Quilting is the thread that has sewn the moments of Kathleen Moorhead Johnson's life into a rich tapestry.

"The first quilt I got published was for my son; his baby quilt," said Johnson of Alexander

She is an award winner at state fairs and her work is published in quilting books.

"I just love it," she said. "There's always a new fabric, a new color a new way of doing things."

Visitors can see Johnson's work by at the "All My Best: Quilts by Kathleen Moorhead Johnson" at Williston's James Memorial Art Center from now until Saturday. Although some may see quilting as a product of days long past, Johnson uses current technological advances to weave her whimsical patterns together.

"I use a computer to come up with the patterns and print out the patterns," she said.

What she loves most about quilting is the challenge.

"Part of the challenge is to see if I can do it or not," she said. "I want to try that new technique. That new pattern."

Johnson, 51, started sewing clothes at the beginning, but quickly switched to the more forgiving art of quilting.

"The thing about sewing clothes is it always has to fit your body," she said. "But quilts always fit your body."

She started quilting in 1984, when she saw a poster at a bank advertising a quilting class when she first moved to Watford City.

"I thought it would be a good way to meet people," she said.

Some people may enjoy intricate quilts hanging on the wall, never to be spread across the corners of a bed, but Johnson believes quilts are meant to be used.

"You're safe when you're wrapped up in the quilt," she said.

Quilting has also helped her piece together sadder times in her life.

In 1999, her son, Sean August Johnson, died in a car crash and quilting helped her to deal with her grief.

"My quilting was there," she said. "It was something I could hold onto."

She named her quilting business, August Wind Designs, after her son. She and her husband, Robert, have four more children, Reid, who is in high school, Keely, who lives in Fargo and Ben, who lives in Helena with his wife, Jackie and their granddaughters, Payge and Irelynn.

Johnson uses quilting to celebrate happy times in life.

"Most of my nieces and nephews get quilts when they're born, graduate and get married," she said.

Johnson also teaches a quilting at Williston's Bent Pin, with classes beginning in October. She reminds her students that a missed stitch isn't life or death.

"You just have to jump in and do it," she said.

The James Memorial Exhibit is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information call 701-774-3601 or visit Augustwindquiltdesigns.com.