Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is going to have plenty of aircraft featured at the Centennial of Naval Aviation — and some of them are made out of cloth. Seriously.

“We knew there were going to be lots of commemorative displays of all sorts,” said former Aviation Storekeeper Debra Staley, and owner of Quilters Workshop in downtown Oak Harbor. “Our group figured, ‘Why not create a quilt to honor this occasion?’

“What makes our quilt unique is the fabric,” said Staley. “It was created especially for the centennial, and features cut-out designs of former and current aircraft used at NAS Whidbey.

“You’ll notice both old and new,” she said. “There are even some Marine Corps aircraft featured.”

Also visible are aircraft schematic designs, contributed by Staley’s husband. The group transferred the schematics from book to paper to fabric.

Staley credits fellow quilt-maker Kathy Vass, head of Human Resources on NAS Whidbey, with the quilt idea. They, and other members of the nonprofit quilt guild, Whidbey Island Treasuremakers, contributed materials and labor.

Aviation-style motifs, such as the “Flying Geese” formation, adorn the quilt. Colors of red, white, and blue, are featured prominently.

It seems fitting such a quilt would bear the name “Jet-Stream.”

It is fitting also, said Staley, that the quilters for this project are all current or former military members. Their group also includes retired Navy Cmdr. Mary Stewart, Cmdr. Jean Lord, Petty Officer William Lord and Sue Justus.

Other quilts will also be on display, said Vass. A traveling quilt exhibit, which has already been all over the country, will be on display in Haviland Hangar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday during the centennial event. The display features 12 quilts created in a Navy quilting challenge. The entries were divided into four different trunks which have been making the rounds of centennial events around the country.

Whidbey Island Treasuremakers is involved in other endeavors as well.

“One other thing we do is the Wounded Warrior project,” said Staley. “Being prior military ourselves gives us a soft spot for fellow sailors and soldiers,” she said.

Although the final stitches have been sewn, it still lacks something, said Staley: The personal autographs of pilots, aircrew and others who worked with these aircraft.

“We want to invite lots of former and current pilots and aircrew to come by the quilt display area and sign this quilt,” said Staley. “It won’t be complete until we have their signatures.”