Jessica Porter

They delight the eye with feathered wreathes, ornate borders and echo techniques integrated into increasingly complex overall designs.  But it’s not just quality that distinguishes the quilts finished by Jessica Porter of Hudson, Florida.  It’s their vast number.

As of May 2003, Jessica had personally finished nearly 300 quilts.  She had sent some 1,200 quilts to the families of servicemen and servicewomen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, thanks to the generosity of contributing quilters across the nation.  The effort is called Operation Homefront Quilt.  It’s her way of honoring the fallen and comforting their families.

At 21 years of age, Jessica has been quilting for the past five years.  Besides Operation Homefront Quilts – a full-time volunteer job by itself –  she is a student at Pasco Hernando Community College and works part time for a Florida state senator.

As busy as she is, quilting speed is obviously vital to her efforts.  Previously, she spent one to two days finishing a single lap-size quilt.  Now, since receiving a longarm machine donated by APQS, she spends just half an hour.  Some 600 to 700 unfinished quilt tops stored in her home await her attention.

Jessica has a fondness for traditional pieced and designed quilts.  She enjoys working with fabrics with historical reproductions.  Before turning her attention to quilting, she enjoyed creating reproduction clothing from the Civil War era. 

What does her future hold after school is completed?  She would like to apply the skills she has attained to become a professional quilter.  Or, pursue a career with the Florida legislature.  Whatever she chooses, her proven determination will make her successful.

Learn more about Operation Homefront Quilt.