Applefest quilt featured in magazine

Warwick — When Warwick designer Louise LoPinto Hutchison created a T-shirt design for Applefest 2003, based on one of her quilts, little did she know how far the Applefest name would travel. Last year, her quilted wallhanging, entitled “Applefest,” was a semi-finalist and exhibited quilt at the American Quilter’s Society Show in Paducah, Ky. The quilt was seen by the editors of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine, who decided to feature it in their January-February 2006 issue. A full-color photo of the quilt was accompanied by assembly instructions and a block pattern. The quilt features an original block design of stylized apples, representing the orchards of the Warwick Valley. It was created using hand and machine piecing, hand applique, embroidery and quilting. The pieced outer border uses a variety of fabrics to add subtle impact. Hutchison has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and a master’s degree in communication design and printing from Rochester Institute of Technology. Before moving to Warwick in 1991, she worked for more than 10 years as an art director and designer at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology, developing instructional materials for hearing-impaired college students. She also worked in the institute’s public affairs office, and taught design courses to deaf and hearing college students, using voice and sign language. She is an active member of the Warwick Valley Quilters Guild, and creates contemporary, quilted wall-hangings and fabric-related objects. She is also on the guild’s planning committee for the quilt show to be held May 20 to 21 at Sanfordville Elementary School. As a quilter, graphic designer, and writer, her articles and work have appeared in several magazines. Hutchison’s design work has been recognized by professional design organizations. Her articles have been published in Print Magazine and NTID Focus, and her writing and fiber arts projects have been featured in Threads, and Quilting International Magazine. In addition, Hutchison is a co-advisor for the Warwick Valley High School Crew Club, in which her sons are coxswains; a merit badge leader for Boy Scout Troop 45; participates in the PTA; and is a member of the Friends of the Albert Wisner Library. She has contributed many designs for T-shirts, flyers, invitations, and printed materials to several local organizations. Hutchison lives in Warwick with her husband Evan and sons Ben, 17 and Will, 15.