Now displayed alongside the staircase to the second floor just inside the school’s entryway, a collection of Wolverine quilts that greet visitors are more than beautiful works of art — they are a heartfelt gift from Alderton and her family, created as a tribute to her retirement and to the school community she has served for decades.
After more than 30 years in education — most of them spent enriching the lives of Bayfield students — Alderton will retire at the end of this school year. As she began reflecting on that transition, the idea for a meaningful parting gift was born during one of her family’s treasured quilting retreats in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
“The women in my family are big quilters — my mom, aunts, cousins and daughter-in-law,” Alderton said. “We go to a quilting retreat in Ruidoso every three years or so. There is a lodge there with all the equipment we need, and there’s a fabric store right next to it.”
It was during one of those retreats, as retirement was beginning to feel real, that Alderton’s mother suggested creating something special for Bayfield Primary.
“We were there on one of our retreats when I started thinking about retirement, and my mom suggested we give a gift to the school from our family that reflects this family tradition,” Alderton said.
The idea felt like a perfect fit.
“Quilts brighten up our lives,” she said. “And somebody at BPS had even suggested we needed some quilts in that big white wall space.”
The project came together at the family’s next retreat, held a year ago last June. Though Alderton laughs that she is not the accomplished quilter many of her relatives are, she still played an important role.
“I personally am not a quilter, though I have quilted before,” she said. “What I usually do at the quilt retreats is cook for everyone.”
Her mother, despite losing much of her eyesight, remained central to the creative process.
“She doesn’t quilt anymore, but she can still see colors and knows so much about quilting,” Alderton said. “She helped me pick out the fabrics, talking me through the need for a balance of lights and darks.”
Quilting has long been woven into the family’s story. Alderton said every child and grandchild has received a handmade quilt from “Nana,” and each family member brings a different style to the craft.
“Some are very artistic, and others are more focused on known patterns combined with productivity,” she said with a smile. “The ones who tend to be more artsy — their quilts can sometimes take years to complete.”
For the Bayfield Primary project, several contributors created quilt squares, each adding their own personality and touch to the finished pieces, but the large majority of the squares were created by one aunt, Judy Hass. Judy also did all of the quilting and finish work.
“It was definitely a family effort. Some contributed by purchasing needed materials, others with fabric and design ideas, while others did the cutting, ironing and sewing,” Alderton said.
To make the quilts distinctly Bayfield, Alderton incorporated the school’s Wolverine pride into the design. She had Wolverine logos screen printed and carefully ironed them onto select squares, blending school spirit with family craftsmanship.
For Alderton’s family, each quilt block was intentionally chosen to tell part of Bayfield Primary’s story.
“I really enjoyed making these quilts,” Alderton’s Aunt Judy shared. “I tried to make sure that every block meant something and would represent Bayfield Primary School. I felt these quilt blocks celebrate the spirit of Colorado, the importance of education, and the values that shape young learners — friendship, curiosity, resilience and community. Each block carries its own meaning, but when stitched together, they create a visual story that reflects the heart of the school and the children who walk its halls.”
The Mountains block reflects Colorado’s dramatic landscape, symbolizing strength, resilience and the spirit of adventure. The School House block celebrates education as a welcoming place where children grow and build their futures.
The Paw Prints block adds playful school spirit, representing Bayfield’s Wolverine mascot and reminding students that every step forward is part of their learning journey. The Colorado block honors the school’s home state, reflecting local pride and the rugged beauty of the region.
The Friendship Star symbolizes kindness, connection and the way friendships radiate outward to create belonging, while the classic Nine Patch reminds viewers that individual pieces — like individual students — come together to create something stronger and more beautiful as a community.
The finished quilts now stand as both a welcoming centerpiece and a symbol of the care Alderton has poured into Bayfield Primary throughout her career.