Camille Romig is the lead artist with the Community Threads program at the Kutztown Library.

“I have this little idea,” she told some friends at the library one day. “We can make a community art quilt. It will incorporate material from families who use the library, as a place for dialogue and creativity.”

The project was approved and 20 people became involved, including one little boy, Eduardo, who came one winter afternoon to watch. Eduardo was asked if he wanted to join the group.

“He did,” Romig said, adding he did a really careful job.

His mom and sister were pleased with his work, Romig noted.

The quilt has 380 blocks, all hand-stitched. A double helix design, as found in DNA, was appliquéd over the blocks.

The idea was to bring the community together just as the fabric donated by community members became one.

All people have individual histories and cultures, as the quilt does, Romig explained.

Size 8 pearl cotton thread was used and a running stitch replaced the quilting stitches. Buttons completed the front of the design.

The backing is a tapestry from Romig’s Texas grandmother, Faye Eaton, who sewed tapestries and curtains.

Romig said when the light the quilt it looks like stained glass when one looks at the backing from beneath.

Yong Park, who came to America from Korea in 1978, brought along pieces of cloth with beautiful embroidery.

One piece has an embroidered butterfly.

Her move to this country was long enough ago that Park feels she belongs to Kutztown.

“I wanted to do this for the community,” Park said. “Everyone has been so nice.”

A reception to introduce the quilt to the community took place on Aug. 12.

The group also made quilted cards and bookmarks that were for sale at the reception.

“We are going to continue stitching,” Romig said. “It is a very democratic project.”

Library Director Janet Yost also told The Press that Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts helped make boxes for mini-libraries to be placed throughout the community.