Quilter or textile artist? No matter what you call her, Beverly Kenny is a master at her craft. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
Kenny takes quilting to the next level; she is a textile artist. She takes fabric pieces and creates a work of art, whether it is a quilt or a purse.
“I’ve been quilting since I was 11. I created my first purse for myself. And soon I had requests for similar purses,” she said,
Kenny, an avid quilter, quilts for fun and for charity.
“I have probably made 500 quilted purses of all styles and fabrics,” she said.
Kenny’s quilted handbags are made out of brightly colored cotton quilting fabrics. The bags are made in all sorts of fabrics, colors, and styles. Any purse style can be made out of quilted fabric, from small clutches to diaper bags.
“I go on the hunt all over to find my fabric. Not just stores.” Kenny said.
“My biggest order was from a man who wanted 100 purses with different kind of prints,” she said. “I also participate in the Sun City craft fair each year.”
Kenny’s purses are made with from a variety of materials, such as cottons, Japanese linens, vintage tablecloths, and other unique sources.
“I love to make the purses that carry a lot and have a lot of pockets,” she said.
Kenny also contributes her skills to Shepherd of the Prairie’s in Huntley to distribute quilts around the world.
Kenny is creative, but with a mission.
“I also am involved in with Quilts of Valor,” she said. “Our goal is to show our appreciation and gratitude to veterans had served.”
