Large quilt show displays women s handiwork
More than 100 pieces of the folk art were on display Saturday in Marion at the Quilts Across The Prairie 2006 Quilt Show, sponsored by the Country Stitchers Quilt Guild, made up of members from Marion, Hillsboro, Lehigh, and Lincolnville.
An estimated 80 people attended the event, in conjunction with the Chingawassa Days celebration.
The drawing held for a quilted wall-hanging was won by Gemma Davies of Marion.
The show, which takes place once every three years, is like the Olympics for quilters in the guild, who displayed at least 40 full-size quilts and another 60 or more smaller items.
"We always would like more interest, because it is a lot of work to set up," said Charlene Driggers, club president.
"We worked all day on Friday, hanging the frames. But the group was so good, they stayed all day Saturday, I didn't have to beg for that, because they just like each other so much."
In addition to Riggers, other guild officers include Mary Lancaster, vice president; Jan Meisinger, treasurer; and Vickie Kraus, secretary.
These women lead a 30-member organization whose members, in addition to hosting quilt shows, also have made lap throws for nursing home residents, baby quilts for children born to unwed mothers, wall-hangings for the hospital, and last year sent 19 quilts to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Membership is open to anyone who is interested in quilts and quilting. The guild meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Hillsboro United Methodist Church.
