Quilters stitch up state seal

POST FALLS, Idaho – Post Falls Police Chief Cliff Hayes originally considered purchasing a metal or wooden reproduction of Idaho’s state seal to hang above the fireplace in the lobby of the Post Falls Police Department.

“There was nothing to be had close to realistic in expense,” Hayes said. So he got creative.

Hayes called Post Falls resident and quilter Pat Raffee, who volunteered to organize a group of quilters to piece together a state seal quilt.

A team of 15 women spent more than a year crafting the 12-foot-by-12-foot quilt that now hangs in the department’s lobby.

They got rave reviews displaying the quilt at the county fair and now they’re awaiting word on whether it made the cut for a juried quilt show this fall in Seattle.

Hayes said the quilt has also garnered a lot of comments from visitors to the station.

“People are very impressed by the exquisite workmanship,” Hayes said.

When he began researching the history of Idaho’s state seal, Hayes learned it’s the only one in the U.S. designed by a woman. He was so intrigued that he put together brochures on the history of the seal and the designer, Emma Edwards Green. Her design was adopted by the Legislature in 1891.

Quilter Shirley Arthur said she didn’t hesitate to say yes when asked to work on the quilt, completed last summer.

“I love Idaho and I’ve been here since 1966,” the Post Falls woman said. “I’m a quilter. I love quilts. I thought it was a great project.”

The quilters met at the police station. They discussed ways to simplify the design, like making the woman’s dress longer so they wouldn’t have to do her feet and sandals. They decided to let the fabrics do much of the work – using fabric printed with rocks, fruits and vegetables to represent those elements of the design.

Raffee said she hopes the quilt is the first of many to be displayed in local government buildings.

“I wanted to use this opportunity to showcase how beautiful quilts can be,” Raffee said.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Cars move across Edgewater Bridge toward Everett on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edgewater Bridge redo linking Everett, Mukilteo delayed until mid-2024

The project, now with an estimated cost of $27 million, will detour West Mukilteo Boulevard foot and car traffic for a year.

Lynn Deeken, the Dean of Arts, Learning Resources & Pathways at EvCC, addresses a large gathering during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Cascade Learning Center on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
New EvCC learning resource center opens to students, public

Planners of the Everett Community College building hope it will encourage students to use on-campus tutoring resources.

Everett Police Chief Dan Templeman announces his retirement after 31 years of service at the Everett City Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett police chief to retire at the end of October

Chief Dan Templeman announced his retirement at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. He has been chief for nine years.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume in October

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

A memorial for a 15-year-old shot and killed last week is set up at a bus stop along Harrison Road on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teen boy identified in fatal shooting at Everett bus stop

Bryan Tamayo-Franco, 15, was shot at a Hardeson Road bus stop earlier this month. Police arrested two suspects.

Lynnwood
Fatal 2-car crash closes Highway 99 in Lynnwood

Police closed off Highway 99 between 188th Street SW and 196th Street SW while they investigated.

Mike Bredstrand, who is trying to get back his job with Lake Stevens Public Works, stands in front of the department’s building on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Bredstrand believes his firing in July was an unwarranted act of revenge by the city. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens worker was fired after getting court order against boss

The city has reportedly spent nearly $60,000 on attorney and arbitration fees related to Mike Bredstrand, who wants his job back.

Chap Grubb, founder and CEO of second-hand outdoor gear store Rerouted, stands inside his new storefront on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, in Gold Bar, Washington. Rerouted began as an entirely online shop that connected buyers and sellers of used gear.  (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Used outdoor gear shop Rerouted finds a niche in Gold Bar

Seeking to keep good outdoor gear out of landfills, an online reselling business has put down roots in Gold Bar.

Naval Station Everett. (Chuck Taylor / Herald file)
Everett man sentenced to 6 years for cyberstalking ex-wife

Christopher Crawford, 42, was found guilty of sending intimate photos of his ex-wife to adult websites and to colleagues in the Navy.

Most Read