During Pat’s Trunk Show, we learned things about Pat that we didn’t know before. Not things about her crafts so much, but her obvious talent as a Stand-up Comedian.
Pat Gomes started her show by unfolding a long yellow strip of paper containing her notes.
She was born a crafter in St. Paul. Before the age of five, she was in and out of the hospital many times. The most severe was when she fell out of a second story window as she leaned on the screen to look out at children playing below; the screen gave way. When she was in the hospital recovering from this, her mother brought her coloring books and crayons, which she shared with another little girl in the room. However, that girl left the next day, taking Pat’s book and crayons! At age seven, Pat was making paper flowers from Kleenex and a hairpin and selling them to neighbors for 2 cents each.
In 1955, Pat moved to California with her mother and sister. She was dating two guys, one during the day and one in the evening; she was engaged to one of them. Her mother suggested that she marry the one with the better job, which she did. Her husband dug graves for a living; the other man washed dishes.
Pat has a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. She worked for U.S. Windpower as an overhaul mechanic, repairing transmissions and brakes on wind-energy generating machines. She moved to a cabin in Arnold, where she raised her grandson from the time he was in second grade. He is now 26, married, and working at Big Trees Market in the produce section.
The first quilt she made by getting fabric and making enough blocks for a king-sized bed. When she finished piecing the blocks, she bought a king-sized blanket and a king-sized sheet and sewed the three layers together. It was very heavy. Her daughter-in-law told her that quilt ended up under her son’s car. Her husband is into old cars and has just given her a 1957 Ford as a present.
For a time, she raised poodles. She bought a male that had only one descended testicle; the vet recommended that she massage him to bring down the other one. She has shown Great Danes in dog show, switching from competitions based on confirmation to obedience trials.
She still looks for lost old men.
Pat displayed a collection of ribbons she had won at various fairs. She sometimes submitted her entries under her dog’s name. The crafts on the table included a wooden man and a variety of porcelain dolls (for which she has the molds): a life-sized baby doll, three small elderly women sitting on a bench together (labeled board/bored?) which won Viewer’ Choice, a Santa Claus, and an elegant witch. The wall beneath the clock at the end of the room had three quilts she had made and a shirt.
Five years ago, she had a stroke. The doctor told her husband, “She needs a hobby”. (Peals of laughter from the audience.) She had six months of speech and physical therapy.
One day, she drove by Hazel Fischer School and noticed all the cars parked by Independence Hall. She stopped in to find out what was going on and discovered IHQ. Although she considers herself to be a crafter, not a quilter, she greatly enjoys being a member of this group and she is always talking to other people about IHQ.
Pat apologized if she has offended anyone. “You guys made me crazy!” She finds that IHQ has changed her for the better; she is more outgoing and happier.
The audience enthusiastically applauded!
Written By IHQ’s Vida “Ace” Kenk
Photo provided by Edie Diegoli & Facebook
Independence Hall Quilters 