Debbie Swiderski of Bowling Green has a passion for quilting, often finishing in a couple of weeks or even days. Photo by Clinton Lewis

Debbie Swiderski has a passion for quilting. The Bowling Green woman often gets so involved with her work that she can usually make a quilt in two weeks. She has even been known to sew one together in a few days. The secret is organization. The hardest part is getting prepared and cutting it all out. I have to plan my material out, she said, standing in her sewing room, holding up an unfinished colorful creation that will be made of 390 squares. I need to know the size bed Im making it for so that I will know exactly what Im going to be working with. Swiderskis quilts are originals. She has sewn more than 100 of them. Every quilt is different depending on who I make it for, she said, her sewing area filled with quilting books and materials stacked neatly in containers. I put the date on the back, who its to and who its from and I give them written instructions on how to take care of and wash their quilt. She makes her own patterns, using blanket batting to help them last longer and old-fashioned cotton sheeting on the back to help the quilt hold its shape. Its important to preserve our heritage. A quilt is something that everyone treasures, she said. Youre taking the time to do it, and people can have it for years. She even makes accessories, such as pillows and teddy bears, to match her wares. I always make pillows to go with all my quilts, she said. Its nice if you want to lay on the couch, curl up in an oversized chair or if the kids want to lie on the floor and watch TV. It accentuates the quilts. I like pillows. Once or twice a week, Swiderski goes to estate sales and antiques stores looking for old quilts and materials..See, I put a new back on it. You can see the pattern here, she said as she ran her hands gently across a faded quilt she believes is 40 or 50 years old. I washed it in the bathtub very carefully because of the material and let it air dry. Although she has enjoyed sewing since taking home economics classes from seventh to 12th grades, Swiderski didnt really start quilting until about 32 years ago when she married. My grandma showed me how to quilt. She was doing a cathedral quilt, she said of the entirely hand-sewn, intricate design. She continued quilting after she and her family moved from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Bowling Green more than a year ago. It was shortly after the move that she met Alice Winkenhofer, who lived across the street at the time. When we moved here she befriended us, Swiderski said. She helped us adjust to Bowling Green. Swiderskis talent prompted Winkenhofer to introduce her to the Briarwood Homemakers Club. She is talented and crafty with the way she keeps her home and crafts and quilts, Winkenhofer said. I think shes a dear lady. Margaret Saxton, president of the Briarwood Homemakers Club, agreed. Its amazing that she can turn out as much work as she does. She has much to be proud of, she said of Swiderskis quilting. Shes an inspiration to all of our 20 members. Were not quite as adept at it. Swiderski has displayed her work in shows, but now prefers to give her quilts as gifts or barter them. You might have something I like such as a house set or an old doll. You get your moneys worth, she said. Its hard to put a price on a quilt youve made. Its nicer to barter. Besides, Swiderski isnt in quilting for the money. She said she wants to one day teach others about the craft for free. I really enjoy it. Even when I was working full time, I still made time to quilt because I enjoyed it, she said. Its relaxing and rewarding. I encourage anyone to get involved in some kind of quilting. You feel such a pride in yourself and your work when you hand it over to the person you made it for.