in for this venture,” she said.
That renewed collaboration has strengthened not only the Hotel’s artistic legacy, but also the friendships among the quilters themselves. “Many of our members responded with feelings of pride to be part of this endeavor,” they said. “It was a real friendship builder within our group [and] inclusive for all members and skill levels.”
They even found humor and affection in the process: “Karen Taylor was nicknamed the Iron Maiden because she joined us just to press for everyone at a sewing machine.”
The Piecemakers now meet regularly at the Hotel, gathering every Wednesday to sew, learn, and laugh together. The atmosphere is one of collaboration and creativity, a weekly rhythm of art and friendship.
Looking ahead, the guild is already working on two new queen-sized quilts for the Mexican Room. “The Hotel staff, and especially Jenny, have been more than supportive of our group,” they said. “As we work together at the Hotel, we’ve made lasting friendships with each other and the wonderful staff. We’ve all learned new tricks and techniques and stretched out of our comfort zones to try something new.”
And they’re eager to invite others to join them:
“Perry, Iowa Piecemakers is a wonderful group of women who support and encourage all skill levels. We love fabric and quilting and truly want to share our knowledge with anyone, young or old. Jump in!”
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