Stitching together Faith and Creativity
Rev. Portia’s Award-Winning Quilt Embarks on National Tour
In the heart of Wisconsin’s quilting community, Rev. Portia Corbin, the part-time vicar at St. John’s in New London, has made a name for herself with a beautiful and distinctive quilt showcased at the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Her piece was chosen as part of the "Quilt Challenge Exhibit," with this year's challenge focused on creating quilts using black and white, plus one additional color. “I chose yellow as my other color for no particular reason, except that I thought it would ‘pop!’” Rev. Portia shared.
Working on multiple projects simultaneously, Rev. Portia often switches between quilts, depending on inspiration. “It's next to impossible to know how long it took to make. I work on multiple quilts at the same time, and often switch when I get bored!” she explained. “All I can say is that many, many, many hours went into this quilt!”
The quilt itself is primarily crafted from cotton fabrics, with a unique twist: vintage doilies, one of which she hand-dyed black. “The one unique material used are vintage doilies: one of which I hand-dyed black,” she noted, emphasizing the individuality of her piece.
Each year, a panel of professionals selects which quilts will be exhibited in this special show. “All of the quilts that were chosen for the ‘black and white plus one challenge’ are traveling together as a special exhibit at other quilt shows across the country. My quilt will travel with the others for two years, although I don’t yet know where exactly it’s going to appear,” she said. She hopes to visit it in another city along its tour.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of her work, Rev. Portia expressed, “I hope that people look at my quilt (or any quilt really!) as a piece of unique art. For me, it serves as a reminder that we are co-creators with God and that our creativity can be expressed in millions of different and unique ways, and God delights in our creative works.”
“For me, it serves as a reminder that we are co-creators with God and that our creativity can be expressed in millions of different and unique ways, and God delights in our creative works.””
In her role as vicar and artist, Rev. Portia’s hands are always busy. “I am always working on many, many things. If I’m sitting in a meeting (or even diocesan convention), you can bet that I’ll have a needle and thread in my hand!” Her story and her quilt serve as an inspiring reminder to her congregation and beyond, celebrating creativity as a way to connect with the divine.
