COOKSBURG, Pa. –   You could say Danny Woodfill doesn’t look like a stereotypical quilter. 

Standing at well over six feet tall, he is a Marine who served five tours of duty overseas.

“I got into sewing because it calms my mind and helps with the PTSD,” Danny explained.  “I don’t have the bad dreams anymore.”

Danny recently dropped off four quilts at the Sawmill Center to be entered in the center’s annual Quilt Show on August 18 and 19.

Danny served as a Marine from 1986 through 2006 and fought in Dessert Storm, Afghanistan and places so classified he cannot even tell.  During his final tour, he broke his back, which is now held together with six screws and two rods.

His quilts often have a patriotic theme and pay tribute to the armed forces; however, one quilt brought to the Sawmill has Disney princesses on it.

“Hey, I have kids, too,” he said with a proud smile.

Sawmill Center for the Arts Programs Manager Christine Hendryx (foreground), Jamie Woodfill (back left), and Danny Woodfill (back right).

Danny lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife, Jamie, and the two are regular visitors to the Cook Forest area.

Like Danny, Jamie is also an avid quilter. In fact, she has taught quilting classes at the Sawmill Art Center for the past two years.  She has a class on t-shirt quilts scheduled August 23 through 25.

Danny’s quilts will be on display this weekend at the Sawmill, along with many others from area artisans.  A $2.00 admission fee will allow the public to view these amazing works of art.  Some will be available for purchase.

The Sawmill Center for the Arts is a non-profit organization dedicated to instructing, preserving and honoring the arts.  Located at 140 Theatre Lane in Cook Forest State Park, the center offers art classes, live theatre performances and a bountiful craft market, full of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items.