Born in Burlington, Wis., to Mexican migrant workers, she was raised by her grandmother in Texas from whom she learned to sew.

But it wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she began quilting.

Traditional quilts use fabric, mostly cotton and wool as the base, as other fabric pieces are sewn on to make patterns and designs. Avila, however, says she has been using other materials as well.

“In the last ten years or so, I’ve been using a lot of freezer paper and glue,” she explains. “In traditional quilts, all the piecing has to fit (in squares, like a puzzle), but I rarely make quilts that fit anymore.

Avila says everyday life inspires her, and when it does, she begins the meticulous process of drawing the design on paper, gluing it onto the fabric and removing it just before she pieces and sews fabric onto the quilt.

“When I draw, I want to eventually transfer it onto fabric,” she explains. “The material becomes my crayon or color.”

Now at 61, Avila displays her quilts at shows around the country and teaches quilting at universities. Some of her quilts were also purchased by the University of Notre Dame for a study of Latin arts and artists in the Midwest. Avila has lived in Milwaukee for 42 years with her husband.

Roberta Williams

Roberta Williams’ art is evidence of intertwining of interests and hobbies. “I use the photographs I take and turn them into quilts,” she explains. “My inspiration is definitely my love of birds.”

Williams calls the peacock quilt named “But Can He Sing?” her lucky charm, as this quilt alone has earned her numerous awards and recognitions such as the Grand Prize for Quilts at the Bernina University Show in Chicago in 2005, the Viewers’ Choice and Second in Country at the Mancuso World Quilt Show in Manchester, New Hampshire,

and also won the Viewers’ Choice award at the Schaumberg, IL Quilt Show in 2006.

Her style ranges from traditional to art quilting, with the art quilts displaying representational then abstract, and her embellishments use free motion embroidery.

Williams is a member of the American Quilters Society and the International Quilters Association, and is also involved with several quilting groups in the state.

An all-round artist who draws, paints, beads and makes clothing, Nora Rader explains she likes to travel and is inspired by nature. Indeed, simple sights such as waves or trees are depicted by impressive geometric patterns and captivating color palettes marked by bright pinks or deep browns.

“The things you can do with fabric are endless, and once you’re done, you have something warm to wear,” she quips with a laugh.

Rader describes herself as a traditionalist who likes to machine quilt. “I love color,” she explains. “And my designs can be as simple as circles or as complicated as appliqué.

She says she likes to travel and is inspired by nature. Some of her more recent quilts, she explains, are inspired by a trip to the Galapagos Islands last spring.

“The palette is very colorful but stark,” she explains. “I’ve combined the gorgeous blues of the oceans and the stark grays and blacks of the lava.”

Born and raised in Indiana, Rader has lived in Wales, WI for 14 years

She is president of the Wisconsin Quilters, Inc., and is also affiliated with the Lake Country Quilters, the American Quilters Society and the International Quilters Association. She also teaches quilting at workshops in Wisconsin.

An “infatuation with all things textile” is what keeps Maribeth Schmit involved with quilting. Her characteristic bright colors, elaborate borders and simple designs have won her many ribbons and awards even internationally in Indonesia and Luxembourg.

She lived and taught in Puerto Rico and Indonesia before moving to Cedarburg in 1994, and has a keen interest in Welsh and Durham quilts.