The ‘Iolani Fair is fast approaching, and for 15 women — most in their 80s — that means a year of pattern-making, cutting, sewing and stitching is about to come to an end.

Working in a room overlooking the school’s athletic field that is filled with dozens of bins of colorful fabrics and quilting squares, the Grandparents Ohana is planning to finish 100 quilts in time to sell at the fair, scheduled for April 10 and 11. They usually sell out at prices between $100 and $300, with all the proceeds used to subsidize student travel expenses.

The group has been making quilts for the annual fair for the past 20 years.

"It’s fun. I have quilting stuff all over my house," said Micki Sasaki, 84, of Hono­lulu. The retired social worker has two great-grandsons who attend ‘Iolani. "We come for fellowship and end up with quilts."

Another quilter, 87-year-old Pearl City resident Ella Hasebe, said that after retiring as a computer operator in 1995, she was looking for an activity to do with folks with similar interests. She found the camaraderie she was looking for at the Grandparents Ohana, which meets Mondays to collaborate on pieces that are then typically finished at home.

Irene Baba, 80, of Kane­ohe, joined the group in 1998 when her granddaughter was an ‘Iolani student.

"My husband passed away, and my daughter suggested that I get involved. It’s been a good experience to meet all of the ladies here," she said.

Baba also enjoys the lunch that is part of their weekly gatherings. "We all share homemade goodies," she said.

The retired manager of the Hawaii Newspaper Agency credit union sews for the school fair during the first half of the year, and from June to December she makes quilts for the St. Anne’s Church Christmas Fair.

"All of my kids have a quilt. It’s a reminder of home," Baba said.

Two of the group’s quilts were displayed at Bishop Museum in 2000 as part of an exhibit showcasing local quilting traditions. In 2002 one of their pieces was displayed at the Mission Houses Museum’s 24th Annual Hawaiian Quilt Exhibition.

For more information on the ‘Iolani Fair, visit www.iolani­fair.org or call 943-2339.