the gilmores

Every summer, the Gilmore siblings busy themselves in the family’s crafting studio above the garage, preparing their entries for the State Fair. All three kids, two sisters and one brother, are working away at the same hobby — quilting.

“I like it when older ladies come up to me and say how they love that young people are quilting. It’s kind of nice,” says Jane Gilmore, 20.

An Ursuline Academy graduate who attends Northwestern University majoring in biochemistry, Jane still spends summers at home, quilting with her sister Linda, 16, and her brother John, 18. They each create their own pieces for the fair.

Last year, Linda took first place in the juniors division, and John came in second. Jane also has come away with first-, second- and third-place prizes during the past eight years. Their mother, Linda Burk, turned the kids on to quilting as way to express their creativity.

“These are complex patterns, almost like puzzles,” Burk says. “It’s getting them to think outside the box.”

Quilting may not be the hottest trend among young people, but Jane is proud of her work.

“It gives me another reason to go to the fair. I like to go with my friends and say, ‘Hey, let’s go see what’s going on in the Creative Arts Building.’ I get to show off a bit.”