Who’s Who in Pieced Together Quilters - Pat Bailey

Pat Bailey has been quilting for about ten years.  She first wanted to quilt for her son’s school as a fund raiser. All the kids in the class made a block and Pat quilted the project and it was raffled off.  In about 1997 a friend signed her up for an all night quilting class at Hancock Fabrics. She thought her friend was insane – ALL NIGHT! They made a bargello heart quilt.  She stayed all night and had a great time!  So great in fact that she joined  Kathy’s class on Thursday night but never took baby beginners.  Kathy never made her attend – REALLY!

Pat estimates she has made in the neighborhood of 75 quilts. She gives lots away but really never kept track of all her quilting. She makes at least six quilts a year for children’s organizations.  She is a member of African American Quilt Guild in Oakland and has a quilt in the Cinema Place Gallery in Hayward.  She has had her quilts in several galleries – one in Sacramento and one in Richmond called “40 Acres”. 

She worked at the de Young Museum during the Gee’s Bend exhibit.  She was able to meet the wonderful quilters from the show and even met a contributor to the “I Have A Dream” speech. 

Pat has two wonderful children Nicholas, who passed two years ago - a victim of senseless violence.  They donated Nicholas’ organs, saving four lives.  Such a wonderful sacrifice. Her daughter Kristen, has a full scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC, studying pre-med.  She is a freshman so this is her first time away from Mom! She loves it and is doing great. She’ll be home for the Christmas holidays making mommy very happy!

Pat grew up in Wewahitchka Florida, near the peninsula. She left at 17 right after high school to stay with her brother in Los Angeles. Her former spouse was a computer consultant so they moved to the Bay Area. She now lives in Hayward – all alone, just waiting for a grandchild!

A little know fact about Pat is was a cheerleader and jazz dancer for the school band and she was a homecoming princess. Our sweet Pat is such an outgoing girl – never meeting a stranger.