Posted: 3/5/03

Klosner brings new life to old squares

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer
Every square, every stitch of Angela Klosnerís quilt tells a story.

It tells the story of her great grandmother, Margaret Donnelly Geehan.

Born on February 11, 1897 of Irish descent, she was married to James Geehan, and together the couple had three sons.

The Irish woman learned the craft of sewing at an early age and used her talents to sew clothes for her family.

Perhaps she was too busy, making work clothes, maybe that is why she never finished the quilt she started so long ago.

Squares, done in the Log Cabin quilt style were packed away in a box.

When she died, those quilt squares went to her youngest son and his wife, Klosnerís grandma and grandpa. Then, seeing the squares could make something beautiful, Sue Klosner took them.

Still, the squares sat, until recently.

The Forest Lake High senior never had sewed before. Unlike her great grandmother, Klosner did not learn sewing at a young age. Still, she signed up for Marilyn Orlichís sewing design and production class last semester.

Her first time at a sewing machine, the projects started simply. For the major end of term project, she had the option of making a quilt.

So she got out that box of 16îx16î quilt squares and set to work on the intricate project.
More than an attempt to get a good gradeóshe got an A for her workómaking the quilt was about preserving her familyís heritage.

ìI didnít want to screw it up,î Klosner said. ìI didnít want to cut the squares.î
Though everything was not perfectly even, Klosner retained the integrity of the squares. She used them as is, without nipping or adding.

She bought fabric to trim the edges, choosing lavender and sage green cotton to complement the squares. Remembering when the quilt would have been done, she used muslin for the quilt backing.

ìMuslin looks old and feels old,î she explained.

The youngest of Margaretís sons is the man Angela now calls grandpa.
Once the quilt and the pillows Klosner created from the squares is removed from display case at Forest Lake High School, the quilt will have a new home.

ìIím giving it to my grandma and grandpa,î she said.

Klosner said her family is glad she finally did something with the squares which were stitched so long ago.

ìThey appreciate it because really no one has done anything with it,î she said.

Sewing is something the daughter of Steve and Sue Klosner, Forest Lake, said she plans to continue.

ìIíve made pillows and blankets for my friends,î she said. ìI love sewing in my free time.î
After graduation, Klosner said she plans to attend Moorhead State University where she will major in elementary education.

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